6 Recipes For A Perfect Cookout

Roasted Pepper Pasta(4 of 6)

Ingredients

• Kosher salt
• 12 ounces mezzi rigatoni or other short tube-shaped pasta
• 2 bell peppers (red and/or yellow), halved, stemmed and seeded
• 6 cloves garlic, unpeeled
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 lemon
• 8 ounces bocconcini balls
• 1 bunch fresh basil, leaves torn
• Freshly ground pepper

Preparation

1. Preheat the broiler.
2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
3. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs.
4. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Shake off the excess water.
5. Meanwhile, place the bell peppers cut-side down on a foil-lined broiler pan, add the garlic and broil until charred, 7 to 8 minutes.
6. Transfer the peppers to a bowl, cover and set aside about 5 minutes.
7. Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat.
8. Add the almonds and toast, shaking the pan, 4 to 5 minutes. Let cool, then chop.
9. Put garlic on cutting board. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt; mince and mash the garlic into a paste with a large knife.
10. Peel the roasted peppers and slice into strips; transfer to a large bowl.
11. Add the garlic paste and drizzle with the olive oil.
12. Finely grate about 1 teaspoon lemon zest into the bowl and squeeze in all of the lemon juice.
13. Add the bocconcini balls, basil, almonds, pasta, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste; toss.