I Love Basil

I planted a TON of basil in my garden this year. I hope the kids and Nate don't get tired of basil any time soon. ;) I thought I would post a few of my favorite recipes using basil.

Angel Hair Pasta with Tomatoes

Ingredients:	8 oz dried angel hair (or other pasta. I use the multigrain kind) 1 T. plus 1/3 c. extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil 3 T. chopped fresh Italian parsley 2 T. minced fresh garlic 2 T. minced shallots 1 1/2 lbs. fresh tomatoes, diced 1 cup coarsely crumbled feta cheese (I use 1/2 cup of reduced-fat feta) 1/2 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese 1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted 1/4 c. shaved Parmesan cheese Salt to taste
Directions:	Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Stir in the pasta and cook al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid. Toss the hot pasta in a large bowl with 1 T. olive oil to prevent sticking. Set the pasta and reserved cooking liquid aside. Heat the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil in a deep, large nonstick frying pan over high heat. Add the basil, parsley, garlic and shallots and stir just until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add the tomatoes and saute just until they are heated through, about 45 seconds. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the salt, to taste ( go easy, remember cheeses have a lot of salt). Stir in the feta and the shredded Parm. Add the pasta and toss gently to combine, adding some of the reserved cooking liquid to moisten, if necessary. Mound the pasta on a large platter and sprinkle with pine nuts and shaved Parm, if desired, and serve immediately.