Roasted Cherry Tomato, Bacon, Parmesan Pasta

We had a great dinner last night, so I thought I’d share dinner and a bit more with you.

 

I’m tempted to make the very same dinner tonight.

Today, I’m actually home . . . listening to the sound of the pitter patter of rain drops, hitting my dirty windows.  It seems that clean windows are only a one week delight. Crisp fall air circulates through the house in the evenings and I’m loving it. The Raspberries, corn, beans and several other vegetables have said good-bye for a season and I’ve wished them a fond farewell! Deer tracks, are deeply rooted in the garden and this is a sure sign of winter’s chill quickly upon us.

The potatoes and carrots are still under-ground, as we dig what we need right before each meal. Perfect reds & russets, will soon need a new home for their winters rest.  It’s nice to have spuds tucked away but easily in reach. Let’s face it though . . . I live in Idaho!  Potatoes will soon be dug and piled high and stored in cellars or shipped to grocery stores. If I run out, I believe I know where to find some. I’m still picking tomatoes.  It seems I buy 4 or 5 plants and somehow my husband plants 500!  Every year, I have far more than we need. My kids like Salsa & pasta sauce, but they don’t enjoy biting into a good juicy tomato. I still can’t figure that out.  The canner has been busy, but I’m  looking forward to wishing it a fond farewell . . . and moving it along, to the depths of the basement.

So . . . some of you have asked.  Where have you been?  What are you doing?  Why aren’t you posting as often as you did?

Multi-tasking used to be my middle name, but somehow . . . just like my windows . . . it’s not beaming very brightly!

In the warm summer time, the darn garden and our large yard requires a lot of time. I’m also a clean freak and house comes before blog.  After all, what would the neighbors think!

I also have a church calling which requires a good amount of time and of course . . . I have a family . . . parents & siblings . . . a perfect husband . . . four beautiful daughters and 10 grandchildren.

I don’t often get into the nitty gritty of life’s things. I just cook and bake and blog for the world to see. My life is certainly a happy one, and I’m very blessed, but like all of you challenges and trials do arise within our families. None of us are immune. If you think that the family down the road never has a hiccup . . . you’re probably wrong!

Everyone has a story.

a few things . . .

My Dad has been enduring a battle with Cancer, but his attitude and strength are getting him through and things are looking up.  My sweet Mom, has Macular Degeneration which has caused the loss of vision in one eye and she is fighting to keep the vision in the other.  My youngest sister is currently waiting for a Kidney Transplant as we speak.  Jamie is just 38 years old and has Polycystic Kidney Disease.  We were all hoping and praying that one of the 5 siblings could and would be a match for her, but it just wasn’t in the cards. There are so many tests that have to be passed, and many requirements to be met, even if you are a blood match.  I believe that the “force of prayers” is heard, and she’ll find a match soon. She lives in the Utah area.  More than ever, we realize the gift & importance of donors.

I don’t think I’ve ever told you, that one of my  own daughters has Epilepsy.  At the age of about 2 months old, she had her first seizure. She has suffered with seizures and treatments & meds ever since, and she is now 29 yrs. old, and still fighting that battle with grace! Two beautiful, healthy little girls abide at their home, and life doesn’t miss a beat. School has now started, and one of those little girls is four, and in pre-school and dance.  You see . . . Seizures take away the ability to drive.  That’s pretty tough for a Mom with kids, or anyone for that matter.  I’m happy to be their driver, along with her wonderful mother-in-law, whom always loves my daughter.

Life . . . it just keeps coming.  I love this crazy blog, but I love my family much more.  You’ll just have to be patient with me.  I’m slow.

 

This dish is so simple to throw together, on one of “those” days.  I cut the cherry tomatoes in half using clean – kitchen scissors.  It worked like a charm.  You can also leave the tomatoes whole if you choose.  I didn’t have fresh Parsley, so I added dried Parsley, and tossed it with the olive oil and other ingredients before placing on a small cookie sheet.

Be careful with the hot pepper flakes, if you’re not one who loves a bit of heat.  You could just use the black pepper instead.  I used both, and enjoyed every bite. Fifteen minutes at 450 degrees was just perfect.  Remove the pan from the oven, then pre-heat the broiler.  Place tray of tomatoes back in the oven under the broiler, just until you see little brown blisters on some of the wrinkled tomatoes!

Note:  If you don’t feel like Pasta, this is also really good on Crusty grilled Chibatta or French Bread with a generous amount of Parmesan shavings sprinkled on top.  Butter, season and grill your bread. Top with the tomatoes, and make sure you get a generous amount of the olive oil mixture on the bread as well. Sprinkle or grate the Parmesan cheese over the top of the tomato mixture. Place back under the broiler for a minute or two, so that the Parmesan can melt just a wee bit.  Serve this bread with a nice big side salad and you have the perfect meal.

When I make this again, I plan to add pieces of rotisserie chicken or even diced ham.  That would be scrumptious!  It’s easy.  It’s  fast.  It’s really good.

You must like tomatoes though.

 

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