Pasta Red! (using my favorite ingredient - Peppadews)

Pasta Red!

Pasta Red! is versatile.

Pasta Red! is easy.

Pasta Red! is another quickie throw-together using my favorite lesser-known ingredient.. Peppadews. You may recall my mentioning them here, here, and here and don't be surprised if you see a poem or 'ode to them' at some point, too. I'm just forewarning you now, so you won't be surprised, or think I'm weird or something crazy like that.

Anyhoo, this is something super simple to throw together and leftovers are great as a cold salad to take in your lunch the next day.

sliced peppadews and a few other "red" things to go in the pasta

This is so easy, in fact, I'll just post a list of ingredients and simple instructions below and you can tailor this to suit your needs.

Ingredients:

Any kind of pasta you like (I used organic whole wheat fusilli bucati), cooked according to package directions and drained

Extra-virgin olive oil

Peppadews (the hot ones), sliced

Red onion, chopped

Vine-ripened cherry tomatoes, whole

Fresh garlic, minced

Pepperoni, cut into bite size pieces

Kosher salt to taste

Fresh cracked black pepper to taste

Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, shaved (or you could use grated, but either way I recommend Parmigiano Reggiano - if you have access to it and if your budget allows, it's well worth the money)

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the oil. Then add peppadews, tomatoes, garlic, and pepperoni and saute for a couple of minutes until tomatoes are about to burst.

Next add the cooked pasta to the pan, stir, and add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat, top with Parmigiano Reggiano and serve immediately (or refrigerate if you'd rather have a cold salad).