---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.02

     Title: ZITI WITH FRESH TOMATO-OLIVE SAUCE
Categories: Veggie, Pasta
     Yield: 8 servings

     8 oz Ziti or mostaccioli pasta
     2 tb Olive oil
     2 tb Balsamic vinegar
     4    Cloves garlic, minced
   1/3 c  Thinly sliced fresh basil
   1/2 c  Pitted kalamata olives -OR-
     4 oz Cn sliced & pitted black
          -Olives, drained
     1 ts Drained capers, optional
   1/2 ts Crushed red pepper flakes
     4 lg Tomatoes, halved crosswise
     4 oz Goat cheese crumbled or
   1/4 c  Parmesan cheese
          Salt & pepper to taste

 Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile
 in a large serving bowl, combine the oil, vinegar,
 garlic, basil, olives, capers and red pepper flakes.
 Place a strainer over the serving bowl; squeeze the
 juice from the tomato halves into strainer. (Push on
 seeds with back of a wooden spoon to extract tomato
 liquid.) Discard the seeds. Coarsely chop tomatoes and
 add to olive mixture; toss well. Drain pasta and add
 to the bowl; toss well. Sprinkle with cheese if
 desired.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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