Pasta w/ smoked mozzarella, asparagas & dried tomatoes

 
           Pasta w/ Smoked Mozzarella, Asparagas & Dried Tomatoes
 
 Recipe By     : Country Living, May 1995
 Serving Size  : 6    Preparation Time :0:00
 Categories    : Pasta                            Vegetables
 
   Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
 --------  ------------  --------------------------------
    1      cup           warm water
      1/2  cup           dried tomatoes, sliced into strips
      3/4  lb            asparagus, cut diagonally 1" pcs
    1      12 oz pkg     farfale (bowtie pasta)
    2      tablespoons   olive oil
    1      small         onion, chopped
    2      cloves        garlic, finely chopped
    1      tablespoon    fresh thyme leaves (or 1 t dried)
      1/4  teaspoon      salt
      1/4  lb            smoked mozzarella, cut in sm. cubes
 
 Soak dried tomato strips in the cup of warm water for 3-5 min until they
 begin to soften.  Drain and reserve the liquid.
 
 Heat 5" of water to boiling in large saucepot.  Add the asparagus and cook
 3 min. until tender but still crisp.  Remove to a bowl and set aside.
 
 In the same of pot of boiling water, cook the pasta. While it's cooking:
 
 Heat 1 T olive oil over med. heat; add onion & saute 5 min.  Reduce heat to
 low; add garlic & saute 3 min.  Stir in tomato liquid, asparagus, thyme
 leaves & salt.  Cook for 5 min.
 
 Drain pasta; return it to the pot and toss with remaining 1 T olive oil.
 Place on serving platter and top with tomato-asparagus mixture and
 mozzarella.  Serve immediately; or to serve cold, cool to room temperature,
 cover & refrigerate.
 
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