Recipe: Flash-Sautéed Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce

Makes about 2 ½ cups.

Note: The sauce loses its vibrancy after a few hours, so use it as soon as possible after making it. This sauce is a pleasure simply tossed with penne and a handful of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. But it's also delicious on grilled polenta or grilled fish. From "Modern Sauces: More Than 150 Recipes for Every Cook, Every Day," by Martha Holmberg.

• 1/3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 tbsp. minced, seeded jalapeño, serrano or other fresh hot chile or peperoncino

• Kosher salt

• 5 c. ripe cherry tomatoes, stemmed and halved if large

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice, plus more if needed

• 3 tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, basil or mint, or a mixture

• 1 tsp. unsalted butter

Directions

In a large sauté pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chili and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and cook, stirring often, until soft and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring often, until they begin to burst and release their juice, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds or so, then stir in the lemon zest and juice. Remove the pan from the heat, add the parsley and butter, and swirl the pan to blend them into the sauce. Taste and balance the seasoning with salt and lemon juice if needed. Serve immediately.

Calories52Fat2 gSodium11 mg

Carbohydrates8 gSaturated fat1 gCalcium24 mg

Protein2 gCholesterol2 mgDietary fiber2 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1 vegetable, ½ fat.

Serves 4.

• Kosher salt

• 1 lb. angel hair pasta

• 2 1/2 c. Flash-Sautéed Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce (see recipe), heated

• 2 (6-oz.) cans good-quality tuna packed in oil, drained and flaked

• 1/2 c. pitted green olives such as Lucques or Castelvetrano

• 1/4 c. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, or other fresh herbs

Directions

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta, stir, and cook until just shy of al dente (about 1 minute less than the package instructions). Just before the pasta is ready, scoop out about 1/2 cup of the cooking water and set aside. Drain the pasta.

Return the pasta to the pot over medium heat. Add the tomato sauce and toss to coat evenly. Fold in the tuna, olives and capers, and then fold in a few spoonfuls of reserved pasta water to create a nice saucy consistency.

Divide the pasta among warmed pasta bowls and sprinkle with the parsley. Serve right away.

Calories744Fat14 gSodium1,080 mg

Carbohydrates110 gSaturated fat3 gCalcium78 mg

Protein43 gCholesterol16 mgDietary fiber10 g