Wednesday, July 22, 2015

BLT Pasta with Goat Cheese

BLT Pasta with Goat Cheese

Garden-fresh produce lightens this summery dish

Vine-ripened tomatoes—with their deep, savory flavor—are one of the glories of summer. And they work well in so many dishes.

We particularly like to pair them with bacon and lettuce, as in the classic BLT sandwich. Or BLT Salad.

But sometimes we want a more substantial main course. Something we can serve hot, but that doesn’t require too much cooking on sultry summer days.

Enter BLT Pasta with Goat Cheese. This simple dish has restaurant-quality flavor, and cooks in minutes. It’s so good we’ve already added it to our recipe rotation. We bet you’ll agree—so get those meal planners revved.


BLT Pasta with Goat Cheese

Recipe: BLT Pasta with Goat Cheese

Our veggie garden has been producing succulent tomatoes for a couple of weeks now. But even if you don’t have home-grown tomatoes available, every farmers’ market has bushels of them for sale during the summer. And many supermarkets offer locally grown tomatoes when they’re in season.

This dish is similar in concept to Pasta Caprese, though the flavorings are quite different. And this recipe calls for briefly cooking most of the non-pasta ingredients, including the lettuce.

We first heard about sautéd lettuce via Grace Young back in the 1990s. But we thought no more about it until we saw a recipe for stir-fried romaine lettuce on Bobbi’s terrific blog, Bam’s Kitchen, a few months ago. Since then, we’ve been itching to use the technique in a recipe.

Exact measurements are not crucial for this dish, so feel free to vary ingredient quantities to suit your taste. But the flavor of the tomatoes is very important, so you want to use only the ripest.

Prep time for this dish is about 10 minutes, with cooking time adding another 15 minutes or so. We’ve written the recipe as we prepare it (we perform some of the prep and cooking simultaneously). If you don’t like to juggle things, we suggest an alternate procedure in the Notes.

This dish serves 2 to 3 as a main course, twice that many if you treat it as a starter (though we think it works better as a main).

Ingredients
  • 8 ounces dried pasta (any shape will do, though we prefer something with character, like farfalle—butterfly shaped—or rotini or shells; may substitute fresh pasta—see Notes)
  • ~1½ tablespoons Kosher salt for the pasta water (a tablespoon if using regular table salt; see Notes)
  • ½ pound sliced bacon, or a bit less
  • 1 garlic clove (or more to taste)
  • ~8 ounces tomatoes (we like cherry or grape tomatoes, but any variety will do; see Notes)
  •  ½ to ¾ pound lettuce, preferably something with both texture and crunch, like Little/Sweet Gem (see Notes for substitutions)
  • ~4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (see Notes)
  • ~2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
  • additional Kosher salt to taste (maybe half a teaspoon; see Notes)
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste (maybe ¼ teaspoon; see Notes)
Procedure
  1. Fill a 4-quart (or larger) cooking pot half full with water. Bring to a boil. Measure out the pasta. Measure out 1½ tablespoons Kosher salt for the pasta water (but don’t add it yet).
  2. While the water is coming to a boil, cut the bacon into ½-inch pieces. Place the bacon pieces in a cold frying pan, and then put the pan over medium stovetop heat. Sauté the bacon until it’s nicely browned—this typically takes around 8 minutes for us, but your time may vary by a couple of minutes one way or the other. Stir the bacon occasionally so it doesn’t burn.
  3. While the bacon is browning and the pasta water is coming to a boil, prep the other ingredients. First, peel the garlic and cut it into fine mince. Set aside. 
  4. Then wash and dry the tomatoes. If using cherry or grape tomatoes, cut them in half. If using larger tomatoes, cut them into chunks of 1 inch or a bit less. Set aside.
  5. Wash and dry the lettuce. Cut it into chunks of 2 inches or so. Set aside. 
  6. If you bought goat cheese in chunk form rather than pre-crumbled (see Notes), crumble the goat cheese finely. Set aside.
  7. By now, the pasta water is probably boiling. Add the salt to the water, then add the pasta. Stir the pasta so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Return the water to a brisk simmer, then cook the pasta until it’s al dente (usually 7 minutes or so). Or cook the pasta according to package directions if you prefer (they almost always call for more time than is really needed).
  8. Once the the bacon is browned, remove it from the pan with a slotted spoon. Drain the bacon pieces on a plate covered with paper towels. Pour most of the bacon grease out of the frying pan, leaving about 2 tablespoons. Add the extra virgin olive oil to the frying pan. Heat the pan for a minute or so until the oil is hot, then add the chopped garlic. Sauté the garlic for 30 seconds, then add the tomatoes. Sauté the tomatoes for 3 or 4 minutes (they should be barely cooked, but not broken down).
  9. Add the lettuce to the frying pan. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sauté the lettuce for 30 seconds, stirring once or twice, then turn off the burner and remove the pan from the heat. Set the pan aside—the lettuce will continue to cook and soften from the heat of the pan. (This procedure produces lettuce that is somewhat wilted, but still retains good crunch. You can cook the lettuce longer, but we don’t advise it; the lettuce will break down, and its texture won’t be as good.)
  10. The pasta should be done by this point. Remove the pasta cooking pot from the stovetop and reserve about one cup of the cooking water. Drain the pasta into a colander. Add the drained pasta back to the empty cooking pot, then pour the contents of the frying pan over it. Add the crumbled goat cheese, and stir to incorporate all the ingredients. Add enough reserved pasta water to make a bit of a sauce (you’ll probably need ¼ to ½ cup; or use additional EVOO for the sauce, if you prefer). Serve.
BLT Pasta with Goat Cheese

Notes
  • As written, this recipe requires you to juggle several things at once. If you don’t want to feel rushed, do all the prep work ahead. Then while the pasta water is heating (Step 1), you can sauté the bacon (Step 2). When the bacon is cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside while you cook the pasta (Step 7). About 5 minutes before the pasta is done cooking, place the frying pan back on stovetop heat, sauté the garlic (Step 8), and continue with the recipe.
  • If you use fresh pasta in this dish, remember that it cooks very quickly (usually in a minute or two), so adjust the timing of the recipe accordingly.
  • What kind of lettuce to use in this recipe? We like Little Gem (also known as Sweet Gem). This variety is a hybrid combo of romaine, sweet butter, and iceberg lettuces. It looks like miniature romaine lettuce and has wonderful flavor. It also has a bit more crunch than romaine (which BTW would be a good substitute in this recipe).
  • You could also substitute spinach or leaf lettuce. If you do that, add it to the frying pan, then remove the pan from the heat immediately—both of these greens wilt quickly.
  • Fresh, ripe tomatoes are the star of this dish, so feel free to add more than we specify.  Our garden is producing loads of cherry tomatoes, so that’s what we used. But any fully ripe tomato will work.
  • What if you don’t have access to ripe, in-season tomatoes from your own vegetable garden or a local farmers’ market? Supermarket grape or cherry tomatoes usually have decent flavor year-round and are a good substitute.
  • Bacon also plays an important role in this dish, so make sure you use good quality. We always go for a premium brand when we make this recipe. If you can find bacon made by a small local producer, it’s likely to be excellent.
  • Make sure the goat cheese you use has been finely crumbled—it blends in better that way, and helps make a light sauce. Our grocery store offers containers of goat cheese that have been pre-crumbled, and that’s what we use. Or you could buy a chunk of goat cheese and crumble it up with a pair of forks.
  • For a bit of extra zip, you might want to add some red pepper flakes to this dish. Add them in Step 8, when you sauté the garlic.
  • Fresh basil also goes well in this dish. If you’d like to add it: Mince 3 or 4 tablespoons of fresh basil, then add it right at the end, when you add the goat cheese.
  • Kosher salt is less salty by volume than regular table salt, so you need more of it (a larger measure) in recipes. 
  • How much salt and black pepper to use? Whatever tastes good to you. We provide suggested measurements, but in truth we rarely season any dish the same way twice. Just taste and adjust, and it’ll be good. If in doubt, use less; you can always add more at table.
BLT Pasta with Goat Cheese

Victory at Garden

“This is one of the best dishes you’ve made in months,” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “And we’re using our own tomatoes. We finally managed to harvest some before the squirrels got to them!”

“I think I’ve finally thwarted those pesky rodents,” I said. “By using one of the protective tomato cages I built last year—the ones with heavy-duty plastic netting.”

“Of course, the squirrels chewed right through that,” said Mrs K R. “Then they took a bite out of each tomato—and tossed the rest aside.”

“Well, this year I covered the plastic with a new layer of wire netting,” I said. “They haven’t managed to get through that. Pretty sharp, wouldn't you say?”

“OK, but just how much have you spent altogether on anti-squirrel devices?” asked Mrs K R. “By my calculation, these tomatoes must be costing us $25 a pound. Or more.”

“Hey, these tomatoes are a true delight,” I said. “You can’t put a price on happiness!”

“Or on bragging rights,” said Mrs K R. “When you finally outwit squirrels.”

You may also enjoy reading about:
BLT Salad
Pasta Caprese
Summer Pasta Salad
Pesto Pasta
Pasta Puttanesca
Tuna Pasta Salad
Pasta, Bean, and Tuna Salad
Or check out the index for more recipes

104 comments:

Jamie said...

I love this. This is how I love to eat all summer long... sometimes replacing the goat cheese with feta. But I love that you added bacon. Perfect pasta dish.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jamie, feta would be terrific in this! Thanks for the comment.

Pat@savorthebest.com said...

Ahh....perfect for these hot summer days! I love goat cheese in anything, thanks. I'm looking forward to trying this :)

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

I think you have just managed to take the guilt out of BLT, great salad and love the added goat cheese. Wish I could grow tomatoes. I have tried on my balcony floor 18 lots wind: no success.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pat, goat cheese is so good, isn't it? One of our favorite cheeses! And works quite well in this. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Evelyne, this really is a sane BLT. Wonderful flavor! Bummer about not being able to grow tomatoes, although they can be a real pain sometimes. Those squirrels! ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Sue/the view from great island said...

I have no self control when it comes to bacon, and this sounds like the ultimate pasta salad to me --- the only problem is, your portions are WAAAAAY too small!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sue, those really are quite small portions in the pictures! Easier to photograph. ;-) And we lose all self control well it comes to bacon, too! Thanks for the comment.

Barbara | Creative Culinary said...

I've done a much simpler version with just pasta, tomatoes and bacon but this I must try; the goat cheese especially! I'm starving now. All your fault. :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Barbara, so many things you can do with tomato and bacon, aren't there? All of them good! Thanks for the comment.

Sippity Sup said...

I try to never calculate the cost of homegrown produce! I grow the worlds most expensive basil by the way. GREG

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Greg, yeah, figuring the $$ cost of homegrown stuff can lead to madness. Our basil always seems to do remarkably well -- grows with no trouble at all, Go figure. Thanks for the comment.

lisa is cooking said...

I'm so jealous of your homegrown tomatoes! I bring them home from the farmers' market by the bagful. And, they're so good with pasta! What a great idea with this dish.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lisa, they're great! The cherry tomatoes are the winners this year. The other varieties are OK -- but we've had so much weird weather, including way too much rain at times, that we're getting some root rot, etc. :-( Cherry tomatoes are primo, though! Thanks for the comment.

Ansh said...

Home grown tomatoes! Mine got ruined by the excessive rains we had. I have only mint this year. Nothing seems to destroy that :))

you are right, You can’t put a price on happiness and yes you can brag! Especially about the goat cheese BLT pasta. Lovely Recipe.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ansh, we've been getting some tomatoes from all of our plants, although many aren't all that productive because of the rain we've had. But the cherry tomatoes are producing exceptionally well! Thanks for the comment.

Hotly Spiced said...

How lovely to be harvesting your own tomatoes and what a joy to get to them before the rodents! I do love how colourful and simple this past is and it certainly has a great combination of ingredients. I probably would take on one task at a time as I don't like to juggle too many elements at once or I'm reaching for the gin! xx

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Charlie, I like juggling multiple steps at the same time, although sometimes it has me thinking of reaching for the gin bottle too! This really is a fun dish -- good looks, IMO, and terrific flavor. Thanks for the comment.

Unknown said...

That's a great pasta. My little one is a big bacon fan, The moment I turn, he puts it on a skillet and gets the brother to help crisp it, enjoys it. He would love this. Goat cheese and feta are 2 of my favorites, I know I would love this one. .

Fran @ G'day Souffle' said...

You've presented me with a new idea- fried lettuce- will have to try it! It seems to me you mentioned those squirrels in a previous blog post- I love hearing about the conflict with the squirrels and their potential annihilation!

Unknown said...

We used to grow tomatoes in Texas and here too but not this year. The birds in Texas would peck at everyone of the tomatoes. We were never able to harvest one that didn't have a pesky beak mark. Finally we put up a net and shiny CDs to distract.
There's nothing like homegrown fresh tomatoes when you can beat the squirrels and birds! Otherwise, the markets it is. I get mine from the farm or Whole Foods when they have the local ones.
So good! This is a perfect way to highlight the tomatoes. Lovely summery recipe!

Rachel (Rachel's Kitchen NZ) said...

Oh, lucky you to be eating home grown tomatoes - its the middle of winter here - so they are not on the menu at the moment but this certainly looks a fabulous dish for when they are back in season - thanks John.

Anna @ shenANNAgans said...

So jelly you are enjoying delicious home grown tomatoes. I reckon the taste of food you have produced is the BEST. Gonna get my tomato on this summer for sure. :)

Loving this delightful BLT pasta, we turned a nicoise into a pasta salad the other night, will add this beauty to the list for sure. Although, hows the texture of the wilted lettuce?

Jasline @ Foodie Baker said...

How I wish I can grow my own crops and herbs too! I only have a mint and coriander plant growing in my balcony right now. But luckily the tomatoes sold by my local grocer is really sweet as well, perfect for this delicious pasta!

Tricia @ Saving room for dessert said...

I used to know a woman who put lettuce in a casserole before baking - and it tasted good but was reduced to almost nothing. This is completely different and sounds wonderful. A perfect summer dish with garden fresh vegetables. We're loving our heirloom tomatoes this year. Have a great weekend!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Asha, it really is good stuff. Sounds like your kids would love it! ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Fran, yeah, those squirrels have been our nemesis for quite awhile! Can't believe we've permanently defeated them, though -- they're tricky! And always hungry, so always scheming. But we won this round! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Nazneen, critters are fun to look at, but they can make gardening hard! Of course I'm sure they look at us as the intruders, trying to take what's rightfully theirs. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Rachel, it'll be summer there soon enough -- when our gardens are covered in snow! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anna, never thought to turn a nicoise salad into a pasta one, but it makes a lot of sense -- will have to try that! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jasline, our mint is like a weed -- wants to grow everywhere! But it's good, so we don't really mind. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Tricia, you can cook the lettuce in this dish a lot longer than we suggest, but it'll lose its crunch (and become a bit slimy, too). So we suggest minimal cooking -- it'll wilt enough from the residual pan heat, and of course when you mix it with the hot pasta. Thanks for the comment.

Denise Browning@From Brazil To You said...

Did you say goat cheese? Yes, please! I love the idea of a BLT pasta... and how easy and quick is to prepare this delicious meal.

Rocquie said...

This sounds perfect and delicious. I haven't seen any Sweet Gem lettuce, so I might try this with spinach and feta. Thanks for another great recipe. --Rocquie

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Denise, this really is a quick dish. And so tasty! We love it. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Rocquie, spinach would be great with this dish! In fact that was our original concept, until I decided I really want some "crunch" in the dish. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Pam said...

Now that's my kind of pasta salad! It looks AWESOME!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, it really is an awesome dish. :-) Thanks for the comment.

GiGi Eats Celebrities said...

THOSE BOW-TIE Pastas were my FAVORITE EVER!!!!!!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi GiGi, aren't those a fun shape? Love them! Thanks for the comment.

Laura Dembowski said...

Bacon makes everything better and the idea of turning a blt into pasta salad is a great one. It's so fun to reinvent classic recipes!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, bacon is such good stuff, isn't it? A winner around here! Thanks for the comment.

Nagi@RecipeTinEats said...

I love that you've called this a BLT pasta! Fellow bacon lover right here, you know I love your food John! (And goat's cheese is one of my fave cheeses!!)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Nagi, BLTs are so great, aren't they? And the ingredients work really well in this dish! Thanks for the comment.

Maureen | Orgasmic Chef said...

It's cold outside, the tomatoes taste like plastic and I look at your gorgeous salad and want to know, "Are you done with summer yet??"

Carolyn Jung said...

I had the same issue with squirrels devouring my tomatoes. The first year I planted tomatoes I only got ONE to eat, because the pesky varmits got the rest of them. Fortunately, my husband built a huge cage around my tomato plants, so now I actually get enough of them to enjoy. ;)

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

Don't tell Manservant but I always splurge on a BLT when he is away! Maybe I'll be healthy and have this salad on the side! It sounds awesome. But those tomatoes are awesomer!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Maureen, lotta summer to go yet. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, those squirrels are so pesky, aren't they? Still not believing we've totally outwitted them. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, that BLT combo is awesome, isn't it? One of my faves! Thanks for the comment.

Unknown said...

This fusion dish has me hungry!!! It looks like a wonderful summer dish, light yet rich at the same time.

Cheri Savory Spoon said...

Hi John, the savory saltiness in bacon makes everything taste better, I bet this dish is wonderful, also the bow tie pasta is perfect here. Glad you guys are one up on the squirrels we are battling some type of rodent that is tunneling into the garden and eating the roots of the plants. One of these days.......

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jessie, it's really a super dish -- loads of flavor. And pretty light, as you say. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Cheri, voles will burrow and eat roots. Loads of other things, unfortunately. Hope you outwit them! Thanks for the comment.

Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl said...

I love me a good pasta meal full of veggies! I'm not a goat cheese fan (sorry!) but I'd sprinkle some Parmesan on top and call it perfect!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pamela, Parmesan would be fun with this dish. Romano might be a bit better -- more of a bite to it. But any cheese would probably work! Thanks for the comment.

Bam's Kitchen said...

Bacon, lettuce and cheese in a pasta salad is a brilliant idea! Loving your bold and beautiful photos, they are so crisp and vibrant. My boys would love this recipe and the addition of bacon...its like a major food group, right? Thanks so much for your kind mention and your stir fried lettuce in your dish is beautifully cooked- perfect. Have a super weekend!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bam, stir-frying lettuce is such a neat technique! So glad your great recipe inspired me with this. And bacon is definitely a food group! Thanks for the comment.

Eva Taylor said...

This dish just screams summer, the colour, freshness, it's just beautiful John. Our Italian/Portuguese neighbours used to grow tomatoes all the time but this year they stopped because of the squirrels! The flavour of home-grown tomatoes exceeds any price so you keep on growing them!
Eva https://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com/

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Eva, oh, we'll keep growing tomatoes! We've already spent the money for the cost of the cages, etc so the nominal cost going forward isn't that much. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) said...

What a beautiful Summer Pasta dish John. Thanks for sharing a great dish. I picked my first of the Summer tomatoes this morning. Always a reason to celebrate.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lea Ann, nothing like homegrown tomatoes, is there? And they're perfect for this dish. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

We'd LOVE this salad! It seems we're making BLT's every week when the tomatoes are at their prime. Unfortunately, some critters ran off with our cherry tomatoes (did you send your squirrels to Indiana????), but the grocery store versions are pretty decent. Can't wait to give it a try!!!

Marcela said...

That’s a hit! I love your pasta! Thanks for sharing! Perfect summer dish!

dedy oktavianus said...

Simply damn deliicous!!!
good to know there's such BLT pasta
Dedy@Dentist Chef

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Liz, maybe our squirrels moved to Indiana! :-) This really is good stuff -- a dish I'm pretty sure you'd like. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Marcela, isn't this nice? Such a great dish! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dedy, this is indeed damn delicious! Thanks for the comment.

Beth said...

Here in Toronto, it seems to be raccoons that get our goat (or our tomatoes). Congratulations for winning this battle! And your BLT variation looks terrific.

Scott S. said...

Oh yum, what a great idea, you're making me so hungry! This is a perfect summer meal as far as I'm concerned.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Beth, we have some racoons, but not that many. Probably a good thing -- otherwise we'd get nothing from our garden. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Scott, this really is such a nice warm weather dish! Thanks for the comment.

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

Interesting twist on BLT flavors! I'll take anything with bacon + fresh summer tomatoes :-) You can't beat em!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amy, summer tomatoes are amazing, aren't they? We love this time of the year! Thanks for the comment.

Dottie said...

Hi John,
What a great dish for these hot days. I love BLT and this recipe is a good one, like the bow ties instead of bread. Wonderful flavors....you can't go wrong with this one. Good post...I was back, but now had pc problems for over a week, had my pc man take the tower and fixed it. So now I hope to be really back..Be cool and have a wonderful week! Looking forward to your next post...
Dottie :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dottie, don't you hate computer problems! Glad you're all fixed up, though -- must be a big relief. Thanks for the comment.

Debra Eliotseats said...

I could put goat cheese into anything! I'm battling spider mites so my tomatoes may be done for.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Debra, goat cheese is sooo good, isn't it? ;-) Sorry about your spider mites -- it always seems to be something with gardens. Thanks for the comment.

Judy @Savoring Today said...

You know me, if there's goat cheese, I'm in! Put it with BLT fixin's and we'll be really good friends. Yum! :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Judy, the goat cheese adds a wonderful touch to this dish. Really good stuff. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes said...

You had me at "bacon". I love BLT anything in the summer!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, bacon is so good, isn't it? And just dynamite with tomatoes! Thanks for the comment.

Anne@ASaladForAllSeasons said...

What a fabulous idea for a pasta, John! Not only do I LOVE bacon, but this pasta is a perfect way to showcase summer's beautiful tomatoes. And Little Gem is my new favorite lettuce! Thanks for sharing this. I'll be trying it soon! (and since I don't have a garden this year, I tried planting some french breakfast radishes on my little porch...all good until something ate all the radishes tops on the surface of the soil.....squirrels? birds?....this is WAR!)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anne, isn't Little Gem a wonderful lettuce? Just love its flavor and texture! Sorry about your radish tops -- WAR is an entirely appropriate response. :-) Thanks for the comment.

lizzie {Strayed Table} said...

John, we must be in sync at the moment. I just discovered the BLT salad. Delicious, the best flavours and I reckon a pasta version sounds pretty darn good when there is goats cheese on top.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lizzie, BLT anything gets my attention! And this dish is really worth trying. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Zoe said...

Hi John,

I like all the pretty summery colours in your pasta! It looks so delicious and cheerful to enjoy :D

Zoe

Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness said...

I would love this salad. Bacon sounds so delicious in this salad. Love the colors in this salad.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Zoe, we like colorful food! Particularly when it tastes good. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dawn, aren't those colors wonderful? As is the flavor! Thanks for the comment.

Lux G. said...

I'm a healthy wannabe so this sounds perfect for me. :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lux, perfect dish for you! Really good taste, and it is pretty healthy. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Claudia said...

When the first tomato of the season came in (early for us), we sat down and had BLT'S for breakfast. I then went crazy with BLT'S salad for a week. Now, with addition of the goat cheese (and new way of cooking the lettuce), I can add this to our rotation. Never get sick of it. NEVER! All hail the tomatoes and your delicious recipes. Luckily, our squirrels don't go for tomatoes (They eat the peppers) Happy Summer!

Mary Frances said...

I love how simple and flavorful this looks! Anything with fresh tomatoes from the garden tastes delicious, right?

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Claudia, wish our squirrels would go for the peppers! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mary, one's own garden produce is simply wonderful! Freshest tomatoes ever. ;-) Thanks for the comment.

Amira said...

Great dish, easy, quick and light for the hot summer days.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amira, isn't this nice? Loads of flavor, and pretty easy to make -- a terrific combo! Thanks for the comment.

Sprigs of Rosemary said...

Sorry I missed this earlier. Great mix of flavors and texture. (Too busy making hay these past couple no-rain days.) I'm just beginning to enjoy a few tomatoes from my own garden; but I'm afraid I'm again afraid the blight will sideline them and I'll be buying bushels to make my sauce by the end of the month
:(

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Rosemary, we're dealing with some blight too, alas. Although we've gotten a decent number of tomatoes from our garden despite that! Thanks for the comment.

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

I'm so jealous of your home grown tomatoes and this pasta looks spetacular! I can imagine all the flavors going on in a bite. I miss simple home cooked meal like this. I am tired of eating out after 5 days, and what I'm going to do for the next 4 weeks (minimum!).... may I visit you? :) hee hee.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Nami, of course you can visit! :-) Kitchen renovations always seem to take forever, don't they? It's worth it, though. Thanks for the comment.

Paula @ Vintage Kitchen said...

Wilted lettuce in my pasta, that's a thing I never thought of adding, but your comments make me want to have it now John! Really lovely pasta dish. I tried to grow veggies, but couldn't make it work to save my life...

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Paula, this is really a neat dish! So worth trying. :-) Thanks for the comment.