Penne with Tuna, Plum Tomatoes, and Black Olives

Serves: 1

Salt
3 ounces penne (or fusilli or shell pasta)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 small onion or fat shallot , thinly sliced (about 1/4 cup)
1 clove garlic , peeled and thinly sliced
2 large, ripe plum tomatoes (about 7 ounces), cut into rough chunks
1 Tbsp. white wine
2 1/2 to 3 ounces canned tuna in olive oil
10 Italian or Greek black olives , pitted and quartered
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1. Bring a large pot of water with 1/2 tablespoon salt to a boil. Drop in pasta; stir it around.
2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat; sauté onion or shallot 3 to 4 minutes, until limp.
3. Add garlic and tomatoes and sauté for another minute.
4. Splash in wine and cook down, about 4 minutes.
5. Break up tuna, dropping chunky flakes into the pan.
6. Stir in olives.
7. Add at least 1/4 cup pasta water to the sauce.
8. When pasta is al dente (taste to be sure), use a big strainer-like spoon to transfer it to the pan. Stir to combine, and cook for a minute.
9. Add salt to taste if needed and more pasta water if sauce is too dry.
10. Spoon pasta with sauce into a bowl, and scatter parsley on top.

Chicken Pasta

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes
Ready In: 1 Hour
Serves: 6

1 (16 ounce) package radiatore pasta
1/2 pound bacon
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into bite-sized pieces
3/4 cup white wine
2 large tomatoes, cut into bite size pieces
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Set bacon aside to drain on paper towels.
3. Drain all but 1 tablespoon bacon grease, then saute chicken until no longer pink, and juices run clear.
4. Break bacon into pieces, and return to skillet. Stir in wine and tomatoes. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Simmer until tomatoes are cooked, about 20 minutes.
5. Serve sauce over cooked pasta.