Blue Tuna with Basil Tomato Sauce and Capers (Tonno fresco con pomodorini e capperi).

Fresh tuna with tomatoes and capers is a simple, quick and tasty recipe for a Mediterranean-flavored main course.

The fresh tuna steaks are accompanied by a delicious sauce of cherry tomatoes, onions and capers.

 Ingredients

3 tuna steaks about 1-inch thick

1/4 cup of olive oil

2 cloves of garlic, cut

One red onion, cut

Few leaves of basil

1 lb. cherry tomatoes

2 tablespoons of capers

Tuna steaks

Cherry tomatoes in pan

directions

Heat 3 tbs. oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add the onions and sauté about 5 minutes until soft.

Add the garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes, then add in the tomatoes, basil and capers, stirring well to combine.

Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.

In another pan heat the remaining 3 tbs. of oil over medium heat.

Salt and pepper fish to taste, then place in the pan when oil is hot.

Cook fish about 3 minutes per side (fish should be light brown at edges but still pink inside).

Place the fish in the pan with sauce and simmer for about 5 minutes.

Serve immediately!

CANNING CHERRY TOMATOES (Conservare i pomodorini)

The most classic way to preserve cherry tomatoes is to make a tomato puree by boiling the tomatoes.  And making a fresh cherry tomato sauce is an explosion of authentic flavors, perfect for enhancing many dishes.

Procedure:

Simply wash and cut the tomatoes in half. 

Place them in a pot, add some salt and cook for 10 minutes over medium heat.

Then place the tomatoes in a food mill and rotate to remove skin.

Place the puree in a jar and add few basil leaves.

Cap the jar and boil for 20 minutes.

Bowtie Pasta with Mozzarella and Cherry Tomatoes

What better way to celebrate the arrival of summer than with a very fresh plate of pasta with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella? A quick and light dish, perfect for dinner in the hottest season.

• 1/2 lb. pasta
• 5 teaspoons olive oil
• Small chopped onion
• 2-1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• salt
• pepper
• 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• Few leaves of fresh basil

Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and cut the mozzarella into cubes.  Wash the basil and chop it.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; sauté onion until tender.  Stir in tomatoes, salt and pepper; heat through. Remove from heat; stir in cheese and basil.

Once cooked, drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the sauce.  Cook for a few minutes, in order to mix the mixture.

Serve immediately and enjoy!