Pasta with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese

Ingredients

• 0.8 cup basil fresh
• 0.8 cup basil fresh
• 2.8 lb cherry tomatoes halved
• 1 lb gemelli 
• 5 oz goat cheese crumbled soft
• 0.7 cup olives black coarsely chopped

Equipment

• bowl
• pot

Directions

1. Cook pasta in a 6-quart pot of boiling salted water until just tender, then drain.
2. While pasta is cooking, toss tomatoes with salt to taste in a bowl and let juices exude.
3. Toss hot pasta with goat cheese in a large bowl until cheese is melted and coats pasta.
4. Add tomatoes with juices, olives, basil, and salt and pepper to taste and toss to combine.
5. •To prevent basil leaves from discoloring, don't tear them until just before pasta is done.•For an especially vibrant presentation, use cherry tomatoes in a variety of shapes and colors.