Farfalle With Tuna in a Basil Lemon Dressing

This is the quickest summer dinner we all love. The possibilities are endless as far as playing with it. I've added, at various times, roasted red peppers, capers, peas and toasted pignoli for some crunch. I first had this at a little deli in Los Gatos that has long since closed, but found something similar on Epicurious and adapted it a bit. This is a life saver when you're tired!

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 2-3

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 lb farfalle pasta (you can use any pasta, really, I just like this shape as it works well with the tuna)
• 2  garlic cloves
• 1  lemon
• 1⁄4 cup fresh basil leaf, packed
• 6  ounces albacore tuna in water, well drained
• 1  cup cherry tomatoes, halved (I prefer sweet 100s left whole.)
• 1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil (more as needed)
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Boil pasta in salted water.
2. Mince garlic.
3. Zest lemon to get one tablespoon zest. Juice the lemon. (About two tablespoons.).
4. Shred basil into thin strips.
5. Whisk together garlic, zest, lemon juice, olive oil in a large bowl and toss in tuna, breaking it up, add basil and tomatoes.
6. Drain pasta well and add to bowl. Toss well.
7. If pasta seems dry, add either a little pasta cooking water or more olive oil.
8. Serve warm, or room temperature.