During the summer, my best days are spent at the beach. I love the smell of the ocean air. I can look down the endless coast of water and sand all morning and late into the afternoon. Beautiful, lazy days and feeling my skin soak in every ray of sun puts me in my comfort zone. Hearing the waves breaking on the shore and observing nature’s perfection while feeling the cool sea breeze calms me like nothing else can. I love to take long strolls on the beach searching the sand for unique seashells and rocks.

Since my husband and I spend our beach vacation sans children, I also enjoy watching the children burying each other in the sand and play catch or soccer. One beautiful beach day this year, we were sitting next to a family with two older sons, and a younger daughter. The daughter was trying to get her two older brothers to play with her. Unfortunately, the boys were not interested. To get back at them for their lack of attention, she took their soccer ball when they weren’t looking, and she buried it in the sand. As they were preparing to leave the beach, the boys started searching for their soccer ball. Eventually, the little girl had to admit to burying it. She thought she remembered exactly where she had hidden their “treasure” and began digging. And digging. And digging. No soccer ball was to be found. The boys and their parents began helping, to no avail. My husband and I were laughing so hard our sides hurt! No one in that family was as amused as we were. The parents were quite upset! 

I remember days like that when my kids were young. When I think of times we shared, very similar to that of this young family, I wish I had laughed more. In fact, when I shared stories like this with my close friend, she used to tell me I would look back on them and laugh. She was right, I do! I hope the family with the lost ball will laugh at that incident someday as well. The thought of the little girl trying to get back at her brothers made my day. It is difficult in the moment, but it is important because you just never get those days back. They are precious memories that will be shared and cherished. 

This recipe is the perfect pasta for a sunny beach snack, lunch or dinner. If you do bring it to the beach, remember to keep it chilled because of the cheese. I love the fried artichokes. They are just lightly fried, so they do not make the dish feel heavy. This is a light recipe that is enjoyable anytime. The combination of the artichokes and tomatoes are delicious. The cheese adds just the right amount of flavor and gives it a creamy texture. The basil and the dressing are the stars of this dish, giving it just the right amount of savory taste with a hint of tang.

This recipe will serve 4-6 people, who, with its comforting flavor, will make them feel like they are being bathed by the sun, even if they aren’t at the beach!

Ingredients for Pasta 

1 pound pasta ( any kind with edges will be fine)
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1 jar artichokes in water, drained and chopped
1/4 cup. olive oil
1/2 cup chopped basil, plus more leaves unchopped for dressing
1 1/2  cup Bocconcini mozzarella, (or the smaller kind if you can get them)

Ingredients for the Dressing

5 tbsps. balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp. dijon mustard
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup good olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

In a large pot of very salted boiling water, add the pasta.

Cook according to package instructions.

Drain the pasta and set aside.

In a medium pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.

Add the chopped artichokes and cook until browned, about 5-8 minutes.

Remove artichokes from pan and place in a strainer to let the oil drain off.

Set aside.

In another large bowl, combine the tomatoes, red bell pepper, and pasta.

(The pasta may stick together, but don’t worry, when you add the dressing it will combine nicely).

For the dressing;

Add all ingredients except oil in a jar with a lid.

Slowly add oil, mixing with a spoon as you add it.

Place lid on the jar and shake to combine thoroughly.

Add artichokes and basil to pasta mixture and mix to combine.

Toss in the mozzarella.

Add the dressing, and gently mix until well coated. (Be sure to add dressing a little at a time, so it is not over-dressed)

Dress with fresh basil leaves.

Serve warm or room temperature.

It’s that simple!