Cherry tomato pasta

Another summer recipe. This one is inspired from several pasta sauces I grew up eating, but I admit is my own concoction. Given that my family enjoys it, I'm passing it on.
It's summer, so we often BBQ, which means grilled vegetables (if using fresh vegetables, then sauté them with the garlic).
Also, our move to the country means we've fallen into the trap of growing organic vegetables. The most successful crop so far is cherry tomatoes, hence, the recipe that follows.


TIP: Put the salted water on for the pasta before starting the sauce, as it should only cook about 10 minutes.

20+ cherry tomatoes
20+ black olives
4 cloves garlic
grilled vegetables (pepcapers, eggplant, onions...)
tbsp capers
3 large anchovies (optional if vegetarian)
parsely
olive oil

Slice garlic in half. Chop anchovies. Simmer both in oil in a large saucepan.
Slice tomatoes in half. Chop grilled veggies. Add to the saucepan.
Add olives, capers & parsley. Stir, turn heat off.
When pasta is cooked, drain & mix directly in the saucepan. Serve immediately.

Rice salad-riso freddo

A summer staple in Italy, cold rice salads are much appreciated when temperatures soar. They are ideal for al fresco meals, as we all try to cool down by enjoying the evening air. In our house we spend most of the summer months outside (yes, even on the computer, thanks to wifi!). Personally, I don't enjoy spending more time than necessary over a hot stove (or even worse) near an oven when boiling outdoors!
The basic recipe that follows can easily be adapted to vegetarian cooking. In Italy, arborio rice is used, but other white rice can be substituted, such as basmati or Thai (NOT Uncle Ben's).
The mixed pickled vegetables are easily found in Italian foodstores. The mix usually includes carrots, pickles, onions, cauliflower, onion, peppers.
{NB: it's difficult to measure out ingredients, since it's a question of taste}

White rice
Sottoaceti (mixed pickled vegetables)
Hot dog or tuna
Hard boiled egg
Mayonnaise
Oil

Cook rice & hardboil egg. Set aside to cool.
Drain vegetables & tuna. Slice thinly or dice vegetables, hotdog & egg. Mix into cooled rice.
Add mayonnaise and/or oil.