Roasted-Pepper Pasta Salad

• Kosher salt
• 12 ounces mezzi rigatoni or other short tube-shaped pasta
• 2 bell peppers (red and/or yellow), halved, stemmed and seeded
• 6 cloves garlic, unpeeled
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 lemon
• 8 ounces bocconcini (small mozzarella balls)
• 1 bunch fresh basil, leaves torn
• Freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat the broiler.
2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
3. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs.
4. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking.
5. Shake off the excess water.
6. Meanwhile, place the bell peppers cut-side down on a foil-lined broiler pan, add the garlic and broil until charred, 7 to 8 minutes.
7. Transfer the peppers to a bowl, cover and set aside about 5 minutes.
8. Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat.
9. Add the almonds and toast, shaking the pan, 4 to 5 minutes.
10. Let cool, then coarsely chop.
11. Squeeze the garlic from its skin onto a cutting board.
12. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt; mince and mash the garlic into a paste with a large knife.
13. Peel the roasted peppers and slice into strips; transfer to a large bowl.
14. Add the garlic paste and drizzle with the olive oil.
15. Finely grate about 1 teaspoon lemon zest into the bowl and squeeze in all of the lemon juice.
16. Add the bocconcini, basil, almonds, pasta, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste; toss.
17. Per serving: Calories 731; Fat 37 g (Saturated 11 g); Cholesterol 41 mg; Sodium 845 mg; Carbohydrate 73 g; Fiber 6 g; Protein 26 g
18. Photographs by Antonis Achilleos

kosher salt, mezzi rigatoni, bell peppers, garlic, almonds, extravirgin olive oil, lemon, bocconcini, fresh basil, freshly ground pepper

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/roasted-pepper-pasta-salad-recipe.html (may not work)