Did anyone else notice that there was no Foody Tuesday this Tuesday? (if there was a memo, I didn't get it)

Well, not to be detered, I'm going ahead with it on my own. The avocados are looking so good in the stores this week, I couldn't resist making this for dinner tonight.

I found this recipe in a vegetarian magazine many years ago. Everyone I've ever made this for loves, loves, loves it...and so do I. The avocado makes it really rich tasting and the sesame seeds add something really special.

But please (at the risk of being a food nazi)...DO NOT ADD PARMAESAN CHEESE - you will ruin it.

(and one more thing, don't use too much pasta or you will overwhelm the flavours--the sauce is the star of this dish)

Here is all you need, along with salt and pepper...

(except for avocado, prepare this up to 1 hour in advance)

6 medium plum tomatoes (~1lb) or a 1 can whole tomatoes (I mostly use canned)

2 tsp sesame seeds (toasted)

1 medium garlic clove minced

¼ cup fresh basil leaves – chopped (or you can substitute a large dollop of basil pesto)

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp salt

Ground pepper

1 medium Haas Avocado – cut in ½ inch cubes

12 ounces rotini or pasta of choice (whole wheat pasta also works well)

1. If you are ambitious and using fresh tomatoes, peel, core, seed and buzz whole tomatoes in the food processor, but if you are like me and can't bother with all that stuff, use good quality canned roma tomatoes (whole, not crushed). If using a can, drain, push out some of the liquid with a wooden spoon, chop into bite sized pieces and place into a ceramic or glass bowl large enough to hold the finished pasta.
2. Add garlic, oil, basil, vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. Since this is a no-cook sauce, it needs to sit for an hour to bring out the flavour. I usually pop it into the microwave for a minute just to warm it a little and bring out more of the flavours.
3. Just before serving, toast the sesame seeds in a skillet until just brown (watch, they burn fast) and add to the sauce.
4. Chop the avocado into bite-sized pieces add and toss.

Add the hot seeds to the sauce and listen to them sizzle.

As the pasta is cooking, chop the avocado and add to the sauce.

Drain pasta, toss with sauce and serve.

Et voila!

Pasta with no cook pasta sauce that will knock your socks off.