2801. ROTELLE with BACON, WATERCRESS and CHERRY TOMATOES

makes four servings 


1/2 pound sliced bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips 
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 
1 teaspoon salt 
3/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper 
1 bunch watercress (about 5 ounces), tough stems removed 
3/4 pound rotelle 
2 tablespoons butter 
2 tablespoons olive oil 
1 scallion including green top, cut into thin slices 
grated Parmesan cheese, for serving 

In a large frying pan, cook the bacon until golden brown and just crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 1 teaspoon of the fat. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper to the pan. Cook over moderate heat, stirring, until the tomatoes soften slightly, about 3 minutes. Add the watercress and cook, stirring, until just wilted, about 1 minute. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the rotelle until just done, about 12 minutes. Reserve 3/4 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and toss with the bacon, 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water, the tomato mixture, the butter, and the olive oil. If the pasta seems dry, add more of the reserved pasta water. Top with the sliced scallions. Serve with grated Parmesan.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Food & Wine Magazine.com