Pasta With Scallops and Green Beans

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Trim and cut green beans into 1 ¼-inch lengths. Drop them into salted boiling water and cook them for 7 minutes or until slightly crisp and tender. Drain immediately and reserve ½ cup of the cooking liquid.

2. Step 2

   Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of the garlic. Cook briefly without letting it brown. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, marjoram, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring well, for about 5 minutes. Set aside.

3. Step 3

   Bring 3 quarts salted water to a boil. Add pasta, bring to a boil and cook, stirring, for about 12 minutes or according to package instructions. The pasta should be al dente.

4. Step 4

   Meanwhile, heat the 2 remaining tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add scallops, remaining garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring, for about 1 minute, then add the tomato sauce, green beans and reserved liquid to the pan. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. Cook for 1 minute, stirring.

5. Step 5

   Drain pasta and add it to the tomato-scallop mixture. Serve immediately with the remaining basil.