*alternatively titled, So It May Be Obvious That I Lost The Camera In The Divorce
The best part about dating is the food.
The first few months are all bread and wine, ice cream and candlelight dinners. I loved the Indian meal we shared -- I had to order, because she didn't know what anything was. I loved the picnic on the beach, bread and pesto and cheese and grapes. I loved pizza in a corner table.
But some time, you gotta start eating at home.
I don't actually restaurants. All right, that's a lie. It's just hard for me to eat out and not think, I could have done this myself at home, spent less, and had more garlic. And anyway, I love to cook.
And I especially love cooking for people. For people I love.
It can be a balancing act. Jess is lactose intolerant. I hate tomatoes. Lisa dislikes carrots. And last night, I had no idea what to make to feed all three of us.
I was pretty excited about my final choice, my own take on a classic pasta primavera, similar in nature to my favorite green bean side dish. And it started off well, Lisa and Jess having light, comedic conversation across from me as I chopped the basil and then....
Bam. One minute my finger was 6 inches away, and then it was under my knife.
I've never cut myself cooking before. I'm pathologically careful, and I keep my knives sharp. It's not a bad cut, as far as they go. Mostly I was furious. I cleaned myself up, made Lisa open the tomatoes, and my shiny new recipe came off without another hitch.
I just don't normally put this much of myself into cooking dinner.
Blood, Sweat, and Pasta
serves 4
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup diced white onion
4-5 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2Tbps chopped fresh oregano
1 16oz can diced peeled tomatoes
3 large zucchini, cut into chunks
1/4 cup sliced olives
1/4 cup pine nuts (optional)
1/2 lb cooked whole wheat rotini
4oz shredded mozzarella
salt and pepper, to taste
Saute the onions and garlic in olive oil in a saute pan until softened. Add the basil, oregano, tomatoes, and zucchini. Cover and simmer until the zucchini is soft -- about 20 minutes. Stir in the pine nuts and olives. Toss with rotini and add mozzarella. Season as desired with salt and pepper.
