I wanted to post this for the sake of remembering what we ate at least once weekly in the winter of 2014. It's this simple, simple pasta a happened upon from the NY Times food blog. The ingredient list sold me. I am a lover of all flavors bold, pungent, briny, and spicy. Plus it has kale which makes me feel healthy.
Here's the original recipe, but I add more of almost everything in the "sauce." I make it like this:
Bring a pot of water to a boil.
While your water is working on boiling, heat 2 or so T of olive oil in a large saucepan over low heat (the dial on my gas stove is at a 2 at this point). Sprinkle in some crushed red pepper flakes to your taste level (a lot for us!) and a pinch of salt. While the chile flakes are toasting, smash several garlic cloves.
Guys, I married a garlic lover. The first time I made this recipe, I used the "4 fat cloves" it calls for. Now I use something like 8 fat cloves. Sometimes more. I pluck the cloves off the head and lay them under the flat side of my knife... then I give them a WHACK to crush them and pop the papers off. So easy. And satisfying if you've had a bad day.
Now take something like 4 heaping tablespoons of capers out of their brine and dry them with a paper towel. You'll be so glad you did.
Then comes the scary part... the anchovies. I'd tasted, but never purchased anchovies until I decided to try this recipe. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Sick, I hate anchovies." Well, chances are you've never tried them, and if you did try them, your preconceived notions about them kept you from loving them. You are Elizabeth Bennett, and those anchovies are Mr. Darcy. Or something. Anyway -- the anchovies. Just do it. Take 4 or 5. Or 6. And add them to the chiles and oil along with the smashed garlic and the capers. Almost immediately, those anchovies will dissolve, leaving you nothing but a delicious taste that is not at all fishy. Trust.
Keep the heat low and stir occasionally with a wooden spoon, and something wonderful begins to happen. The garlic softens and turns golden, keeping a whisper of it's raw bite but mostly tasting mellow... almost roasted. The capers will caramelize and soak up the saltiness and depth of the anchovies that are now just a memory because they have literally vanished. It's magic.
By this time, your water is at a rolling boil and you can add 2 servings... maybe a half pound or so.. of short cut, whole wheat pasta to the water. We like fusilli or mini penne. Cook it until it's al dente.
With about 2 minutes left in the pasta's cooking time, add several large handfuls of kale to the sauté pan. This means half of a large bag of pre-cut, pre-washed kale from Trader Joes for me. Because I am lazy and YOLO. Sneak about 1/4 c of the pasta water into the sauté pan and stir until the kale is sautéed and soft. When the pasta is al dente, add it to the sauté pan with a slotted spoon, stirring as you go.
When the pasta is mixed into the kale mixture, turn off the heat and squeeze with the juice of 1/2 lemon. Next the original recipe gives the idea of "showering" the pasta with cheese like it's optional... and we always do this. By the bowl. We use the microplane and make a fluffy mountain of parm for each bowl. Usually I am vehemently against lemon AND cheese on pasta... it just doesn't make sense. But it's the right thing to do here. The lemon is really there to counter the salty and pungent, and the fine shaving of parmesan makes it all work together. Do it.
So that's what we're eating at least once weekly right now. For the first 4 or 5 times I made it, I made sure to add the anchovies when RP wasn't looking or before he got home from work. Then one night he glanced over his second bowl to me and said, "I love this pasta. What makes it so good?" And I felt like I had to tell him the truth, expecting him to give up on it. Let me just tell you that the man didn't care one bit and has enjoyed many happy bowls since - and he is a particular guy about his likes and dislikes (see the paragraph above about anchovies).
This is the meal I look forward to every week. It's delicious and satisfying - I hope you try it!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Monday, November 11, 2013
thoughts about treasure
A few weeks ago I was making breakfast on a Saturday morning, minding my own business, until I passed the laundry room and my eye went straight to the six legged uninvited creature that was legs up on the tile floor. Starts with a C, ends with an ockroach. I want to die even typing that. I almost puked. Then I pulled myself together and ran out to the garage to get the pest control supplies that my mom got us as a housewarming gift. I spent the morning spraying the inside (twice) and outside of our house (three times) while visions of those little nasties taking their dying breaths danced in my head. I may have missed my calling as an exterminator. I put away my sprayer and gloves and treated myself to Sonic happy hour. Glad I took care of that.
Except that a few days later I saw another one.. and then another one. They were always dead, but this happened enough times that I completely lost my mind when one was next to my jewelry box on my dresser (SICK, right?!). Suffice it to say - I freaked the freak out. Bless Russ' heart who took the brunt of that meltdown.
The good news is I got some more heavy duty bug killing stuff. The better news, I haven't even put that stuff out yet and I haven't seen one of those little "visitors" in a week and a half. They must have heard my epic freak-out and told their friends. Score, right?
Except on Friday we had another type of uninvited visitor. The kind that would rather throw a brick through your window than knock on the door. The kind that proceeds to enter your home and violate your space by taking your belongings and rifling through every drawer and closet to find more valuables. The kind that evidently knows exactly how much time they have to enter, set off your alarm, take what they wish, and peace out. I certainly hope they felt welcome during their brief stay in our home.
I'm not going to pretend like it's not a bummer that we got robbed. It's a huge bummer. As I walked through our home on Friday morning with the police, making a list of missing items, I felt so much loss. Loss of belongings, sure, but the loss of felt-safety in our home took my breath away.
Yet, as I shuffled through the broken glass, holding back tears, the Lord reminded me of my time volunteering in the BSF children's program a few weeks ago. We ended our time together by memorizing this verse:
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven - where moths (or cockroaches??) and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21
God knew how true these words would become for me in a matter of days. He knew that it wouldn't be long until I'd be challenged to put my money where my mouth was as I recited these words with a tribe of wiggly nine year olds.
So, yes - some of our things were taken. But the great news is, they are things. They are not our treasures. Am I glad this happened? Certainly not. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I am grateful for the lesson this holds - especially right before the holidays when my Christmas list is already embarrassingly long. As I scrolled through said list this morning, I felt a little silly. Like my treasure belonged somewhere besides a Pinterest board now and in my closet in late December. I'm not sure what this will look like, but I am praying that the Lord would continue to teach me through this experience and move me to bless others with that.
So we cleaned up the mess, boarded broken windows, and got on with our weekend. We had friends for an impromptu dinner party and intense mario kart tournament on Saturday night and hosted our small group on Sunday evening. Godly friendships are a priceless treasure. The joy they bring into our home is invaluable. The laughter, tears, prayers, authenticity and vulnerability shared cannot be taken by anyone. I am thanking God for these precious treasures that He has given me this day.
Except that a few days later I saw another one.. and then another one. They were always dead, but this happened enough times that I completely lost my mind when one was next to my jewelry box on my dresser (SICK, right?!). Suffice it to say - I freaked the freak out. Bless Russ' heart who took the brunt of that meltdown.
The good news is I got some more heavy duty bug killing stuff. The better news, I haven't even put that stuff out yet and I haven't seen one of those little "visitors" in a week and a half. They must have heard my epic freak-out and told their friends. Score, right?
Except on Friday we had another type of uninvited visitor. The kind that would rather throw a brick through your window than knock on the door. The kind that proceeds to enter your home and violate your space by taking your belongings and rifling through every drawer and closet to find more valuables. The kind that evidently knows exactly how much time they have to enter, set off your alarm, take what they wish, and peace out. I certainly hope they felt welcome during their brief stay in our home.
I'm not going to pretend like it's not a bummer that we got robbed. It's a huge bummer. As I walked through our home on Friday morning with the police, making a list of missing items, I felt so much loss. Loss of belongings, sure, but the loss of felt-safety in our home took my breath away.
Yet, as I shuffled through the broken glass, holding back tears, the Lord reminded me of my time volunteering in the BSF children's program a few weeks ago. We ended our time together by memorizing this verse:
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven - where moths (or cockroaches??) and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21
God knew how true these words would become for me in a matter of days. He knew that it wouldn't be long until I'd be challenged to put my money where my mouth was as I recited these words with a tribe of wiggly nine year olds.
So, yes - some of our things were taken. But the great news is, they are things. They are not our treasures. Am I glad this happened? Certainly not. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I am grateful for the lesson this holds - especially right before the holidays when my Christmas list is already embarrassingly long. As I scrolled through said list this morning, I felt a little silly. Like my treasure belonged somewhere besides a Pinterest board now and in my closet in late December. I'm not sure what this will look like, but I am praying that the Lord would continue to teach me through this experience and move me to bless others with that.
So we cleaned up the mess, boarded broken windows, and got on with our weekend. We had friends for an impromptu dinner party and intense mario kart tournament on Saturday night and hosted our small group on Sunday evening. Godly friendships are a priceless treasure. The joy they bring into our home is invaluable. The laughter, tears, prayers, authenticity and vulnerability shared cannot be taken by anyone. I am thanking God for these precious treasures that He has given me this day.
Friday, August 16, 2013
5 on Friday
I'm linking up with Darci and many more for the 5 on Friday today. These posts were made for me - if I wrote a memoir, I'm pretty sure it would be in the form of a bulleted list!
1. I loved this chic little photo I came across on Pinterest the other day.
Seriously, how chic does she look? I decided to go for it myself and busted out my 10+ year old grey converse (a la Natalie Portman in Garden State -- geez louise!) and a little black jersey J. Crew dress. Let the record show that I took full advantage of summer casual at the office and wore chucks to work.
Also, let the record show that I looked about as chic as the brick wall behind that girl, but I can dream!
2. Stores are starting to release their fall clothes and I'm finding waaaay too many things I want on my bod. Sigh. If only decorating my house came as easily as buying clothes. Anyway -- here are a few things I'm saving for/adding to my birthday list:
pink and red together until I die.. this cute top is from Gap
I discovered these pants last year - the sloane-fit slim ankle pants from Banana Republic. If you're 5'3" and petite but have a booty, these pants will love you until the day you die. And this gorgeous deep green? Have mercy.
This pretty little necklace (also from BR) might have made it's way in my shopping cart last week when a 40% off coupon hit my mailbox. I'll be wearing this all fall and through the winter, I'm sure.
A version of this puffer vest hit J. Crew last holiday, and was quickly sold out everywhere. This is from the factory store and I am determined to lock it down this time!
Whoa this post got a little shopping heavy -- and a fashion blogger I am not. Switching gears...
3. The new Civil Wars album has been my soundtrack for this week. It's already one of my favorites. Plus it's on Spotify!
4. I made homemade biscuits for the first time last week, and they are pretty much all I've been thinking about since. Making biscuits is really no big deal - it's crazy how easy they are. I used this recipe and only used 1 tablespoon scant of sugar.
5. House of Cards is the latest show in our Netflix Queue and I really like it so far. Mostly I like Kevin Spacey's sweet accent and one-liners to the audience.
That's all I got! Have a great weekend.
Maui
After returning from Punta Mita, we went back to reality for four weeks before heading to Maui. (We'll put that on the list of sentences I never thought I'd type). Russ' parents planned an amazing vacation for us that included Stand-up paddle boarding ( I. am. obsessed.), snorkeling, surfing, a luau, sea turtles (I. am. obsessed.), beautiful beaches a s delicious food. The week went by so quickly! Here are my favorite photos:
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
paradise part 1
In June, my parents took us girls and our friends/partners to Punta Mita, Mexico for such an incredible vacation. We dinner cruised, food toured, pool lounged, ATV'd, slept late, zip lined, got massaged, and relaxed at a beautiful home that we rented for our vacation. It was such a sweet time with my people and their people! Ill let the photos speak for themselves:
Next: Maui with Russ' family! [what is my life?!]
Friday, June 7, 2013
5 on Friday
Lots of bloggers I love do a little list of 5 things they're loving on Fridays. So... here we go!
1. Frog Camp
I had the honor and privilege of attending TCU's new student program, Frog Camp this week in Bruceville, TX. My little group of incoming freshmen was made up of truly fantastic people. Seriously - compared to them at 18, I look seriously lame. And the facilitators that led our group were equally amazing. It makes my heart swell when I think about the truly quality students that TCU continues to recruit. And makes me thank my lucky stars that I got in when I did.
2. Joss and Main
I subscribed to Joss and Main e-mails almost a year ago, but haven't shopped their site at all. I recently started clicking on those e-mails rather than just deleting them, and WOW. I am finding so many things for my house at amazing prices. Have you ordered from Joss and Main? Is it too good to be true, or is their stuff really that great?
3. Bar Carts
Maybe it's my obsession with Mad Men, but I've been on the hunt for a vintage, gold detailed, mid-century modern bar cart for about a year now. I was shopping in Canton with RP and his mom and sister last weekend when I saw it - the perfect bar cart! When I got a little closer, I saw that the shelves were made from particle board, not glass or mirror like I'd hoped, but the frame was gold and the wheels were in good shape. When I asked the sweet lady running the booth how much for said bar cart, she goes, "Oh honey, I've been calling that a TV Cart." I'm pretty sure that would make Don Draper look at her like this:
Anyway, I got us a TV Cart for just $15! We have big plans to get glass cut for the shelves. Huzzah!
4. Oceans (Where feet may fail) by Hillsong
This song is just really speaking to my soul right now. The study of 1 Peter with She Reads Truth plus this song about Peter being called out on the water by Jesus is really drawing me to think about the man that Peter was and how much of myself I see in him. Anyway, it's doing a number on my heart and I love it.
5. These.
1. Frog Camp
I had the honor and privilege of attending TCU's new student program, Frog Camp this week in Bruceville, TX. My little group of incoming freshmen was made up of truly fantastic people. Seriously - compared to them at 18, I look seriously lame. And the facilitators that led our group were equally amazing. It makes my heart swell when I think about the truly quality students that TCU continues to recruit. And makes me thank my lucky stars that I got in when I did.
2. Joss and Main
I subscribed to Joss and Main e-mails almost a year ago, but haven't shopped their site at all. I recently started clicking on those e-mails rather than just deleting them, and WOW. I am finding so many things for my house at amazing prices. Have you ordered from Joss and Main? Is it too good to be true, or is their stuff really that great?
3. Bar Carts
Maybe it's my obsession with Mad Men, but I've been on the hunt for a vintage, gold detailed, mid-century modern bar cart for about a year now. I was shopping in Canton with RP and his mom and sister last weekend when I saw it - the perfect bar cart! When I got a little closer, I saw that the shelves were made from particle board, not glass or mirror like I'd hoped, but the frame was gold and the wheels were in good shape. When I asked the sweet lady running the booth how much for said bar cart, she goes, "Oh honey, I've been calling that a TV Cart." I'm pretty sure that would make Don Draper look at her like this:
4. Oceans (Where feet may fail) by Hillsong
This song is just really speaking to my soul right now. The study of 1 Peter with She Reads Truth plus this song about Peter being called out on the water by Jesus is really drawing me to think about the man that Peter was and how much of myself I see in him. Anyway, it's doing a number on my heart and I love it.
5. These.
RP and I have picked up a little habit of having one of these every night before bed. I bought these under the guise of having something to offer people who drop by to see our new house. I need help.
Have a great weekend!
uh, hey?
Wrote this post AGES ago, and am just getting around to posting it.. Bear with me - this update is all over the place and all took place way back in May!
closing time:
We (finally) closed on our house on May 14. It felt awesome/terrifying to walk out of our realtor's office knowing that we were HOME OWNERS! We went for a celebratory dinner at Chuy's, because nothing says "Happy Home-owning!" like creamy jalepeno dip, am I right?
moving on...:
After the bliss of closing wore off, we finished packing. It was a beast. I have told RP several times since we moved that I NEVER want to move again, but just add on to our house as we need more space. Seriously. Hiring movers is one of the best decisions I've made in recent history.
unpacking/decorating/organization crisis:
This is the current state of things. I have looked forward to living in a house that I can paint and decorate however I please for years. Maybe this long wait is what has made me psycho about making everything perfect. As in, NOT unpacking a box until their is a FINAL DESTINATION for every item in said box. I need help (psychiatric, that is. don't come in my house. don't unpack anything. i will cut you. it's not you, it's me. issues). And girl lessons on decorating. Y'all hug RP when you see him because he is currently living with a crazy person. I like to think I'm on the other side of the worst of this, but who can say?
my life is on back-order:
LITERALLY (Chris Traeger style) everything we order for our house is on back-order/out of stock. This is really helping the situation outlined in the paragraph above. On opposite day.
real problems:
I have none. These are not real problems, they are just the current state of things. Just had to throw that out there. I am beyond blessed to have a (beautiful) roof over my head and a place to call home.
jai ho:
We attended a Hindu Wedding for one of Russ' co-workers over Memorial Day weekend. We made a little stay-cation out of it and stayed the night at the Omni Mandalay in Las Colinas (where the wedding was held). Um, most fun wedding ever. Let's just say that the wedding started at 9 am with a bedazzled horse, and ended (for us, anyway) at 12:30 am in the dance party of my dreams. The Indians know how to party, y'all. The ceremony was beautiful and so interesting to watch, the food was spicy and delicious, and the dancing. My word. My feet still haven't recovered. AND - the bride: so. beautiful. She wore three gorgeous outfits and looked like a princess. I felt so honored to be included in that special day.
We woke up on Memorial Day and decided to honor those that have served our country by traveling to the land of Swedish furniture: Ikea. This may or may not have been when the issues I mentioned earlier began. RP talked me off a ledge somewhere between the kitchen and bathroom demos, and we left with two side tables. Bless the man.
closing time:
We (finally) closed on our house on May 14. It felt awesome/terrifying to walk out of our realtor's office knowing that we were HOME OWNERS! We went for a celebratory dinner at Chuy's, because nothing says "Happy Home-owning!" like creamy jalepeno dip, am I right?
moving on...:
After the bliss of closing wore off, we finished packing. It was a beast. I have told RP several times since we moved that I NEVER want to move again, but just add on to our house as we need more space. Seriously. Hiring movers is one of the best decisions I've made in recent history.
unpacking/decorating/organization crisis:
This is the current state of things. I have looked forward to living in a house that I can paint and decorate however I please for years. Maybe this long wait is what has made me psycho about making everything perfect. As in, NOT unpacking a box until their is a FINAL DESTINATION for every item in said box. I need help (psychiatric, that is. don't come in my house. don't unpack anything. i will cut you. it's not you, it's me. issues). And girl lessons on decorating. Y'all hug RP when you see him because he is currently living with a crazy person. I like to think I'm on the other side of the worst of this, but who can say?
my life is on back-order:
LITERALLY (Chris Traeger style) everything we order for our house is on back-order/out of stock. This is really helping the situation outlined in the paragraph above. On opposite day.
real problems:
I have none. These are not real problems, they are just the current state of things. Just had to throw that out there. I am beyond blessed to have a (beautiful) roof over my head and a place to call home.
jai ho:
We attended a Hindu Wedding for one of Russ' co-workers over Memorial Day weekend. We made a little stay-cation out of it and stayed the night at the Omni Mandalay in Las Colinas (where the wedding was held). Um, most fun wedding ever. Let's just say that the wedding started at 9 am with a bedazzled horse, and ended (for us, anyway) at 12:30 am in the dance party of my dreams. The Indians know how to party, y'all. The ceremony was beautiful and so interesting to watch, the food was spicy and delicious, and the dancing. My word. My feet still haven't recovered. AND - the bride: so. beautiful. She wore three gorgeous outfits and looked like a princess. I felt so honored to be included in that special day.
We woke up on Memorial Day and decided to honor those that have served our country by traveling to the land of Swedish furniture: Ikea. This may or may not have been when the issues I mentioned earlier began. RP talked me off a ledge somewhere between the kitchen and bathroom demos, and we left with two side tables. Bless the man.
I'll post house photos once things are a little more put together - read: when I'm not frantically searching through a box to find my colander while spaghetti is boiling on the stove.
Hope you're having a lovely [less hectic] summer!
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