Five Ingredients, Five Minutes

The criteria for tonight’s dinner: 1) super fast (10 minutes or less) – kids were ravenous, 2) super tasty – I was hungry too and felt like something civilized, 3) includes something green – self explanatory, 4) ingredients already in the fridge – see criteria #1.  And the winner was…

Fresh Pasta with Brussels Sprouts, Bacon, and Parmesan

• 1 package fresh pasta (I had some delicious gemilli pasta from the Santa Cruz Pasta Factory in the fridge – cooks in 3 minutes)
• 20ish brussels sprouts, washed and halved
• 1/2 package pancetta bits (from Trader Joe’s)
• Handful of shaved Parmesan cheese
• Olive oil

Cook the pancetta in a pan for 2-3 minutes, add brussels sprouts and saute until browned but still firm.  Meanwhile, cook pasta, drain, and drizzle with olive oil.  Toss in brussels sprouts, pancetta, and Parmesan.  Light candles, take a minute for gratitude, and gobble it up!

I savored this dish sitting on a mini chair at a mini table with two mini people, serenaded by the sounds of silverware repeatedly crashing to the ground and a spilled glass of milk dripping onto the floor.  And it was delicious.

Real food, real life.