Here are a couple of pasta dishes that make great side dishes or can be a fast, light lunch on a hectic day. They are also great for Lenten meals and meatless Friday dinners. I like the fact that you probably have the ingredients on hand so it takes the worry out of too much planning ahead.
Buttered Poppy Seed Noodles
16 ounces spaghetti
1 stick butter (margarine won't work as well here.)
2-3 tablespoons poppy seeds
Prepare your pasta to taste. Drain thoroughly and place back into warm pot. Melt the butter and add the poppy seeds. Simmer very slightly for a moment or two to blend flavors. Pour over the pasta, toss gently and serve.
Walnut-Garlic Pasta
16 ounces spaghetti
2 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup olive oil
3 cloves fresh garlic, diced
½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts
While your pasta is cooking, melt the butter with the olive oil. Throw in the garlic and cook gently until softened. Toss with the chopped walnuts, cooking two or three minutes longer. Be careful not to burn the butter/oil mixture. Pour over now cooked and drained spaghetti, mix together and serve. A crisp, green salad goes well with this. And there is always your fresh bread to consider!
There is nothing sweeter than watching kittens wake up in the morning. The orange tiger cat looks like the baby of the bunch but he is all boy and is just waiting for a chance to escape the confines of the box to strut around the floor and pounce on unexpecting siblings. The gray one has a fanstatically soft fur coat and very sweet disposition - perfect for the convent life where she is heading. The black and white one is the runt of the litter but a feisty kitten ready for games or a wrestling match. You have to be careful reaching into the box as they have all learned to jump up on your arm as a means of escape.
