Do you ever have those spells where you just feel really alive? Where you’re ravishing good music and everything tastes better and you’re curious and engaged and people who cut you off in traffic just don’t seem to matter all that much? When you battle wanderlust as you sit paying mundane bills or replying to even more mundane emails? Glimpses of hiking around Big Sur, wandering aimlessly around Nashville, or paddling through Vietnam pop up when you least expect them to? Travel and travel companions and the grand itch of spring when change and possibility seem to linger in the air: that’s where we find ourselves today.
So I thought it’d be appropriate to talk about a simple pasta dish– something I envision eating in a piazza in Rome on the brink of a long spring day. Like today. It’s a meal that’s light yet substantial, made with just a bit of butter and cream, toasted pine nuts, prosciutto, arugula and peas. A dash of salt. A dash of pepper. Bright, inviting, nourishing.
Because with daylight savings time upon us, we all have a little more time to linger and daydream and listen to good music and prepare meals that matter. Meals that bring you to Rome in the late afternoon with a companion to lean on, good conversation and a ravenous appetite. All at once. And while that’s surely not going to happen tomorrow or even next week, this simple meal can perhaps take you there (or somewhere equally dreamy) momentarily. Thank god for that.
The recipe for Springtime Pasta was published on The Kitchn this morning. Find it there.
I spend my Friday’s daydreaming and listening to good music while I eat my heart out. I’m definitely bookmarking your recipe because- this definitely has to be Friday’s lunch! Great post!
I’m with you,this time of year totally gives me the travel bug. Although I work for a University, so the only time I can really take off is in the summer. I look forward to school getting out as much as the students do!
I am dreaming of Charleston and Savannah at the end of May.
Mouth. Watering. You’ve inspired me.
I definitely feel that longing for travel and new places. This time last year I was visiting San Francisco, so I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. I’m always simultaneously scheming how to travel more and how to find a place to settle into and call home.
Beautifully written post. I love travel (minus the airlines). The dish looks amazing too.
What a day for a daydream. Custom made for a daydream boy. Wonderful post conjuring up stories from distant lands. And a delicious sounding dish, to boot!
Una buona ricetta per la pasta e deliziose foto, ciao ☺
Some of my favorite ingredients — yum.
This is one of my favorite ways to make a quick pasta dish. The only thing I would do differently is use your pasta machine that is sitting on my kitchen floor.
I second Stefania.
Days like these are the ones to savour.
Ah, isn’t food so much more than just…food? The taste, smell, texture are all wrapped up in dreams and memories, emotions and sentiments and you’ve stated it exactly. And great dish! Simple really is the best!
ooh, yum. Looks like just what I need right now.
a great birthday post yay!
Pasta in Rome, pho in Vietnam, roasted pig in Bali….ahhhhh, you’ve infected me with your wanderlust!!
this is an excellent dish for those lazy days and I wouldn’t feel like I ate junk food. Lovely photos btw
a lovely idea! I can tell you, I can perform better day-dreaming when i’m accompanied by good food
What a great mood created by your story that I could definitely relate to – and the photos and the dish seemed to align with it perfectly!
valerie
Thanks, Valerie…I think we can all relate at this point in the season, huh?
I love cooking a great pasta dish and then watching travel shows on Italy at the same time!