Tuscany

I am a food network and food-inspired-television-show junkie.  I didn't used to be. I have many things that I attribute this descent to: the Navy- you introduced me to Sushi, Southeast Asia, and many wines and beers of the world; my husband- your excitement over food rivals my own and challenged my competitive spirit to create better dishes (but please, taste the food before you start adding spices! I don't ALWAYS forget the crushed red pepper!) and most recently, Eli-had you not eaten so much and so often in your early phases I would never have been able to memorize the show line up and therefore been able to turn on the TV just in time to catch Barefoot Contessa, followed by Giada at Home and then flipping to the reason for this post, Anthony Bourdaine, No Reservations, promptly at 5pm.

As Eli played the other day I saw that Anthony Bourdain was going to be doing his show from the magical land of Tuscany.  Isaac and I were lucky enough to get to spend a few days in Florence a couple of years ago and we reminisce about that trip on a weekly basis.  (No exaggeration...the food, the wine, the scarves, the gellato..drifting off now...)

After about 10 minutes of watching him oooh and ahhh over wine and cheese, I decided it was a pasta night.  After a quick survey of my kitchen and a comparison to some recipes online, I found this recipe which I felt wouldn't derail our efforts to eat healthier.  (You have to cut the calories somewhere when you are busy in a cake decorating class and making chocolatey Valentine's treats)

I pretty much followed the recipe but I cut up half of a rotisserie chicken, didn't have as much fresh basil so I added extra crushed red pepper, cracked black pepper and paprika (not the same but we like spice!) and used 2 14.5oz cans of Hunts Fire Roasted Tomatoes.  I had a box of whole wheat linguini and used about 1/2 to 3/4 of it.  We paired an inexpensive Pinot Noir with it which picked up the peppery notes that in our opinion, enhanced the flavor.  (Chianti was an obvious first choice but we didn't have the luck of having one on hand.)

It was a quick meal to throw together and set a relaxing mood which we can always appreciate.

And for my first of hopefully many random things over the next 30 days, here are the cupcakes that I decorated last night in class that I then offered to all the employees of Michaels.  Strawberry with Nutella filling:

A tribute to Donald and Lovella Lightner to follow...after I get Eli his snack :)