Andrew had a big birthday last week. He turned 30, so we celebrated by having a grown up dinner at Nightwood with a few close friends. There was so much food and fun and conversation, that I hated that it went so quickly. Today, I recalled that I made him carrot cupcakes for his 29th and posted about them exactly one year ago today. (I’m wondering why it’s been a year since I’ve made those delicious things.) Reading that post reminded me that my forgetting to give him his carefully selected birthday card is kind of a trend.
Also, last week a big decision was made. After some back and forth emailing between my advisor and me, I realized that it would be impossible for me to finish my thesis in time for a May graduation. So, I stopped writing. Possibly for good. I’m in the midst of deciding whether to take one more course in the fall and be done with a general MA or finish the thesis for the research degree. I’m leaning dramatically toward the former, but have not yet made that official. I don’t want to think about school for the next several months. So much so that I don’t even care to write about it anymore. I reached the burn out stage so long ago that I’ve been running on fumes since before I even took my comps. And now they’re burned up too.
I’m disappointed, to say the least. I feel like a failure for not being able to finish as quickly as other friends of mine have been able. But I’ve been consoling myself by thinking about how fantastic this summer has the potential to be, how a whole year of obstacles and stressful situations is behind me, and how I’m in a job I love, married to the person I love, and about to move into an apartment I love. So that’s that.
In a fashion typical to me, I celebrated my decision and the much more enjoyable weekend that followed by making something from scratch: fresh pappardelle with a creamy mushroom sauce. I followed these instructions from Gemma on Pro Bono Baker for the pasta and this general idea from The Kitchn. I wanted to try Ruhlman’s ratio for fresh pasta, but my book got packed away with all the other cookbooks in my kitchen (hence the photo taken on the moving box. Andrew’s idea.). The sauce was OK, but nothing to write about. Rather than share my mediocre version of the recipe, I’ll just suggest tossing your fresh pasta with roasted tomatoes or a pesto of some sort.
If you’ve never made fresh pasta, it’s worth doing at least once. You don’t need a fancy pasta making machine (I’m still leaving the Kitchen Aid attachment on my Amazon wish list though!), just a large flour or cutting board (or a counter you can cut directly on), a rolling pin, and a pastry or pizza cutter. I prefer the latter. The result is a simple meal that feels really special. It’s perfect for a Sunday night, because it does take longer than throwing a package of dry spaghetti into pot of boiling water. It’s completely worth it though. The work pays off when you take that first bite into what you know was merely flour and eggs just a half an hour ago.
Fresh Pappardelle
Serves 2
Ingredients:
1 cup all purpose flour
2 eggs (get them as fresh as you can)
On a large surface, dump the flour. Make a well in the middle.
Crack the eggs into a bowl and pour into the well. Begin mixing with your hands from the inside out until the dough comes together in a ball. Knead for a few minutes until smooth, sprinkling flour onto the board if necessary to prevent sticking.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and allow to rest for at least 5 minutes. I go a little longer, if I have time.
When rested, roll out your dough. I usually go pretty thin, about 1/8 inch thick. I also try to roll it into a long rectangle to get even lengths on my strands of pasta.
Using a sharp knife, pizza or pastry cutter, cut the dough into 1/2-inch strips.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and slide the pasta in. Cook for about 2 minutes and drain. Toss with fresh vegetables, olive oil, a sauce or pesto and serve.
Love Nightwood! We went this summer (maybe fall…I forgot) and it was so great! Tell Andrew I said “happy birthday!”
The pasta looks great!
Do you want a pasta maker? We have an extra. I meant to ask you this the other night. It’s brand new. Perhaps, a belated birthday gift? (if you and Andrew want it)
Also, if you ever want to go to Nightwood again, I have a small discount I need to use. :)
Um, yes I will take your extra pasta maker! And, I’m looking forward to going back to Nightwood. Just name the night!
Your pasta photo looks way better than mine. Nice work. Glad you liked it!