Muffin Top

I made myself lunch today. I thought about making a sandwich or grabbing some leftovers out of the fridge or a hunk of cheese and bread (or ahem, just eating chips and sour cream or some other crap), as I often do when I am home by myself, during lunchtime.

But–I just didn’t feel like making myself another sandwich or eating tidbits. And so I found myself wanting, meandering around the kitchen, wanting something a little more special, but feeling way too lazy to venture out for a meal (even more intimidating is eating alone in a restaurant for lunch).

Instead, I made myself a hot meal from scratch. I don’t know what made me do that–maybe it was the beautiful blue sky that made me feel a bit limitless…or the pile of overripe tomatoes in the kitchen that made me feel a bit pragmatic and want to use them…or perhaps I was just sick of leftovers and tidbits for lunch.

In any case, I eyed the ingredients on hand and decided, “I have enough ingredients to pull this off.”

I had fresh basil in my garden, tomatoes, garlic, pine nuts (a bit of excess from my pesto ingredient list), olive oil, and a box of angel hair pasta.

That’s all I really needed. That’s all you really need to make this dish and sit yourself down to a highly civilized and delicious lunch. That’s all you really need to treat yourself.

Why don’t I make meals for one more often? It’s a hassle, I know–but totally worth it!

The dish was ready within 15 minutes (including chopping and prepping). And the result? Simple, delicious, and fully reminiscent of the summer season–and a great treat for yourself. (btw, you can make this dish for quite a few more people, if you so desire).

Recipe follows after the jump…

Pasta with tomatoes, pine nuts and basil (serves 2)

Ingredients
1/8 cup olive oil
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 garlic clove, minced
2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (a large handful is what I’d call it)
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried, crumbled
Salt and pepper
4 ounces angel hair pasta, freshly cooked
grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions
Put pasta in boiling salted water

Heat oil in a heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add pine nuts and garlic and saute until light brown. Then stir in the tomatoes, basil, and oregano for just a little bit, until they’re heated through. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Pour the mixture over the pasta and toss…and sprinkle with the parmesan cheese.