16 April 2009

Thursday dinner

 
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While scooping second helpings for my kids, I was surprised to hear my oldest daughter call, "Dad, get the camera." She wanted to photograph her dinner plate, and when I asked her why she said, "It's delicious and you can blog about it."

The kids were all busy with after-school activities on this beautiful spring day and we didn't get home until six-fifteen. My wife was gone for the evening so I knew I had to make something quick. With leftover ham in the icebox I put a pot of water on the stove and got ready to make an easy pasta dish. I saw fresh green beans in the fridge and got to work. I minced four or five large garlic cloves while blanching the beans. A big pour of olive oil and the garlic was soon sizzling; I then added a few slices of ham that I cut into smaller pieces. The vibrant green beans were added next, along with a few fingers of tarragon and a pinch of salt. When it was all nice I mixed in the thin linguine and a topped it with a grating of parmesan cheese.

Twenty-five minutes from walking into the house to serving dinner. The kids had time to wash up and set the table, and we sat around talking for a good while after we finished eating. Even on a busy night (soccer, softball, and play practices) we lit candles, sat down to a good dinner, and talked with each other. Mealtimes aren't practice; they're the real thing every day. And some of them are blog-able, according to my daughter.

3 comments:

  1. i always wonder why mcdonalds is called "fast" food. i think some of the most delicious fast foods are made in our own kitchens.

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  2. It's the same with packaged, prepared foods, too. Their whole marketing angle is that you're too busy to cook but you can still have a "real, homemade dinner tonight." And don't those families look happier than ours, too!

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  3. This was a delicious meal! Every meal our family shows a fist-to-five. Fist is 'this is horrible" five is "this is so good I could eat this every night" the average score for this meal was a five!

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