Garlicky Spaghetti with Spinach and Tomatoes

(Yes, I love garlic!)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.  2 Corinthians 1:3

Food for the Palate
Ingredients:

8 oz of your favorite pasta

Spinach and Tomato Sauce:

1 Tbsp olive oil

6 garlic cloves, sliced

2 cups of cherry tomatoes, cut into halves

Five or six large fresh basil leaves, julienned

1/2 cup crispy bacon or pancetta, diced

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

3 to 4 cups fresh baby spinach

1/2 cup pecorino cheese, grated

Instructions:

You will want to prepare your pancetta or bacon ahead of time, drain and set aside.

Fill a large pot with water and place over high heat to bring it to a boil and cook according to the package directions. Once the pasta is done, reserve 1 cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta. 

While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and sauté until you can smell it (less than a minute).

Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper. Sauté the tomatoes until the skins burst and the tomatoes begin to release their juices. Keep the heat to medium-low, stir and make sure the garlic doesn't burn. Once the tomatoes begin to burst add the spinach (with a pinch of salt) and gently combine with tomatoes and garlic. 

 

Add the pasta to the pan with tomatoes and spinach and fold in. Remove from heat and add the pecorino cheese, the pancetta or bacon (save a few pieces for the top of your pasta at the end) and slowly add pasta water that you had reserved to make a creamy sauce in your pan. Keep tossing until the pasta is coated in the sauce and everything is combined. Serve with some grated cheese, fresh basil, a few pieces of pancetta or bacon, and a drizzle of olive oil. Tasty to the Palate! 

Food for the Soul

According to the International Pasta Organization’s 2019 World Pasta Industry Status Report, the United States consumes 5.95 billion pounds of pasta per year. The average American consumes approximately 20 lbs. of pasta annually. People in Italy consume an average of 50 pounds per year. 

(https://sharethepasta.org)

I love pasta! I can't state that enough. But regrettably, over the years I have also learned that I have to eat it in moderation and with a lot of constraint. While I find this sad, it is a reality as I have watched my waistline grow over my 60-plus years of life. But that doesn't stop me from enjoying a wonderful bowl of the warm, delicious, creamy, comforting dish from time to time. It just means an extra 30 minutes on my exercise bike. 

Pasta is like a big heartwarming hug that brings a sense of instant contentment for me. And with almost 6 billion pounds of pasta sold per year in this world, I don't think I am the only one that enjoys the comforts of the sauce-dripping, cheese-oozing noodle either!

As much as I love the comfort with each delicious fork-twirling bite of pasta that I can stuff my mouth with, nothing can truly satisfy and comfort me like God can. His Word tells us in 2 Corinthians 1:3, Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. There is no better place to receive true and lasting comfort than when we are nestled in the arms of God's love and His promises. God and God alone, is the God of all comfort. He says in Isaiah 51:12, “I, yes I, am the one who comforts you”. What a huge relief to know that God Himself knows our needs and He alone brings us His loving, merciful, grace-giving comfort that brings true inner peace and joy to our souls. 

Sophia Loren once said that she owes everything that she has to spaghetti, and that she would rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size 0. And while I can get on board with the message she was trying to state about her love for eating pasta, she got one thing wrong. We owe everything that we are to our heavenly Father.  

Listen, if you are a pasta lover like me, don't deprive yourself of those comforting noodles once in a while. But don't think for one minute that you're going to find real lasting comfort with noodles wrapped around your waist! The only true comfort comes from being wrapped in the arms of God Himself. Satisfying to the Soul!