I had this whole post written about marriage. About how easy it was before we were parents. So easy we high-fived ourselves. And about how hard it’s been since becoming parents. It was about how this Balsamic Pasta (with a salad on top) saved us. A recipe I recreated from a dish we ordered on a much needed date night a couple months ago. I deleted it. Because I got to the end and realized it wasn’t the pasta dish, though so good and quick. You need to make it. It was the ping pong table from Craigslist that saved us.
The one I told him to hold off on so I could finish the rest of the house. The one he bought anyways. The table we’ve been playing ping pong on night after night. Where we learned to shut off the rest of the world. Baby included. (Don’t worry she’s happily sleeping.) Close the door. And have fun. We laugh. I make crazy, uniformed hits across the table that sometimes hit and surprise us both.
The other day, he told me it was the best investment he’s ever made. He wasn’t talking about the ping pong table. He was talking about us.
Everything got hard when we became parents. 10,000 decisions all at once. Decisions we most often came to a different conclusion on. Decisions we made while very sleep deprived. Things felt heavy. So heavy we forgot to have fun, something we had plenty of prior to.
Someone asked me career advice a while back. I told them to play. To find a hobby and make stuff. Lots of stuff. Then see what sticks. I think marriage is a whole lot like that now, and probably then too. You have to play. And laugh. And have fun. And forget about the mortgage payment, the mid-night wake up call from the tiny person down the hall, and the red number going up and up and up next to your email app for just a second. Life gets heavy as you get older. There’s no fighting it. I’ve done the plenty of that and lost.
Play and have fun. Invest in what matters. Skip the fancy chair and buy a ping pong table or something. Just play. And make this 20 minute restaurant dinner too. Balsamic-hugged fettuccini noodles topped with a salad that wilts with a couple fork twists. It’s a good kind of wilt (coming from a sautéed spinach hater).
It’s pasta with a salad on top. A light yet creamy balsamic sauce hugs the noodles. The greens wilt, the tomatoes barely soften, and the cheese melts as the salad and pasta become one.
Ingredients
Scale
Balsamic Vinaigrette
1/2 c. olive oil
3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
squirt of honey
generous pinch of kosher salt
freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Pasta
16 oz. whole wheat fetuccinni
2 large handfuls of spinach/spring mix
2 large handfuls of cherry tomatoes
1/2 c. heavy cream
kosher salt
feta or goat cheese
Instructions
Make vinaigrette. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Whisk well until emulsified (oil and vinegar become one). Set aside. This can be made up to a couple days in advance and stored covered at room temperature.
Make pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Just before the water boils, heavily salt. Add noodles and cook according to the package.
Meanwhile, chiffonade (or thinly chop) greens. Half or quarter cherry tomatoes depending on their size. Set aside.
Strain pasta reserving a bit of the liquid in the pan (about 1/4 cup or so). I strain pasta in the pan, using a chefs knife to catch the pasta but let the water through.
If not already, add pasta back into the pan. Pour balsamic and heavy cream over the pasta. Salt to taste. Turn heat back on to medium high and gently stir noodles until the sauce hugs the pasta, about 2-3 minutes.
Plate. Top with greens, tomatoes, and feta (or goat cheese). Serve warm.
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I don’t! We’re heavy on the gluten over here. I’ve tried a couple brown rice pastas with no luck. They were too sticky. I imagine With Food and Love, Heartbeet Kitchen, or Beard and Bonnet would have some good suggestions!
Yes to all of this including that gorgeous pasta. Life gets complicated super fast, its best to have delicious pasta and ping pong to carry you through.
“I think marriage is a whole lot like that now, and probably then too. You have to play. And laugh. ” – Celebrating my two year anniversary on Sept 14th and couldn’t agree with you more!!! Last night my husband and I came home after a wonderful dinner and sat in the driveway and played laser tag with our French Bulldog, Bert. Aka – Bert chasing a red laser pointer. We hadn’t laughed that hard in a while.
Beautiful words to accompany a wonderful-looking recipe. When I make it, I’ll think of the strength and fortitude and love one needs to sustain a relationship. So glad you shared this post! xo
Beautiful words to accompany a wonderful-looking recipe. When I make it, I’ll think of the strength and fortitude and love one needs to sustain a relationship. So glad to shared this post! xo
You have such great perspective on life. We debated about moving our ping pong table with us to the new house. In the end we decided to move it, but it’s sadly sitting in the unfinished part of our basement. I think it’s time we get it out and have some fun like you. 🙂 Balsamic pasta looks great- simple, fresh, and perfect for all of those late summer tomatoes!
Adjusting from couplehood to parenthood is the real deal! So many truths here, it’s hard to take a moment when there’s just SO MUCH and not enough sleep or hours in the day. Easy and quick meals help and lots of laughing.
Thank you so much for this. We’re childless for now, and we’ve just celebrated our first year of marriage. Inevitably, whenever things get tense or tough, it’s because we haven’t been taking time for each other. I know someday we’ll be in that blessed and difficult situation of late night feedings and no time, and I hope we’ll always remember to take time and play with each other.
This post! Lady I am blown away by your honesty, humility and words of wisdom…thank you for sharing. Ping pong and pasta sounds like a perfect evening to me. Cheers to many more, x
Melissa, this post! You capture the stresses of life that we all go through so perfectly. And your advice on trying things out and seeing what sticks is gold. Thank you for sharing this!
This touches my heart in so many ways, Melissa. Thank you for sharing this delectable pasta and these precious thoughts with us — it’s life advice I know I’ll need when the time comes. Yay for that ping pong table! And everything in between. You’re an inspiration.
I adore this post! Since I’m getting married soon, this is a wonderful reminder to shut everything off and just be sometimes 🙂 The word ‘hug’ in this just makes me want to make it RIGHT now. Happy weekend friend!
Thank you so much for this post. Our little girl just turned one and we’ve had this same journey. Building and maintaining a strong marriage after baby is so hard. All of the ways you used to connect with each other are suddenly scarce commodities. Emotions – from complete bliss and content to utter frustration and loneliness – flood your life. Fortunately, when you’re both working on it, you come out on top, stronger than ever, and more in awe of your spouse than you could have ever imagined. Our savior was our chess board. A glass or two of wine over a casual match a few nights a week is our ping pong table. It’s encouraging to hear other stories of couples whose marriages are choosing to benefit from the growing pains of parenthood. I’ve read your blog for years and always enjoy your perspective and recipes.
The pasta looks wonderful and I can honestly say that after 45 years of marriage (to one person) you have to take the time to play and NOT take yourself too seriously. I miss my little ones but hubby and I are having the times of our lives. Will have to try your pasta. You’ve given pasta salad a whole new meaning.
I love pasta, so I’m going to try your recipe for sure! How much time does it take?
About 20 minutes.
This looks amazing! And your blog is gorgeous!!
Do you have any recommendations for gluten free pasta or alternatives to the pasta you used?
I don’t! We’re heavy on the gluten over here. I’ve tried a couple brown rice pastas with no luck. They were too sticky. I imagine With Food and Love, Heartbeet Kitchen, or Beard and Bonnet would have some good suggestions!
Yes to all of this including that gorgeous pasta. Life gets complicated super fast, its best to have delicious pasta and ping pong to carry you through.
Thanks for sharing! Your post really hit me on the spot, great recipe too. Food just makes everything better, doesn’t it?
I loved reading this -thank you! Those little humans sure know how to show up and change everything in an instant! Cheers to more family play time 🙂
“I think marriage is a whole lot like that now, and probably then too. You have to play. And laugh. ” – Celebrating my two year anniversary on Sept 14th and couldn’t agree with you more!!! Last night my husband and I came home after a wonderful dinner and sat in the driveway and played laser tag with our French Bulldog, Bert. Aka – Bert chasing a red laser pointer. We hadn’t laughed that hard in a while.
Beautiful words to accompany a wonderful-looking recipe. When I make it, I’ll think of the strength and fortitude and love one needs to sustain a relationship. So glad you shared this post! xo
Beautiful words to accompany a wonderful-looking recipe. When I make it, I’ll think of the strength and fortitude and love one needs to sustain a relationship. So glad to shared this post! xo
You have such great perspective on life. We debated about moving our ping pong table with us to the new house. In the end we decided to move it, but it’s sadly sitting in the unfinished part of our basement. I think it’s time we get it out and have some fun like you. 🙂 Balsamic pasta looks great- simple, fresh, and perfect for all of those late summer tomatoes!
I love this. That is all. <3
Beautiful words and a beautiful dish. Thanks for sharing!
i love this. the post, mostly. but i can’t wait to make this salad pasta. and maybe look for a ping pong table?
Adjusting from couplehood to parenthood is the real deal! So many truths here, it’s hard to take a moment when there’s just SO MUCH and not enough sleep or hours in the day. Easy and quick meals help and lots of laughing.
I suspect this is my favorite post that you’ve ever written. Also, I’m investing in a ping pong table RIGHT NOW. 😛
So sweet Melissa, I love this post – ha – ping pong does sound so fun especially since I’m the kind that would buy the fancy chair first 🙂
Your writing is just too good! I love this post for more than the recipe and miss you guys tons!
Thank you so much for this. We’re childless for now, and we’ve just celebrated our first year of marriage. Inevitably, whenever things get tense or tough, it’s because we haven’t been taking time for each other. I know someday we’ll be in that blessed and difficult situation of late night feedings and no time, and I hope we’ll always remember to take time and play with each other.
This post! Lady I am blown away by your honesty, humility and words of wisdom…thank you for sharing. Ping pong and pasta sounds like a perfect evening to me. Cheers to many more, x
This post is beautiful. Your words are beautiful. And that bowl of pasta is screaming my name. Well done. xx
Melissa, this post! You capture the stresses of life that we all go through so perfectly. And your advice on trying things out and seeing what sticks is gold. Thank you for sharing this!
This touches my heart in so many ways, Melissa. Thank you for sharing this delectable pasta and these precious thoughts with us — it’s life advice I know I’ll need when the time comes. Yay for that ping pong table! And everything in between. You’re an inspiration.
I adore this post! Since I’m getting married soon, this is a wonderful reminder to shut everything off and just be sometimes 🙂 The word ‘hug’ in this just makes me want to make it RIGHT now. Happy weekend friend!
Yum this looks delicious!
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Thank you so much for this post. Our little girl just turned one and we’ve had this same journey. Building and maintaining a strong marriage after baby is so hard. All of the ways you used to connect with each other are suddenly scarce commodities. Emotions – from complete bliss and content to utter frustration and loneliness – flood your life. Fortunately, when you’re both working on it, you come out on top, stronger than ever, and more in awe of your spouse than you could have ever imagined. Our savior was our chess board. A glass or two of wine over a casual match a few nights a week is our ping pong table. It’s encouraging to hear other stories of couples whose marriages are choosing to benefit from the growing pains of parenthood. I’ve read your blog for years and always enjoy your perspective and recipes.
The pasta looks wonderful and I can honestly say that after 45 years of marriage (to one person) you have to take the time to play and NOT take yourself too seriously. I miss my little ones but hubby and I are having the times of our lives. Will have to try your pasta. You’ve given pasta salad a whole new meaning.