LAME BIRTHDAY DINNER

After the whole soccer day extravaganza, I arrived home at 6:00–the dogs unwalked and a whole sink full of dishes (natch–the dishwasher and drainer was full of clean dishes) which means–no one could ever possibly put them away without an instruction manual. Needless to say, I was quite cranky AND poor hubby–it WAS his birthday. So, I opened a bottle of wine and proceeded to scrape the dregs of the fridge to construct a reasonably acceptable dinner for him (even though I was furious from the aforementioned Quinn-male-household-gaff).

Bolognese sauce with spaghetti: soffrito of minced carrot, celery (the last few desiccated from the crisper were revived) and red onions–sauteed for 15 minutes to caramelized with minced rosemary–add a few 1/2 pound chopped meat (resurrected a few hamburger patties from the freezer). Cook until not pink and deglaze with red wine. Simmer with milk for a while–add a can of blender pureed tomatoes. Simmer for 30 minutes. Meanwhile cook the spaghetti.

The cauliflower: separate into small florets (if it’s old–as in mine then shave off brown parts first). Hot pan–add olive oil, anchovies, pepper flakes and minced shallot. Add florets and saute to coat. Add a touch of water and cook. Add currents and sliced olives to the pan and cook until tender. It was MAD good. And, hubs felt the love afterall which he so well deserves. But, we decided it’s his birthday week so I have much more love to prove!!