Haluski (cabbage & egg noodles) with bacon

Almost 4 years ago, I skipped town on vacation and temporarily handed over the reigns to my blog.  My then-boyfriend offered to cook, photograph, and write about one of his favorite recipes to share  with all of you.  How sweet of him!

So much has changed since then, like the fact that I no longer have a boyfriend but a husband.  An awesome husband who insisted upon cooking dinner every single night (!) last week.  We had tacos, sausage with peppers and onions, huevos rancheros, chicken Caesar salads, and -- Matt's specialty -- haluski with bacon!  Despite having eaten many versions of haluski, we both agree this is the best version, thanks to the bacon.

Here's the updated recipe with some new pictures and the original post written by Matt:

I have to start by applauding Katy for her skills and organization in the kitchen.  My attempt to prepare a meal, take pictures, and make mental notes about what I was doing can best be described as a maelstrom of chaos (this description brought to you by the Department of Redundancy Department).  Bear with me, as this is my foray into the food blogging world.

Pasta with asparagus, chicken & goat cheese

Looking at the calendar, it's hard to believe that Matt's been in my life since 2007.  We met in February of that year at work, became colleagues and then friends, and slowly (and secretly) started dating that summer.  There were so many opportunities for us to miss one another had we made different choices leading up to that meeting.  But, thankfully, none of them matter because today he's my partner, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

All that's happened in those short 7 years could fill a book: highs and lows, good times and not so great times, and so much teaching and learning.  I can honestly say that Matt has brought out the best in me and continues to challenge me and open my eyes to new things every day.  What more could a person ask for in a partner?

Recently, we had a conversation about some of those changes, like things we once disliked but now love thanks to the other person.  Maybe it was a previous negative experience, a bad review from someone else, or simple ignorance; whatever it was, we were not fans of this stuff.

Penne with spinach & fried eggs

Considering what a neurotic perfectionist I am, my daily life is full of little failures.  Or, maybe it's the other way around: my life is full of little failures because I'm such a perfectionist.

What's that?  It's Monday, you say?  You came here looking for a light-hearted story and an easy recipe rather than the cynical ramblings of a 29-year-old complaining about first world problems?  Keep reading -- I promise this is going somewhere delicious.

I'm currently training for my second half marathon (May 4th is the big day).  By no means does this make me a seasoned runner or marathoner, yet I feel so much more at ease this time around.  I wish I could tell 2009 post-foot surgery and pre-half marathon Katy the following: "Chill out and enjoy yourself!  You've trained enough; the rest is mental."  After all, my goal then was simply to finish.

Sausage & gnocchi soup

Remember that time I was totally spontaneous and made the most amazing soup on the fly?

Yeah, me neither.  Not the second part, but certainly the first.  The part about being spontaneous.  The part that involved no forethought or planning.

Yes, it's really me.  And, no, I haven't been brainwashed by aliens.

Have you ever been craving something but weren't sure exactly what that something was?  Psychologists, doctors, and those crazy coaches on The Biggest Loser might insist that feeling is merely boredom and you're not really hungry.

I wholeheartedly disagree.

Baked Tuscan mac & cheese

Hey there and happy December!  It feels good to be back after the Thanksgiving holiday.  I put a few vacation days to good use and treated myself to an extra long weekend.  It's incredible what you can find time to do with 6 days away from the office.  (Think I'll remember what to do when I return tomorrow?)

There was so much time with family cooking, relaxing by the fire, and eating.  On Friday, we froze our tails off at the Pitt game, but it was worth it to enjoy time with our friends.  Matt and I even caught the new Hunger Games movie (so good!) and decked our halls with Christmas decorations.

So much fun and most of it was fueled by Thanksgiving leftovers.  Turkey soup, turkey sandwiches, spoonfuls of stuffing right out of the refrigerator... ahem.

Fast Friday: Creamy avocado pasta with peas

How's everybody feeling?  It's Friday, and I'm feelin' free!  So free that I'm going to confess a few things to you.  These are my confessions.  [Cue the Usher tunes.]

On Wednesday this week, November 6th, it was a balmy and sunny 72 degrees here in Pittsburgh.  It was lovely and nice and made for a pleasant lunchtime walk!

But...

I prefer the cooler and grayer weather of yesterday and today, at least this time of year.  My summer clothes were stashed weeks ago, and I'm totally enjoying getting reacquainted with my thick sweaters and plush scarves.

Talk of bundling up leads to my next confession.

Chicken noodle soup

There are few things I love waking up to more than a sparkling clean apartment.

(My husband, a fresh blanket of snow, and doughnuts occupy the first three spots.)

But a freshly-cleaned home makes my heart so happy.  It means that I've earned whatever fun activity I've got planned, or I can come home after a long day at work and simply unwind.

I absolutely dread doing laundry on a weeknight.  Between checking the machines, folding, and putting away clothes, I don't seem to sit still for more than a few minutes.  I can't tell you how many times I've missed a fantastic play in a hockey game because I was searching for the other matching sock.

Because of my dislike for weeknight chores, coupled with a few busy weekends spent out and about, let's just say we'd gotten a bit behind on cleaning.  Dirty laundry was no longer contained to the basket; there was a ramp of clothes leading up to the top.  Yikes.

Italian meatball soup

We're barely a few days into fall, and I've already embraced one of my favorite cool weather traditions: soup Sundays.

(Actually, I brought it back over 3 weeks ago with a batch of my favorite chili because I couldn't wait any longer.  Try to act surprised.)

I love lazy Sunday afternoons.  Open windows inviting a crisp breeze into the apartment.  TV alternating between football and the movie du jour on Comedy Central while folding laundry.  Oh, and did I mention the sweatpants?  Lurve the sweatpants.

It's all enough to make you want to push the "Pause" button and linger in those moments for the next week.  Especially when everything is perfumed by the most fantastic aromas coming from something simmering over the kitchen stove.  Cozy, thy definition is quite simply "autumn."

Gnocchi with zucchini, goat cheese, and corn, chicken

Despite my bragging, I managed to avoid jinxing things/tempting Mother Nature.  We ended up with another weekend of picture perfect weather.  I've always fancied myself a (rare) winter-loving East Coast gal, but I think I'm starting to really enjoy this thing called summer.

Before you get worried and think I'm going to become some warm-weather craving Californian reptile, let me assure you that this new-found fondness for summer has a long way to go before it even enters the same state, let alone zip code :)

But, summer sure has its perks, doesn't it?  At least the kind of summer we're having so far.  Temperatures in the 80s, sunny with a few sporadic clouds, and the most perfect light breeze to keep you from feeling downright hot.

Good weather can be almost hypnotic.  It makes nearly every idea seem like the best idea ever!  Outdoor concerts in a field!  Kayaking in a muddy river!  Ice cream for dinner!  (Obviously)  Making our favorite zucchini goat cheese pizza at home!

Cheesy zucchini orzo

Absence is a funny thing.  They (who, exactly?  I've always wondered) say it makes the heart grow fonder.  It's the time apart that makes you appreciate that someone or something.  Even something that you swore you wanted a break from at last meeting.

No, this is not a subtle jab at any person in my life.  I love all of you dearly and wish I could see so many of you much, much more often!  :)

Instead, this is a bit of a sheepish apology to zucchini.  Last year, you see, I may have gone a bit overboard with zucchini recipes.  I grilled it, roasted it, fried it, and ate it raw.  I sliced it, stuffed it, and grated it into pieces.  I dressed it up and baked it into anything I could possibly imagine.  And it was so undeniably delicious.

Greek tilapia with feta tomato orzo

I was all set to write about the abundant sunshine we've been enjoying and this bright and fresh recipe.  But, it seems like Mother Nature is trying to foil my plan by soaking much of the East Coast with rain.  Luckily, this dish will brighten up your next mealtime, rain or shine.

With the official comfort food months of fall and winter are long behind us, we've been enjoying less oven-bound casseroles and heavy pasta dishes in favor of grilled meats, market fresh vegetables and salads of spring and summer. 

But, as the mercury rises, so increases my will to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.  I usually reserve Saturday mornings for running, but I've been getting the itch to pound the pavement more often and also earlier in the week.  Matt has always raved about post-sunset summer runs as being the best, so I decided to give it a go last week.  Gone are the scorching sun, humidity, and crowded city of the daytime.  When I head out around 8:45, I'm welcomed by warm summer air, a light cool breeze, and empty sidewalks.  Perfection!

Penne with roasted vegetables and sausage

First, s'more cupcakes.  And now this -- pasta with roasted summer vegetables and sausage.  Summer is almost, sorta, kinda, ok not technically yet but who cares basically here!  At least according to my appetite, anyway.

Yes, I realize spring has barely begun, but I'm no fan of spring.  I love certain things that occur during the spring months like Easter, the introduction of oodles of new cute dresses in stores, and the NHL playoffs.  But I do not like the weather of spring.  30 degrees in the morning and 60 by day's end?  No, thank you.

Mac & cheese bites

If there's one challenge that will always excite me, it's that involved with planning a party.  My friends know that I will truly look for any excuse to entertain.  New digs, birthdays, holidays, the Academy Awards, and sporting events just to name a few.  I also have a mental list of get-togethers I'd like to throw in the future including, but not limited to, a pie party, an ice cream sundae party, a throwback foods and games from our childhood party, and even a girls only Disney princess party.

Wha?  There's no limit on the age of a Disney princess :)

Thankfully, I needed no creative brainstorming to come up with an idea for this party.  Someone is getting married and obviously wanted a bachelorette party!  I hosted the first part at our apartment before we headed out for a night on the town. 

Slow cooker lasagna

It's sizzlin' slow cooker February 'round these parts, in case you haven't heard!

And, though I'm only two recipes in, I've got a secret to share with you: I'm falling head over heels in love with my Crock Pot all over again.  I totally did not see this coming!

What's not a secret is how much I love to cook.  It's such an important part of my evening routine.  Cooking dinner gives me a chance to work with my hands, create something something delicious, and step away from everything else in my life for a little while.

But, as I noticed last week, everything else in my life seems to be requiring a little more of me lately.  "Pay attention to me!" scream the overflowing laundry basket, still-ailing desktop computer, and pile of W-2s and other tax materials.

In other words, the annoying adult stuff is being super immature and throwing a fit, drowning out the pleasant chirping of the fun stuff ("Pay attention to me!  I'm fun!").  Not cool, adult stuff, not cool.

Fast Friday: Farfalle with bacon, beans, and kale

Have you ever been so focused on one food that it's all you can think about?  That you start trying to add it other dishes that are traditionally mixed with aforementioned ingredient?

When I tell you this ingredient, you're not going to be shocked.  Or overwhelmed. Not even whelmed.  (Brownie points to the first person to correctly identify that pop culture reference!)

Drumroll please... it's bacon!

Are you yawning?  Are you thinking things like "Tell me something I didn't already know, Katy,"?  Have your socks have become more secured on your feet?

I guess it's no secret that I love bacon.

Sneaky easy baked ravioli

Semi-homemade!  Totally unscripted!  Or, as I like to call it, Wednesday's surprisingly really, really awesome dinner.

(Public Service Announcement: I might get a little italic and bold happy with this recipe.  It was just so unbelievably good and, you know, since you couldn't be here to taste it, I've got to convey that to you somehow.  My apologies if anything other than normal font offends you.)

Okay, so it wasn't that much of a surprise that Matt and I both loved the heck out of this dish because we also loved every single ingredient that went into it!  As Joey would say: "Tomatoes - good.  Beef - good.  Ravioli - good.  Cheese - good."

Don't worry -- there were no lady fingers or jam in sight.

Creamy taco pasta

I can't believe that today marks the midpoint of August.  I've now officially entered the "oh crap, I haven't done that awesome thing I wanted to do this summer yet!" panic.  Fairs, water parks, outdoor movies, hiking, you name it.  Time is running out!  At least we have a trip to Kennywood planned for next week.  Panic reduced... slightly.  Who are we kidding?  I'm still a bit spazzy.

Everywhere you look it's "back to school" this and that.  As a working adult, one who has been out of school since the summer of 2006, I've got this to say -- I'm totally green with envy.  I looooove back to school shopping!  Raise your hand if you agree.

New notebooks (do kids even need those anymore?) and pencils in a rainbow of colors, the hippest backpack, and a first day of school outfit that's sure to impress the fellas.  Out of 13 first day of school outfits, it's likely that half involved some sort of jumper or skort.  Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure one appeared late in junior high if not early high school.  "Cool" is such a subjective term, don't you think?

While you kindly figure out how to justify a back to school shopping trip for me (any and all reasons are welcome!), I'm going to try to turn a blind eye to all of the crazy sales at the grocery store.

Yes, the grocery store.

Smarter pasta dinner!

After a rather wimpy winter, spring is almost here.  It was so warm yesterday that I didn't shiver once on my walk back from the gym with a mop of wet hair.  That's a big deal in March in Pittsburgh, people!  But, it should come as no surprise that I'm determined to get a few more days out of my snowflake placemats until the calendar reads March 20th, the official start to spring.

To me, spring means flowers, rainstorms, cleaning, Girl Scout cookies, and Easter.  It also that means swimsuit season is a few months away.  You can bet that everyone and his brother are already setting their sights on bathroom scales and dinner plates, swearing off carbs for the next three months.

Cleeeeearly these same people are unaware of the possibilities to make a pasta-centric dish the most balanced and hearty thing you'll ever eat.  And, I even used a smaller dinner plate!  Check it out:

Pasta with white beans, tomatoes, and onions!

So nice, I did it twice!

Matt is a fairly easy to please kind of guy.  Especially in the kitchen, which he considers my domain and happily gives me the reigns to plan meals week after week.  With a few exceptions (steamed broccoli, cucumbers, and black olives) he'll eat almost anything.

On Friday or Saturday, I'll ask if he has anything in mind for dinners next week.  He'll reply, "Oh, not really.  Whatever you make will be great."

And, although he knows I'm going to ask what he wants to eat, and I know that he'll respond that it doesn't matter to him, we continue to do our little dance.  We're creatures of habit, I suppose.  I call it the meal plan dance.

Confession: I just made that up.  I'm creative like that.

So, last week when I began our little waltz, I almost stepped on Matt's feet when he said, "You know, I could go for pasta.  With meat sauce.  You made it a long time ago, and I really liked it.  Yeah, that sounds good." 

Whaaaaaaat?  Who was this guy and what had he done with my husband?

We started talking about how I rarely repeat recipes, even the ones I swear I'll make on a weekly basis because they're that damn delicious.  So I dug up the instructions for my favorite simple bolognese sauce and realized that the last time I made it was almost, to the very day, one year ago.

I  guess some things are just meant to be!  Like this bolognese.  Why I didn't jump on the bandwagon months ago and make extra batches to freeze for cold mild almost spring-like nights in February I'll never know.  It's so easy and so healthy and so bleeping good!

Totally worth repeating again and again and again.  This is the kind of classic recipe that every home cook should have in his/her arsenal.  It's infinitely adaptable: ground pork, turkey, or even chicken in place of beef!  Throw in some sliced mushrooms or chopped peppers.  Serve it over polenta or make a saucy sandwich by loading up a big ciabatta roll.

Trust me, this is the real deal, folks :)

One year ago: Simple bolognese with pasta
Two years ago: Grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich

Penne with butternut squash and goat cheese

I've had this recipe waiting for a while.  Why the delay?  I wish I had a better reason than "I got married" but that's it.  I've already let myself go.  (Sorry, Matt.)

But really, it's a funny story.  Working ahead and writing up posts to share with you while I'm at sea, I saw this, and thought, "Whoh!  I remember that!  I thought I'd posted that already.  Oops, guess not.  Huh... I could go for that again."  So, I indulged my id and made it again, without photography this time.  

You'll have to forgive me for the Thanksgiving napkin that snuck its way into the picture.  Along with myself, I've apparently let my napkins go, too.

Tsk tsk.

Anyway, I give you penne with butternut squash, goat cheese, and walnuts.  Loaded with flava!