Spring Pasta... with a side of relaxation!

I love to try new recipes.

I found this totally easy one on Food & Wine's website; http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/penne-with-asparagus-sage-and-peas After a jam packed weekend, all I wanted to do was head home & cook a meal for the two of us!

We have been so busy with travel, throwing parties in our home, and special events that I have not cooked us a "real" meal just for us in over 2 weeks. That is WAY too long!! (All of those things probably also contribute to my lack of blog posts!)

This recipe is perfect for a spring dinner although I did make a few changes:

I added chicken (to make the meal more substantial)

I substituted dried sage for the fresh (because I didn't have fresh :)

I omitted the butter (because I didn't think it needed it with the richness of the half & half)

I substituted half & half for the cream (because it is what I had in the fridge)

I substituted roasted garlic infused olive oil for the fresh garlic (because I didn't have any garlic in the house!)

Even with those adjustments it turned out really well.

Chris loved it- he is pretty darn complimentary of whatever I cook though- so maybe I should take his compliments with a grain of salt :) ? Even if I deem a dish a failure, Chris will typically thank me for making it & eat it anyway. Often he ends up telling me he thinks my failures are good! I sure do love that about him.

Cooking for the two of us is all about slowing down the pace of our lives. I like to be busy, to have a full plate, to plan & attend parties, etc- but I do love the aftermath- that blissful moment when you realize you have a few hours ahead of you with nothing you need to do and no where you need to go. Except to make dinner and enjoy it  at home with your husband.

I hope you have a chance to try this recipe out- or do what I did & take your own riff on it! Let me know in the comments if you try it!