Our Last Meal Together

I still think of her sometimes. Her name was Renee. And everything about her was just … well, perfect. Her smile, her sense of humor, her birthmark that peeked ever so slightly … sorry, I drifted a bit … she was just a special woman. My only regret was that our relationship was so short-lived.

We met six months before she was scheduled to join the Peace Corps, so I went into it knowing that things would eventually end. Now whoever originally suggested that time flies when you’re having fun was definitely on to something. Our love affair was torrid, but I looked up one day and it was time for her to go.

On our last night together, my primary mission was to make it memorable …. so I planned, and planned … and then planned some more. We shuttled between restaurants, concerts, and lounges, so by the time we got home, we collapsed in a heap of exhaustion. If I could replay it all over again, I would have just cooked for her. Our night should have consisted of us being alone, instead of in the midst of society’s chaotic bustle. I chalk that up to youthful ignorance.

But the lesson has been learned, so it’s time for me to officially pass that knowledge on so you can avoid my mistake.

Sorry Renee … I should have known better.

Today’s Fly Question: If you had to prepare one last meal before a loved one went away, what would you make?

The Fly Recipe –Spicy Shrimp Pasta

The Fly Ingredients
1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 ounces pasta, any kind
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 green onions, chopped
1 lemon, juice and zest of, about 2 Tbsp juice
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes, diced (adjust to taste) or 1-2 jalapeno pepper, diced (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed or 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons dry white wine
1 tomato, chopped
salt
fresh cracked pepper

The Fly Directions
1. Boil the pasta in salted water until it is done to your liking.
2. Drain well reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
3. Place pasta in serving bowl or divide among two dinner bowls.
4. While pasta water is heating zest and juice lemon and prepare all ingredients.
5. After adding pasta to boiling water, sprinkle a small amount of olive oil in a cold nonstick skillet.
6. Turn heat on to medium high let pan warm for a minute or two.
7. Add the shrimp, garlic, onion, lemon rind, and pepper and cook stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes.
8. Add tomatoes, salt, basil, lemon juice, and white wine. Stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until shrimp turn pink.
9. Add in as much of the 1 cup reserved pasta water as you like- if any- to make as much sauce as you would like.
10. Taste sauce and adjust seasonings to your taste. If you would like a more onion or garlic flavor, add onion or garlic powder.
11. Spoon over drained pasta and garnish with fresh black pepper or additional pepper flakes if desired.
12. Other nice garnishes would be a little chopped parsley or green onion as well as a sprinkling of fresh grated parmesan.
13. Light the candles, top off the wine glasses and serve.