Fog
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
– Carl Sandburg, “Fog”
It was a foggy drive today as I went to visit my youngest at university. She and I cooked together, making food for a friend whose brother died this week.
“I don’t know what to say when somebody dies, Mom.”
“Neither do I, honey.”
We take food, and say how sorry we are, and hope they know how much we care.
Pasta and Chicken with Mascarpone
Inspired by Italian Food Forever
1 cup mascarpone cheese at room temperature
zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
a few grinds of black pepper
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut into 1/2” dice
1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
3 cups baby spinach
2 cups dry penne
salt (for pasta water)
1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
Combine the mascarpone, zest, lemon juice and pepper in a bowl, and whisk to combine. Bring a pasta pot of salted water to boil.
While waiting for the water, heat the oil in a skillet, and cook the chicken until it is cooked through and just beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and spinach, and cook another minute or two, until spinach is wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook the pasta until al dente. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
Return the pasta to the pot, and set over medium heat. Stir in the mascarpone and lemon mixture, the chicken mixture, and sun-dried tomatoes. Loosen the sauce with 1/4 cup of the water and toss the ingredients together until everything is combined, adding a little additional pasta water if needed.
Serve immediately, topped with toasted sliced almonds.
My dad used to recite that poem—I haven't thought about it in years 🙂 I'm so sorry to hear your daughter is dealing with a friend's loss. Food is always my way of offering comfort, too. This looks like wonderful comfort food.
I love that little poem, always a favorite here. You did just right with your cooking from the heart. And, you know what? It doesn't matter what you say when you are there, just being there for someone, they don't know what to say either. Words are over-rated, cooking never is. xo
This looks really yummy!!! Great post dear! <3 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
I Love that poem! Food is my favorite way of showing that I care/love/appreciate someone. This pasta looks wonderful 🙂
Sues
This for sure looks very comforting!
Sorry for the reason you had to cook this, but it looks good. It was really foggy in Ann Arbor yesterday too.
Hi Beth, so sorry for your daughter and her friend. Your daughter sounds like a very caring person. She must take after her parents.
Sad reason for making this dish but I totally understand how we respond and show how we care with food.
In my experience, saying you don't know what to say is better than saying the wrong thing.
Death is so final and heartbreaking especially when it involves a young person who wasn't able to complete his life cycle! Food is one thing that brings a bit of a comfort.
it's so hard to know the right thing to say, but not hard to know the right thing to do–providing food is caring and comforting and kind. great dish!
I don't think there's any good thing to say to someone who's experiencing a loss. Other than to say you're sorry. And bring food (or do something else) to show you mean it. BTW, haven't read that poem in years. It's a good one.
Food is a wonderful way to say I care and the pasta dish looks and sounds like a delicious and comforting meal.
I do the same thing. Food is love and that's all you need. This sounds awesome!
So sorry to hear about your daughter's friend and her brother. That's so nice that you guys cooked food for her.
Anu
http://www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/
I love this Beth! Look comfy and delicious !!!
Food is the perfect way to say your care, sorry for your daughter's loss.
What a sad context for a lovely recipe… My middle daughter has lost a surprising number of friends–I feel for them just a little more, experiencing this so young.
Hi Beth, I'm sorry for the sad circumstance. Food is such a thoughtful way to show you're thinking of someone. This recipe looks great. I'm bookmarking it, as I really need to break out of a meal-making rut. Thanks.
So sorry about your daughter's friend. So hard.
Recipe looks delicious!