Spaghetti Supper

There was a time, before the boys were born, when I used to cook a lot.  More than Jude, even.  And I loved cooking.  

As busy as we are these days, too often we resort to takeout.  Burger Up.  International Market.  12th South Taproom.  Taco Mama.  And on and on.  

Last night, a Sunday, I cooked spaghetti for Jude and Joe.  JP was gone to the Predators' game with a friend.  I picked up the groceries mid-afternoon while I was out running errands and getting a 3 mile run in on the treadmill at the Green Hills Y.  I enjoy grocery shopping even more when I know I'm shopping for things I'm going to use to make dinner that evening. 

While Joe was upstairs studying and Jude was catching upon on some work, I chopped up a green pepper, red pepper, and sweet onion.  I sautéed some three cloves of minced garlic in olive oil, then added the green/red peppers and onions, along with a pinch of pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.  Next, I added the ground beef, browned it, drained off the grease, and placed it back in my trusty, large skillet.  In with the tomato sauce and fresh tomatoes, let it simmer for 35 or 40 minutes, and all that was left was the pasta.  15 minutes to al dente and voila, dinner was ready.

It's a simple thing, cooking dinner for my family.  But as is the case so often, the simple things are the best, most meaningful things.  Cooking for my family centers me, and I say that as someone who is very, very far away from an expert.  I have my go-to's - spaghetti, chili, white chili, Santa Fe bean soup, stir fry.  Nothing spectacular or complicated.  Still, somehow, it's the act of preparing the ingredients, cooking them, and watching my family eat that is inherently gratifying to me.  

I like it that when I cook dinner, Jude can relax, even if it's just for a few minutes.  Or, perhaps, she can do some work.  JP and Joe, usually, are studying upstairs.  Sometimes, I listen to a podcast on my AirPods.  Other times, I listen to Alexa playing me music, anything from John Hiatt to Drive By Truckers, depending on my mood.  Maybe even some John Coltrane.  Last night, Jude and I talked intermittently as I cooked and she worked.  

I think I'm going to try to cook once a week, even if it's something I make in the slow cooker.  It's doable, I think, if I plan and prepare ahead of time. 

Soon enough, cooking for four will be cooking for three, which is hard to believe.