Recipe #44: Parmesan and Bacon with Macaroni Noodles

Usually when I work on Saturdays it is pretty calm and there are not a lot of issues and special requests that cause our staff to scramble. Well today I was hit with a crazy work day filled with a work load that could have easily been delegated to a few more people than to just those who were scheduled. And that is an understatement!

So by the time I got home I was either going to crash on the couch for the rest of the day or I was going to do something to alleviate my stress. When Ian and I got home we decided to run because we were both feeling like we needed to exercise but we also needed to knock out some anxiety and aggression. (We both work in customer service positions so even though we find our jobs to be really rewarding they can also be really challenging, too!)

After we ran a couple of miles we were both craving carbohydrates. We decided we really wanted pasta but since I was not in the mood for marinara I scoured www.foodgawker.com for a recipe that would be cost efficient and practical for tonight's recipe. I landed on this recipe: http://www.mikekostyo.com/blog/2011/8/25/lemon-and-roasted-garlic-fettuccine-w-brussels-sprouts-leave.html and it definitely hit the spot for our taste for salt and carbs. Yum!

Ingredients:

* 8 oz of bacon
* 2 cups of Macaroni Noodles
* 1 cup of raw spinach leaves
* 3 Tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
* 3 Tbsp of Lemon Juice
* 1 tsp of Ground Pepper
* 2 large Cloves of Garlic
* 2 Tbsp of Butter
* 1/2 cup of Parmesan Cheese




Cooking Directions:

First, take the bacon and cut into slices with cooking scissors.

In a medium frying pan cook the bacon over medium heat to the level of crispiness you desire. (Personally, I prefer mine to be soft and tender.)

Once the bacon is cooked remove and place on paper towels to absorb the fat.

Pour out all but one tablespoon of the bacon fat and add the olive oil, lemon juice, and spinach leaves.

On a cutting board mince the garlic.

Once the spinach leaves have softened add the minced garlic.

After the garlic simmers for only a minute or so add the parmesan cheese and mix together before setting aside.

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and add the macaroni noodles. Cook for about 10 minutes and then add the sauce mixture and the bacon. Mix together and serve hot.