Post- Partum Pasta

I'll let you in on a not-so-secret secret of mine; after I have a baby (and *ahem* often for several weeks before I have a baby) I am a reeeeeaaalllly big slacker.  I cut back to 'survival mode' and give myself absolute free reign to utilize any and all resources in order to keep my house running.  This means I buy standard cleaners instead of eco-friendly ones, paper towels instead of cleaning cloths, flushable wipes, disposable diapers, frozen prepared meals - whatever.  I've hired a cleaning lady before, called on my network of friends to make grocery runs for me, bought plastic bottle liners so I didn't have to sterilize after every use and used a babysitter.  I don't necessarily do all of these things, or stop at only these options, but the suggestions I've given give you a glimpse into what I mean by 'any and all resources'.  I mean any.  I mean all.  I mean don't become my friend when I'm expecting because I'll mooch Advil off you and make you hold my baby while I pee.

Anyway.  My standard during these rough transition times is pretty minimal.  Laundry cannot go above the top of the hamper.  The cats have to have water in their water bowl.  No food left out overnight on the counter.  Remember to lock the door.  Bathe weekly.  Oh, and one cooked meal a day.  This one is very important because, as we all know, cold cuts, cheese cubes and grapes lose their appeal soon after the return from labour and delivery and the fam starts clamoring for actual sustenance.

So for Clara's darling and loud little arrival we've fallen back on a lot of pasta dishes.  Here are two of the recent inventions that have come out of the kitchen.  The discerning chef will notice that the ingredient list for each is short, low on prep, high on calories and takes advantage of prepared foods.  It's not the prettiest horse in the stable, but she goes.

Pepperoni Bow-Ties

Cook your pasta (I used plain white bow ties here, but I keep thinking penne would be nice in this)

Dice half a large pepperoni stick (maybe 1.5 cups?) and saute in a med. hot pan.  Add several diced orange and yellow tomatoes.  Once the tomatoes begin to look slightly cooked, stir in 1 container Philly cooking cream (or 1/2-1 block softened cream cheese).  Just before pouring sauce over drained pasta stir in chopped cilantro.  Toss and serve.

Breakfast Pasta

Cook your pasta (I used brown rice fettucini)

Dice and saute 1 large onion in oil.  Put aside.  Finely chop your choice of 'breakfast meat' (I used ham) and saute in the same pan as the onions.  I added a bit of melted honey to the ham, but that was purely for playing with the recipe purposes.  In the meantime, make about 2 cups of hollandaise sauce.  You can find v. easy microwave recipes of this, or you can buy hollandaise sauce packets and I won't tell if you don't.  When your pasta is done, toss it with the sauce, ham and onions, top with a fried egg and sliced tomatoes.

If you've eaten at least one cooked meal a day and are wearing clean clothes, nothing can be that bad.  Now, to increase the weekly showers...