Pasta

Pasta with Italian sausage and feta cheese.

1 lb Italian sausage. (I like hot, but mild works fine.)

1 large can finely diced tomatoes.
1 bag egg noodles (any pasta works, this feels right)
Handful of fresh chopped basil
2 cloves finely chopped garlic
1 container of feta cheese. Crumbled. 8 Oz?
Several bottles of red wine. Cab. I tried it with a zin and it was too sweet. Get something you will both enjoy.

Call a friend you want to seduce. Brush your teeth and wash your face again.

Fry up 1 lb of Italian sausage, without casing. Crumble the hell out of it.

Drink some red wine. Are they here yet?

When the sausage is browned throw in the garlic and stir for one minute, then add the tomatoes (juice from the can is fine, if you chopped them yourself you are a better person than I am, but add 1/4 cup of water to help deglaze)

Offer your guest a glass of wine. Tell them they look nice, and wouldn't they be more comfortable taking off their shoes?

When the tomatoes and sausage are happily simmering pour in 1/2 cup of red wine. Stir. Continue to simmer, you want those tomatoes to cook. Probably 15 minuted or so. Put the water for the pasta on. Add salt. It doesn't make the water boil faster, but it makes the food taste better.

Sit down with your friend and offer them more wine. That coat is beautiful, right? But they wouldn't want it to get stained. Red wine. Hang it on a hanger, don't throw it on the back of a chair. Tell them again how nice they look, and sit closer this time. Put your arm around them, look them in the eyes and encourage them to talk about themselves. Don't talk about your job, tonight is about them.

Water is boiling, add the pasta. Check the sauce. How is the reduction going? Too thin, raise the heat. Too thick add some more wine. It should be close (fish out a tomato bit on a spoon and ask your guest to try it. It shouldn't be too firm. Mushy but still a tomato bit is good, the sausage adds texture. Watch them chew. Smile.

OK, veggies and bread (garlic bread is good, but tonight is about love) are good. I know you remembered dessert. You can eat that with coffee later.

Drain the pasta, pour it into a bowl. Pour the sauce over the top. I know, sounds crazy but it lets your guest got as much or as little sauce/pasta as they want. Their happiness is what's important. Sprinkle the feta cheese and chopped fresh bssil on top.

Your glass is empty. Fill it up, and invite them to the table.

You know what to do from here.