Life’s Questions and Roasted Garlic Spaghetti

Are you a fan of history? I am – the past fascinates me. Not just the events themselves, but the human element behind it. The whys and hows and eventual outcome. Every deed, no matter how seemingly unimportant at the time, are like a pebble tossed onto the waters. The ripples span out in ways we might not yet fully understand.

Had Robert Kennedy not exited through the kitchen hallway of the Ambassador Hotel after his victory in the California primary, he might have gone on to win the White House. What would the world look like had Richard Nixon not become President? Where would we be in terms of Civil Rights? Or the Vietnam war?

What if Abraham Lincoln had decided not to attend a play at Ford’s Theater? Better yet, what if the attempt on Lincoln’s Secretary of State, William Henry Seward also succeeded? After all, Seward retained his seat with the Johnson administration, and when on to purchase Alaska from Russia in 1867.

What if a young Adolph Hitler had been accepted to Vienna’s Academy of Fine Arts? Would the holocaust have happened? What did we lose with those who perished in the Nazi Death Camps? What if Germany had developed the atomic bomb first? What if the Revolutionary War had never happened? What if you or I had never been born? What would be the impact 100 years from now? It makes my head spin.

I have to believe that we are all connected. Things happen for a reason. And there is a plan.

On this Date in History
1916 – Manfred von Richthofen, better known as the Red Baron of German, won his first aerial combat new Cambria, France. His 19-month rein in the skies during World War I ended the lives of 80 Allied pilots. His exploits were once again made famous with the 1966 release of a catchy little tune by the Royal Guardsmen, Snoopy vs. the Red Baron.

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1964 – While touring America, the Beatles made an unscheduled performance in Kansas City. Charles Finley, owner of the then major league baseball team, The Kansas City Athletics, wanted the group to perform at his Municipal Stadium. Finley offered $50.000 for the performance, but was turned down. He doubled his bid, but was again rejected. When Finley offered $150,000 Beatle’s manager Brian Epstein accepted. It was the only performance of their 1964 American tour that failed to sell out.

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1972 – The hit big-screen Anti-war movie, MAS*H made its TV debut as a series on CBS staring Alan Alda, Loretta Swit, Wayne Rogers and McLean Stevenson. It lasted for 11 seasons, ending with 2-1/2 hour final episode, “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen”. Its final episode with the collaborations of 8 writers including series star Alan Alda, who also directed. An estimated 121.6 million worldwide tuned in to wish the 4077 well.

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Today is Friday. You know me, and my old-school Catholic traditions. Friday means coming up with something meatless for supper. When I was a girl, I can remember Mom serving spaghetti with tomato sauce and a few shakes of Parmesan Cheese from that green can. Boring. But then we were kids, what did we know about flavor? Today I know better.

Roasted Garlic Spaghetti
Roasted Garlic
1 head Garlic
2 teaspoons Olive Oil

Heat oven to 350-degrees. Carefully peel paper-like skin from around bulb of garlic, leaving just enough to hold garlic cloves together. Cut about a 1/4-inch or so from top of bulb to expose cloves. Place cut side up on 12-inch square of foil. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons of the oil; wrap securely. Place in pie plate or shallow baking dish.

Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until garlic is tender when pierced with a fork. Cool 5 minutes. Gently squeeze garlic out of cloves onto cutting board; finely chop. Set aside.

Note: Roasted garlic can be made in advance, refrigerate until ready to use.

Spaghetti
8 oz uncooked Spaghetti
Fresh Basil for garnish
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese, divided
Salt to taste
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes to taste

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta al-dente, about 10 minutes.

While the pasta cooks, finely chop the basil and set aside.

Once pasta has cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain well, and return spaghetti to the pot. Toss pasta with roasted garlic, olive oil, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, the salt, red pepper flakes and basil. Moisten with pasta water if too dry.

Transfer pasta to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.