What Does Spaghetti Bring to Mind?

When I was a girl, I thought big plate of Spaghetti was the most romantic thing ever. What else was I to think? My generation grew up with Walt Disney. One could argue that Disney was different way back when, but the reality is that Disney continues to be exactly what it always was – a mirror.

That’s a subject for another day. Today we’re talking Spaghetti – or more to the point, the Lady and the Tramp’s infamous Spaghetti scene. It’s hard to imagine that the scene almost didn’t make it into the animation. Walt himself questioned the impact a smooch scene between two cartoon dogs might have on the clean-cut image of his studio. For some that idea seems silly today. But it 1955 it could have caused a big uproar. It didn’t. No one took offense over the idea of a Lady kissing a Tramp because they were brought together by a strand of spaghetti. And over the years girls like me dreamed of kissing my prince over a bowl of spaghetti.

This same scene also gave a hint as to what it meant to love someone. In the beginning, there are plenty of meatballs on that plate of spaghetti. When only one meatball remained, the Tramp sacrificed his desires for her. In that moment the film was a mirror of society, or what society needed to be – putting others above ourselves.

Every morning my father got up before my mother and made a pot of coffee. He poured the first cup and brought it to her. As a child, I thought my soulmate would do the same. Hubby doesn’t drink coffee. He hasn’t a clue how to make coffee. But when we newly weds out on adventures, often he went to the hotel lobby and brought back a cup of coffee so I could start the day. These days hotel rooms have coffee pots in them, so a trip to the lobby isn’t always necessary.

Love and romance isn’t about the bling. It’s about the simple things. Splitting that last piece of toast on the tray. It’s about opening up to one another in your hopes and dreams. And yes, it’s about sharing a plate of pasta.

---

Sassy Saucy No-Meat Spaghetti Supper
12 oz Spaghetti Pasta
Salt to taste
1 (24 oz) jar Red Pasta Sauce
1/5 cup Red Wine or as needed
1 (16 oz) can Diced Tomatoes
Red Pepper Flakes to taste
Basil for garnish
1 cup Italian Cheese Blend

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti pasta al-denta, about 11 minutes. Drain pasta well, transfer to a large warm serving platter.

While the water comes to a boil and the pasta cooks,. Empty the pasta sauce in a pan. Add wine to the empty jar, give it a swirl to gather up any remaining sauce, pour into the pot. Stir in the diced tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Gently warm the sauce.

As the sauce warms, stack basil leaves and chiffonade for a finishing garnish. Set aside.

Pour the sauce over the pasta, pulling pasta strands through the sauce to coat well. Garnish with basil. Serve with Italian Cheese on the side to use as desired.

Delicious with warm Garlic Bread, Garlic Texas Toast or Soft Breadsticks and a simple salad.

---

God has called you through the Gospel
To possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.