Hello, young Padawan
In these particularly gloomy times, where the divide and rule dogma has never been so relevant; in these times when the rainy and stormy weather reflects well the mental health of our countries and its inhabitants, I said to myself that it would be opportune to develop together a family, friendly and unifying recipe, which, as its name suggests, will be appreciated by all.
We, French, know that eating around a table brings people together. We always talk there, we often argue; sometimes, we find common sense at dessert when everything opposed us at the appetizers, and we even sign peace treaties, realizing between the main course and the cheese that the enemy was, as often, not at our table.
Life is a chess game; some are three or four moves ahead, while others are still wondering how the bishop is moving. So, diagonally lost in this pepper and salt atmosphere, let’s take some physical and mental strength in the kitchen to see clearly in this game of fools, with a nice, speedy, simple, and terribly delicious recipe.
But just before the recipe, a little food for thought …
Charlie Chaplin’s most beautiful work (or at least the most apropos).
If your mood is low, if you feel perplexed in this complicated atmosphere, or if you are not feeling on top of your sanity in this sick society, I invite you to watch this short video, which is the final sequence of a film by the great Charlie Chaplin – I’ll let you find out which one.
For those who don’t have three minutes and thirty-six seconds to watch it, here is a short excerpt from it, which is a piece of the final speech of the main character of the movie:
“We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical. Our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery we need humanity. More than cleverness we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost…
The aeroplane and the radio have brought us closer together. The very nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in men – cries out for universal brotherhood – for the unity of us all.
[…]
To those who can hear me, I say – do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed – the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish…
Soldiers! don’t give yourselves to brutes – men who despise you – enslave you – who regiment your lives – tell you what to do – what to think and what to feel! Who drill you – diet you – treat you like cattle, use you as cannon fodder. Don’t give yourselves to these unnatural men – machine men with machine minds and machine hearts! You are not machines! You are not cattle! You are men! You have the love of humanity in your hearts! You don’t hate! Only the unloved hate – the unloved and the unnatural! Soldiers! Don’t fight for slavery! Fight for liberty!”
A word to the wise, and now it’s time for the recipe.
The moral-boost recipe
For two servings
About 5 oz of half-wholemeal spaghetti (or more, or less – depending on your appetite …)
A large punnet of ripe cherry tomatoes (the equivalent of 3 normal tomatoes)
A small jar of tomato-basil sauce of about 7 oz – your favorite one will do.
A drizzle of your best olive oil
A bunch of fresh basil
Salt, Madagascar pepper
Optional: Parmesan shavings.
RECIPE
Throw the pasta in a large pan of salted boiling water (without burning yourself, dear Padawan) and cook for the time indicated on the package over medium heat – while checking the end of cooking so that they remain “al dente”. Drain the pasta, put it back in the pan, add the jar of sauce, stir, cover to keep it warm, and set aside.
While the spaghetti is cooking, cut the cherry tomatoes in half, and harvest as many basil leaves as you want.
PRESENTATION
In your nicest deep plate, pour the tomato spaghetti with love, glory, and dexterity. Add a little olive oil, the cherry tomatoes, the basil leaves, optionally the parmesan shavings, salt, and pepper, and serve immediately.
This cute recipe is absolutely quick and easy, but the cooked/raw combination of tomatoes and basil is always a hit. And be careful; gourmets may ask for more, lol.
XO 🌿
