Buttered Noodles

There's something so soothing about buttered noodles. The slick texture giving way to tender pasta yielding against my tongue. The buttery sweetness balanced by slightly gritty, salty cheese. A sprinkling of fresh ground pepper to spice things up. Buttered noodles are often served as a side dish although for a solitary meal they can be pure indulgence. On my rare evenings alone I love a simple dish of pasta. If I'm feeling ambitious I'll dice an onion and melt it with some anchovies, add a few handfuls of al dente capellini and some grated piave vecchio. It's a meal fit for a queen and one that I'm prone to share with a glass of good red wine and my own company. Pictured here is something a bit more social. Potato chip noodles with sweet butter, grated parmigiano, tomato concasse, and king crab meat. This was accompanied by fresh ideas and good company.  Whether fancy or plain, buttered noodles facilitate meditation because they make people feel safe and well taken care of. They're quick, easy, and still incredibly indulgent.