The surprise bug has bitten me, and I’m sharing the mood! What’s your take on surprises?
Love them? Long for them? Spoil yourself with a good one occasionally? I hope so.
Hate them? Despise the idea of one headed your way? Cringe at the thought of the lurking unknown? Gee… give them another chance? They can be good fun.
To me – surprises are so darn exciting! I squeal in anticipation for a really good one. Yes – I squeal. I love being surprised. Food to flowers – an unexpected treat is delightful.
Tonights dinner was just that: delightful, and totally unexpected. I’m also sitting pretty with a vase of dazzling sunflowers on my desk. No, no guy – yet.
I spoiled myself. You should do this too. You’re wonderful and gorgeous and deserve something pretty. You are. I am too. We really really totally are.
It’s important to be good to yourself. I forget that sometimes. Then I buy flowers and make myself pasta and remind myself to be kind. Always.
What do you indulge in?
Brownies? Good wine? Handbags? (I’m guilty on all three accounts)
Tell me!! I like to know you’re treating yourself well.
For this pasta, you very well may have most of the ingredients hanging around. I love fusilli – dainty swirls of pasta glory – but you’re welcome to use another type of noodle if you have it on hand: penne, rigatoni, and bow tie would all work magnificently. In flavor town: capers and olives are easy friends; their salty round bodies add texture and tang. Canned Tuna is a convenient and cheap way to add protein to your dinner. Lemon and parsley beam crisp flavor and freshness. The sun dried tomatoes pop with their gorgeous color and taste. Total flavor popping pasta here people!
This was the perfect pantry pasta, and with a glass of cold white wine and a seat outside – my night ended perfectly.
Now – before I get out of here and polish off this pasta; I have surprises to give away. Two readers will receive a surprise package of some of my favorite things that I think you will totally love and use in your kitchen. A surprise package ; what could be more exciting?!
Just leave a comment below telling me about you’re best or worst surprise you’ve given/ received. Contest closes Friday, September 2nd at 12 noon EST. Good luck love bugs!
Fusilli with Tuna, Olives, Capers, Sun Dried Tomatoes and Lemon – adapted from epicurious.com
Ingredients:
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2 can (6 ounces) tuna (chunk or solid in olive oil), drained
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1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
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grated zest of 1 medium lemon
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2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
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1/4 cup fruity olive oil
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1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
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freshly ground black pepper
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2 tablespoons capers, drained
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1 cup kalamata olives, roughly chopped
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1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
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1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
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freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Juliana says
This pasta looks delicious and so colorful…I love the ingredients in it and the lemon zest…so yummie!
Hope you have a great Labor Day weekend 🙂
bakerbynature says
Thank you, Juliana; I hope your weekend is lovely as well!
Caroline says
Oh my gosh, yum! This pasta looks so delicious. Sun-dried tomatoes and capers are such a fantastic combo. I definitely indulge in some good red wine…often. 😉
bakerbynature says
Mmmm, red wine is one of my favorite ways to unwind, or wind up – either way. This pasta is now in the weekly loop, and that is rare!
what katie's baking says
i love surprises, too!! i just hate when they get ruined! 🙁 it makes me so mad
my best one was this summer. it was my boyfriends 21st birthday and we went to his hometown for it. i got ahold of all of his friends beforehand and got them together for a surprise party. he was so excited/shocked because i’m not friends with his friends.
it made me feel so good 🙂
bakerbynature says
Oh, Katie – ruined surprises are the worst. That is such a cute surprise for your boyfriend : clever and sweet! I’m sure he was more than thrilled with your efforts.
Katie @ girl gone north says
Oh man – this post had my mouth watering the entire time I was trying to concentrate on surprises! I love surprises when I don’t know they’re coming; the kind that are totally unexpected.
bakerbynature says
I always have a hard time concentrating when there is delicious food in front of me too! It was totally tasty, and easily adaptable to play around with.
Cheryl Barker says
One of the best surprises I’ve ever received is when our daughter and son-in-law, who live 5 1/2 hrs from us, surprised us by traveling to a theme park they knew we were visiting and came walking up to greet us right as we came out of the candy shop. So much fun to have them join us for the weekend!
bakerbynature says
Cheryl – what a beautiful surprise; family is one of the best gifts we have! I love theme parks; when I lived in Pennsylvania I would go a few times a Summer to the closet one and ride the roller coasters till I was green in the face.
Carlee says
This looks sooo delicious! Definitely going to have to make it asap! yummmm
bakerbynature says
Thanks Carlee! I hope you do, and enjoy every bite as much as I did!
Charles says
I love giving people surprises but I’m completely incapable of keeping secrets. Two notable occasions are when I booked a “secret” trip for my wife and I to Stockholm – really nice hotel, day in a spa for my wife, all the nice stuff, and then I was so excited about it I ended up telling her the very next day. Did the same thing for a surprise trip I’d planned for my parents :p
Charles says
Ah, hit send before I could comment on the pasta dish – so great.Capers, tuna, olives and sun-dried tomatoes are so great. Too bad my wife hates sun-dried tomatoes so I don’t eat them as often as I’d like but this dish just looks fabulous… all of my favourite things! 🙂
bakerbynature says
Charles – you’re adorable!! Just nix the sun dried for the wife, and mix them in your dish after serving – problem solved 🙂
Your surprises sound amazing! I’m sure your wife didn’t mind too much; it can be hard to keep a really good secret!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
i once threw a surprise party for my husband’s 30th bday. all of his friends flew out from the east coast when we first moved to LA. he was very shocked!
bakerbynature says
Lynn – you’re like the best wife ever!!! Your hubby must have been thrilled, and beaming with happiness!!
Becca @ Cook, Rejoice, Repeat says
Mmm, this does look yummy! The best surprise I can remember right now was Picture Day my sophomore year of high school. I’d been working so much on homework and Student Association activities that I totally forgot about school pictures, so I showed up dressed like a slob. I was standing at the end of the line in tears (yes, I was that girl in high school …) when suddenly my teacher nudged me and pointed to the road. My mom and college-aged sister were driving up, flags blazing. My sister had grabbed one of her nice tops and some makeup and was ready for battle. Needless to say, the day went a lot better after that.
bakerbynature says
Becca – you’re family obviously rocks. Aw, I was “that” girl too; I still find myself in tricky situations on a daily basis that can have the waterworks in motion. I’m glad to hear the picture didn’t have to be hidden from the world to see, amazing what a cute top and makeup can do for you.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I want this pasta right now! The good news…I have all these ingredients on hand. The bad news…I guess I have to wait until tomorrow night now? haha
Best surprise? hmmm….this is going to sound cliche but my engagement. I was totally, completely NOT expecting it!
bakerbynature says
Gina – I always love reading your comments 🙂 An engagement is probably one of the most special surprises that exists! Totally not cliche! Let me know if you make the pasta; I can say now that it tastes equally amazing cold – hello, pasta salad.