recipe: creamy corn-and-arugula pasta

When Tony and I were in Ohio earlier this month, we spent a night catching up with our friends Adrian and Gretchen. Tony and Adrian worked together at the beginnings of their careers, and sometimes it's hard to stay in touch with friends when you live so far away from each other. But I'm so happy we all connected again, albeit only for 24 hours.

Gretchen spent a lot of years as a vegetarian, and she has a pile of vegetarian cookbooks in her kitchen. For dinner, she picked out a recipe for a creamy pasta, and even the meat eaters were raving. It was rich and delicious, and it's also quick to put together, which would make it a great dinner to make on weekdays.

Gretchen's Creamy Corn-and-Arugula Pasta

Via Real Simple

• 3/4 box of fettuccine
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 leeks (white and light green parts only), cut into thin half-moons
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups arugula
• 1/4 cup grated pecorino

Cook the pasta according to the package directions.

Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet. Add leeks, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook 3 to 4 minutes until tender.

Add corn and wine. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes.

Stir in cream.

Add the pasta, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toss to combine. Fold in arugula. Sprinkle the pecorino on top before serving.

(P.S. Here's a really informative video from Gourmet on cutting leeks.)

<3

Not only was the food wonderful, but we ate in Adrian and Gretchen's formal dining room, which is so beautiful. If someone were to say to me, "Jessi, what does your dream dining room look like?" I would probably respond with a photo of Adrian and Gretchen's dining room.

I love every single thing in this photo, starting with that table and the crystal chandelier. Also the hardwoods, the natural wood molding, the built-in display cabinet. The blue cabinet, the antique frame. The romantic floral wallpaper. And you can't even see the gorgeous old buffet against the wall, the original 1920 light switch, the original doorbell. Love it all.