Pasta for dinner

[Anonymous]

she is Eyetalian, it is ingrained in her blood to boil pasta and dump a jar of fresh Costco tomato sauce on it as a Chef's kiss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Husband and I are both Italian. His parents “are off the boat”. My grandparents were too and my parents were born in this country.

We have always had pasta for lunch or dinner.

I was with my kids (girl age 6 and boy 4) and a friend and her kids at a park. I invited them back to our house for lunch.

I made pasta-penne with butter for the kids and vodka sauce for myself and my friend.

She looked at it and said “is this lunch? A bowl of pasta?”

I said yes this is what we usually have. She looked at me oddly and didn’t say anything else and ate.

But what a weird response.

Did the mom or the kid say that? Either way I would not consider plain buttered noodles an appropriate lunch for a kid. Why wouldn't you throw some tomato sauce and cheese on there at least? I'm not afraid of carbs and I serve pasta all the time but not just plain buttered pasta.

My kid loves buttered pasta. That's why. I'm not even OP.

Mine do too but there’s zero nutrition in that. I want healthy kids.

You don’t know what “nutrition” means.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The friend is probably a spoonful of plain yogurt and 3 almonds kind of lunch-eater. Pasta with vodka sauce sounds good to me. There will be fruits and vegetables at the other meals of the day.

No. This friend is a pasta with vodka sauce, side of roasted chicken, veggie and mozzarella salad - kind of gal. Simple, uncomplicated meal that normal people eat.

Who eats pasta? The peasants? Then call it what it is. Poor people's subsistence meal.

If someone casually whipped that up for me after a trip to the park, I would think they were a try-hard weirdo.

The most important part of having mom friends when your kids are little is finding people you can just be casual and relaxed around. People who don’t care if you let some things go, because it’s hard enough as it is.

I would think they were a foodie. Some people really care about eating good food. And some people really care about being good hosts. This saying hasn't aged well given the current events, but jewish people used to joke "we cook for the entire Israeli Army, regardless of how many are coming over." We would never dream of giving barely enough. We would give lots of choices and lots of each choice.

I care about eating good food and trying to be a good host, but this only works if your fridge and pantry are fully stocked 100% of the time. That’s completely unrealistic and sometimes being flexible and spontaneous is the best way to go.

Every real chef I’ve ever known would absolutely support impromptu buttered noodles in a pinch. The company and the human gesture of sharing are more important than what’s on the plate.

Disagree. I don’t think there has ever been an occasion where I have absolutely no other food in the house and have to resort to buttered noodles. It’s literally dumping a box of noodles in boiling water. Making a PB&J requires more effort than this. Besides, this wasn’t the case of OP not having food available due to the impromptu nature. She said that is their usual lunch. No, I would not serve this to someone. If I were there, I would have politely declined and just drank some coffee or tea instead. Just like I wouldn’t serve someone a bowl of plain rice or a buttered potato and call it lunch.

Really? You would "politely" decline to eat after you saw what was being served when you had already agreed to lunch? Even my children know to say thank you and take a small serving.

There are always going to be poor cooks, people who have limited funds or just don't care about eating healthily, but who are kind and friendly and might offer you an impromptu invitation. If you care more about the food than the social contact, you may want to first clarify what is going to be served before accepting the invitation. This will also give the inviter the opportunity to remember that they actually had a previous appointment and needed to reschedule to another time in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The friend is probably a spoonful of plain yogurt and 3 almonds kind of lunch-eater. Pasta with vodka sauce sounds good to me. There will be fruits and vegetables at the other meals of the day.

No. This friend is a pasta with vodka sauce, side of roasted chicken, veggie and mozzarella salad - kind of gal. Simple, uncomplicated meal that normal people eat.

Who eats pasta? The peasants? Then call it what it is. Poor people's subsistence meal.

If someone casually whipped that up for me after a trip to the park, I would think they were a try-hard weirdo.

The most important part of having mom friends when your kids are little is finding people you can just be casual and relaxed around. People who don’t care if you let some things go, because it’s hard enough as it is.

I would think they were a foodie. Some people really care about eating good food. And some people really care about being good hosts. This saying hasn't aged well given the current events, but jewish people used to joke "we cook for the entire Israeli Army, regardless of how many are coming over." We would never dream of giving barely enough. We would give lots of choices and lots of each choice.

I care about eating good food and trying to be a good host, but this only works if your fridge and pantry are fully stocked 100% of the time. That’s completely unrealistic and sometimes being flexible and spontaneous is the best way to go.

Every real chef I’ve ever known would absolutely support impromptu buttered noodles in a pinch. The company and the human gesture of sharing are more important than what’s on the plate.

Disagree. I don’t think there has ever been an occasion where I have absolutely no other food in the house and have to resort to buttered noodles. It’s literally dumping a box of noodles in boiling water. Making a PB&J requires more effort than this. Besides, this wasn’t the case of OP not having food available due to the impromptu nature. She said that is their usual lunch. No, I would not serve this to someone. If I were there, I would have politely declined and just drank some coffee or tea instead. Just like I wouldn’t serve someone a bowl of plain rice or a buttered potato and call it lunch.

Really? You would "politely" decline to eat after you saw what was being served when you had already agreed to lunch? Even my children know to say thank you and take a small serving.

There are always going to be poor cooks, people who have limited funds or just don't care about eating healthily, but who are kind and friendly and might offer you an impromptu invitation. If you care more about the food than the social contact, you may want to first clarify what is going to be served before accepting the invitation. This will also give the inviter the opportunity to remember that they actually had a previous appointment and needed to reschedule to another time in the future.

If someone declined and said they weren't hungry you need to leave it at that. It's not your business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's funny how some posters make generalizations on how Italians eat based on a sample size of the dozen they personally know. Different Italians eat different things and have different ideas of what a "proper" meal is.

OP, your guest was rude for saying out loud what everyone else would be thinking. Your being Italian has nothing to do with this, just buttered pasta is kind of a weird kids meal for most people. Next time this situation occurs cut up some apples and carrot sticks to make it look like a "proper" kids meal. Now, try to move on.

WTF are you even talking about? Have you ever set foot outside your house?

“Just buttered pasta” is on the kids’ menu at almost EVERY restaurant in the United States.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd toss some chicken in there. You're just feeding your kids carbs as a meal.

Everyone can manage one meal without protein. Ain't gonna either away and die.

With the amount of exercise I do I just found out I’m was tremendously under eating protein- like to the point of low immunoglobulins and illnesses. Most women in my circle exercise like I do. It’s protein or carbs to stay in the right calorie range. Most skinny but flabby Europeans don’t exercise like we do in the UMC+ circles because sports were as accessible when they were growing up.

Stop lying to yourself Janice you’re not an athlete

Actually I played in junior Olympics when I was growing up - what do you know from your sofa clicking in at 300lbs of cellulite

Big talk for someone who peaked in middle school. Maybe your parents should have fed you more protein so you could have participated in the real Olympics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a weird post. I learned a new term today though. "Almond Mom". I don't restrict what my kids eat but I am a firm believer against eating cereal as a meal. I couldn't even fathom being handed a bowl of pasta and expecting that to be a meal. You don't need to be an almond mom or dad to know that any processed carbs are not healthy and that lean protein is important. I also find it funny that people think that ethnicity makes their opinions better for some things...my great aunt came from Italy so I'm an expert of pasta dishes. Who cares? Noone cares where your relatives came from. Some relative of mine came from Germany...does that make me an expert on making sausage? It's so ridiculous. The best was the poster who claimed to be part of the junior Olympics growing up...like that makes her/his opinion any better than others.

Exactly! Even the moms in Gaza would turn away buttered pasta since it’s so horrifically unhealthy and lacking in nutrition!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every time I go to a restaurant and see buttered noodles on the kids menu , I’m going to think of this thread now. I’m not sure if my kids were ever served vegetables with it.

Generally at restaurants kids are served what you order for them. I am willing to bet that the restaurant had vegetables on the menu, but you did not choose them.

Right, because a side dish of vegetables is not necessary with a bowl of pasta. Pasta with butter is a dish that children tend to eat. You can go to a restaurant and order pasta with butter or vodka sauce and be served that for lunch, because that is a meal. They'll throw in some free bread probably, but won't serve you vegetables and protein automatically.

You really don't have to bend over backwards defending this meal. It's low effort empty calories, it's nothing special even if OP is Italian. Will they starve, no, was it good? No.

If you're invited back to someone's house improptu following a meetup in the park, expect low effort. I really don't know what some of you are looking for. Treat it as a snack and go home and get your protein and veggie fill.

I hope nobody actually believes that these ridiculous posters actually eat protein, vegetables and fruit for every meal.

+1 half of them drink one of those bottled "health" shakes or juices, or a single almond.

Aw, I love how proud the bad cooks with a poor diet are. We know how most Americans eat, the proof is in our overall health and decreasing life expectancy. But it's very on point to beat your chest about it.

Oh my god, no one is saying that's how they eat every meal. It's just that some posters on this thread aren't obsessed with maximizing the macros for every single meal. It must be exhausting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's funny how some posters make generalizations on how Italians eat based on a sample size of the dozen they personally know. Different Italians eat different things and have different ideas of what a "proper" meal is.

OP, your guest was rude for saying out loud what everyone else would be thinking. Your being Italian has nothing to do with this, just buttered pasta is kind of a weird kids meal for most people. Next time this situation occurs cut up some apples and carrot sticks to make it look like a "proper" kids meal. Now, try to move on.

WTF are you even talking about? Have you ever set foot outside your house?

“Just buttered pasta” is on the kids’ menu at almost EVERY restaurant in the United States.

I have seen this on menus and there is almost always a choice of a side to go with it. But I tell my kids to order something else because that is garbage and I'm not paying $9.95 for a $.35 meal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every time I go to a restaurant and see buttered noodles on the kids menu , I’m going to think of this thread now. I’m not sure if my kids were ever served vegetables with it.

Generally at restaurants kids are served what you order for them. I am willing to bet that the restaurant had vegetables on the menu, but you did not choose them.

Right, because a side dish of vegetables is not necessary with a bowl of pasta. Pasta with butter is a dish that children tend to eat. You can go to a restaurant and order pasta with butter or vodka sauce and be served that for lunch, because that is a meal. They'll throw in some free bread probably, but won't serve you vegetables and protein automatically.

You really don't have to bend over backwards defending this meal. It's low effort empty calories, it's nothing special even if OP is Italian. Will they starve, no, was it good? No.

If you're invited back to someone's house improptu following a meetup in the park, expect low effort. I really don't know what some of you are looking for. Treat it as a snack and go home and get your protein and veggie fill.

I hope nobody actually believes that these ridiculous posters actually eat protein, vegetables and fruit for every meal.

+1 half of them drink one of those bottled "health" shakes or juices, or a single almond.

Aw, I love how proud the bad cooks with a poor diet are. We know how most Americans eat, the proof is in our overall health and decreasing life expectancy. But it's very on point to beat your chest about it.

Oh my god, no one is saying that's how they eat every meal. It's just that some posters on this thread aren't obsessed with maximizing the macros for every single meal. It must be exhausting.

Can you read? OP said it's a normal at her house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The friend is probably a spoonful of plain yogurt and 3 almonds kind of lunch-eater. Pasta with vodka sauce sounds good to me. There will be fruits and vegetables at the other meals of the day.

No. This friend is a pasta with vodka sauce, side of roasted chicken, veggie and mozzarella salad - kind of gal. Simple, uncomplicated meal that normal people eat.

Who eats pasta? The peasants? Then call it what it is. Poor people's subsistence meal.

If someone casually whipped that up for me after a trip to the park, I would think they were a try-hard weirdo.

The most important part of having mom friends when your kids are little is finding people you can just be casual and relaxed around. People who don’t care if you let some things go, because it’s hard enough as it is.

I would think they were a foodie. Some people really care about eating good food. And some people really care about being good hosts. This saying hasn't aged well given the current events, but jewish people used to joke "we cook for the entire Israeli Army, regardless of how many are coming over." We would never dream of giving barely enough. We would give lots of choices and lots of each choice.

I care about eating good food and trying to be a good host, but this only works if your fridge and pantry are fully stocked 100% of the time. That’s completely unrealistic and sometimes being flexible and spontaneous is the best way to go.

Every real chef I’ve ever known would absolutely support impromptu buttered noodles in a pinch. The company and the human gesture of sharing are more important than what’s on the plate.

Disagree. I don’t think there has ever been an occasion where I have absolutely no other food in the house and have to resort to buttered noodles. It’s literally dumping a box of noodles in boiling water. Making a PB&J requires more effort than this. Besides, this wasn’t the case of OP not having food available due to the impromptu nature. She said that is their usual lunch. No, I would not serve this to someone. If I were there, I would have politely declined and just drank some coffee or tea instead. Just like I wouldn’t serve someone a bowl of plain rice or a buttered potato and call it lunch.

Enjoy having your perfect lunches with your imaginary friends

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The friend is probably a spoonful of plain yogurt and 3 almonds kind of lunch-eater. Pasta with vodka sauce sounds good to me. There will be fruits and vegetables at the other meals of the day.

No. This friend is a pasta with vodka sauce, side of roasted chicken, veggie and mozzarella salad - kind of gal. Simple, uncomplicated meal that normal people eat.

Who eats pasta? The peasants? Then call it what it is. Poor people's subsistence meal.

If someone casually whipped that up for me after a trip to the park, I would think they were a try-hard weirdo.

The most important part of having mom friends when your kids are little is finding people you can just be casual and relaxed around. People who don’t care if you let some things go, because it’s hard enough as it is.

I would think they were a foodie. Some people really care about eating good food. And some people really care about being good hosts. This saying hasn't aged well given the current events, but jewish people used to joke "we cook for the entire Israeli Army, regardless of how many are coming over." We would never dream of giving barely enough. We would give lots of choices and lots of each choice.

I care about eating good food and trying to be a good host, but this only works if your fridge and pantry are fully stocked 100% of the time. That’s completely unrealistic and sometimes being flexible and spontaneous is the best way to go.

Every real chef I’ve ever known would absolutely support impromptu buttered noodles in a pinch. The company and the human gesture of sharing are more important than what’s on the plate.

Disagree. I don’t think there has ever been an occasion where I have absolutely no other food in the house and have to resort to buttered noodles. It’s literally dumping a box of noodles in boiling water. Making a PB&J requires more effort than this. Besides, this wasn’t the case of OP not having food available due to the impromptu nature. She said that is their usual lunch. No, I would not serve this to someone. If I were there, I would have politely declined and just drank some coffee or tea instead. Just like I wouldn’t serve someone a bowl of plain rice or a buttered potato and call it lunch.

Enjoy having your perfect lunches with your imaginary friends

I have friends from my Pickleball meetup so back off Janice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's funny how some posters make generalizations on how Italians eat based on a sample size of the dozen they personally know. Different Italians eat different things and have different ideas of what a "proper" meal is.

OP, your guest was rude for saying out loud what everyone else would be thinking. Your being Italian has nothing to do with this, just buttered pasta is kind of a weird kids meal for most people. Next time this situation occurs cut up some apples and carrot sticks to make it look like a "proper" kids meal. Now, try to move on.

WTF are you even talking about? Have you ever set foot outside your house?

“Just buttered pasta” is on the kids’ menu at almost EVERY restaurant in the United States.

I have seen this on menus and there is almost always a choice of a side to go with it. But I tell my kids to order something else because that is garbage and I'm not paying $9.95 for a $.35 meal.

Oh right, OP should have offered the boiled from frozen broccoli side that no kid (or adult) in their right mind would eat. The side of broccoli hanging out on the plate after the meal would have made it healthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's funny how some posters make generalizations on how Italians eat based on a sample size of the dozen they personally know. Different Italians eat different things and have different ideas of what a "proper" meal is.

OP, your guest was rude for saying out loud what everyone else would be thinking. Your being Italian has nothing to do with this, just buttered pasta is kind of a weird kids meal for most people. Next time this situation occurs cut up some apples and carrot sticks to make it look like a "proper" kids meal. Now, try to move on.

WTF are you even talking about? Have you ever set foot outside your house?

“Just buttered pasta” is on the kids’ menu at almost EVERY restaurant in the United States.

I have seen this on menus and there is almost always a choice of a side to go with it. But I tell my kids to order something else because that is garbage and I'm not paying $9.95 for a $.35 meal.

Oh right, OP should have offered the boiled from frozen broccoli side that no kid (or adult) in their right mind would eat. The side of broccoli hanging out on the plate after the meal would have made it healthy.

Now you're getting the idea! Maybe you can think of one other thing to add to round it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's funny how some posters make generalizations on how Italians eat based on a sample size of the dozen they personally know. Different Italians eat different things and have different ideas of what a "proper" meal is.

OP, your guest was rude for saying out loud what everyone else would be thinking. Your being Italian has nothing to do with this, just buttered pasta is kind of a weird kids meal for most people. Next time this situation occurs cut up some apples and carrot sticks to make it look like a "proper" kids meal. Now, try to move on.

WTF are you even talking about? Have you ever set foot outside your house?

“Just buttered pasta” is on the kids’ menu at almost EVERY restaurant in the United States.

I have seen this on menus and there is almost always a choice of a side to go with it. But I tell my kids to order something else because that is garbage and I'm not paying $9.95 for a $.35 meal.

Oh right, OP should have offered the boiled from frozen broccoli side that no kid (or adult) in their right mind would eat. The side of broccoli hanging out on the plate after the meal would have made it healthy.

Now you're getting the idea! Maybe you can think of one other thing to add to round it out.

You’re right. Maybe we can add the out of season mushy/hard fruit salad for the kids to add to the compost along with broccoli after they devour their buttered noodles!