"THESE ARE MY SALAD DAYS...

...slowly being eaten away." No intention of pun can be invoked, but I prefer to write food is a food, good food is good food, no matter what. Watercress (leaf to tail chopped), mix greens, tomatoes and green apples - with lemon vinaigrette, slightly sweetened, and herbs de provence. No bread, just leaves and fruits - two heaping plates and too much champagne (it's a full moon night in the city and the blue river is beckoning "flute"). I balanced the tart profiles of my food with an un-pictured pasta dish, the classic oil and garlic. I had been cooking easy lately, developing from inspiration by other home chefs (like the British Rachel Khoo and another chef, American, whose name I forget, but the article and his technique I read in the NYTimes) a one-pot all-I-need cookware to make my food - even the pasta. In a boiler pot I quickly sizzled tons of garlic in butter and olive oil and fresh cracked pepper and some salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes - key is quickly not to brown or burn them; the garlic must be moist to release its full potential savor - then immediately add hot water (half volume as you would ordinarily; will explain later) in the pot, then turn heat to high to boil fast and add the spaghetti noodles, making sure the pasta is softened by pressing them down gently in the steaming hot liquid and dunking them all under the water to cook al dente - cover for about 5-8mins. Take lid out and check firmness of the pasta, and remember: the liquid SHOULD BE ABSORBED together with the flavors from the oil-butter-garlic-spices and NO NEED to discard excess water - all the goodness had fattened the pasta! Add shredded pecorino or asiago as you wish, and more black pepper, a little more salt to taste, a little more red pepper flakes for more kick and heat. The counterintuitive salad by its side will complement your satisfaction in eating and spending the night alone under the blue moonlight and you will forget momentarily that growing old isn't as bad as this salad is giving you the benefit of the doubt. Hear, hear!