A Tribute {and a recipe}

Ever have a good friend? Like a REALLY good friend.  I can count the ones I have had in my life on one hand.  And I don't mind that.  I prefer it really.  I don't let a lot of people into my life, so the ones I do, I make sure are worth the time.

So I meet this person.  I work with this person to be exact.  We both are skeptical people...judge them from afar, then find out if it is really the way they are.  We did that for awhile.  Then we decided that we should give it a shot.  Her sense of humor was like mine, she was tall like me (VERY important, my bestie is not one that will make me feel like an lumberjack on a daily basis), military like me, Aquarius like me.  The list of similarities we would find out is endless.

We bond over wine and the gym and our annoyance for our boss.  We laugh forever at the mis-stylings and whacked out lives of others. We laugh because we know we are not that far off from being what we are laughing at.  We cook, we movie, we miss our husbands during deployments.  We are there for breakups, first meetings, weddings and births.

Then we have to say goodbye.

Darn the military and their goodbyes.  We knew it would happen one day, and then that day came.  It was hard, it was sad and I was heartbroken all weekend after she left.  Where would I ever find another perfect match?

Then I realize I don't have to.  She moved, she didn't die for goodness sake.  So I still have my friend, just from afar. And that is ok.

And now that friend has asked for a recipe.  So I shall oblige.  Last time this was made it was for a night in with her.  It was delish and so I will share.  It is a nice change from all the heavy winter-weather foods we have all been eating.  Maybe make it for a night in with your best friend.

SPINACH SUN-DRIED TOMATO PASTA TOSS

1 (16 oz) package ziti pasta
Dijon-Red Wine Vinaigrette (see below)
1/2 (5 oz) package fresh baby spinach
1 (8 oz) jar sun-dried tomato halves in oil, drained and chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water.
Toss pasta with Dijon-Red Wine Vinaigrette; add spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, tossing to combine. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper.

prepare Dijon-Red Wine Vinaigreet while the pasta cooks

DIJON-REDWINE VINAIGRETTE
6 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 small garlic clove, pressed
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt

Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl until blended.