Garlic Pear Pasta

This recipe is just too good not to share. I've adapted a recipe from MaryJane Butters, adding my own little twists to it.

Isn't that blackboard cute?? 50 cents at a yardsale. I've always wanted a little blackboard to post notes, dinner of the day, etc. It's about 20" x 24". I love it!

With a few simple ingredients, you can have dinner on the table in about 10 minutes. You'll need:

• Angel hair pasta
• 3-4 ripe pears
• a pinch of red pepper flakes
• handful of fresh parsley (you can used dried too)
• 3-4 cloves of garlic
• olive oil
• salt & pepper to taste
• handful of walnuts

Ok, there are no measurements to this recipe, cause I sorta made it up. This is what I did:

• Cook angel hair pasta according to package directions. Drain and liberally coat with olive oil.
• Toast the walnuts in a hot skillet (do not add oil) Remove them from the skillet when you can start to smell them....about five minutes. Stir them around often.
• In that same skillet, add about 1/4 cup of olive oil (this is what I did for four servings)

• Chop up your garlic (I did not mince mine) and with the heat on very low, add the garlic, keeping a close watch on it. You do not want to over brown the garlic, it will make it very bitter.
• Allowing about one pear per person, core the pears, but do not peel. Slice them about 1/4" thick, and put in the pan with the oil and garlic. Add your red pepper flakes, about 1/8 of a teaspoon, depending on your taste.
• Slowly saute this, just until the pears are fork tender, you don't want them mushy.
• Place noodles on dish, and top with a generous portion of pear/garlic mixture. Garnish with nuts and parsley. Salt and pepper to taste.

Our after dinner entertainment consisted of trying to dress a chicken. My friends, don't attempt this at home. I'm a trained professional. Scooter tried to cooperate. Due to lighting issues and low shutter speeds, this is the best we could get. She promptly fell asleep after this. I think I've traumatized her.