Linguine with Clam Sauce - Pantry Version

I credit my brother-in-law Michael for this dish. For the longest time I found clams that weren't battered and deep fried New England-style to be completely repulsive. Yet often when we'd get together for an impromptu meal, he'd make Linguine Con Vongole--or Con Von as he, and soon we all, affectionately called it. 

My husband loved this dish and I hated it. But you know what they say about acquired tastes and after a few tries my persistence paid off. Now I curse myself that I didn't enjoy this saucy, garlicky, comfort-y meal more often when I was younger and my metabolism was a little less sloth-like than it is today.

Meatloaf with Brown Sugar-Ketchup Glaze - Cook's Illustrated

After a long absence during which my heart was broken by my Boston Celtics and stomped upon by the hateful Los Angeles Flakers, I am back to blogging. What better theme than comfort food, I say.

Maybe it's the fact that San Diego went through an unusually cool spring following an unusually cold winter, and things are still not looking up 2 days into summer...but lately all I've wanted was simple, unpretentious, healthy and FAST meals for me and my family.