redemption in the kitchen

i'm hoping this has happened to others.  the scenario: you strive to eat healthy, buy a ton of groceries, cook more/eat out less.  what ends up happening is you try out a bunch of "healthy recipes" they are gross, you don't want to eat the leftovers, you've spent $$$ in groceries and it all goes to waste.

this sums up my past week.  4 flops in a row - and i will blame most of it on the crockpot (just because i can).  why i thought the crockpot was the answer to all my questions is still a mystery to me.  my mother never used one?  and i'm definitely not a busy mother of 3 trying to squeeze in any kind of meal? when you think about it, throwing a bunch of stuff into a pot and then returning to a soggy mess (braised meats aside - you cant beat pulled pork simmering all day) nothing could be less appetizing.  i love texture in food.

so i digress....last night i'd had it. i had to pull out all the stops and make something i knew would be delicious and somewhat healthy.

papardelle with spiced butter delivered. triumph at last!