Valentine's Day Pasta Recipe

Stove? Check.

Sous chef? Check.
Mise en place? Check.
Tasty Valentine's Day dinner, eaten alone while my husband was at a conference two states away and the kid peed on the kitchen floor? Check.

Here's the recipe for the pasta, which was honestly the best thing I've eaten in the past 40 days.

Cook, according to package directions:

• 1/2 box of bowtie pasta

Meanwhile, saute over medium-high heat:

• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

When the onion is starting to turn translucent, add:

• 1/2 small box of baby portobello mushrooms, sliced

Let them cook for a few minutes, and when they start to give up some liquid, add:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3/4 teaspoon oregano
• 3/4 teaspoon thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• salt to taste (1/2 teaspoon-ish)

Cook until the butter is melted, then add:

• 1/2 bunch of asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces

Cook until the asparagus is nearly done, then add:

• the juice from 1/2 of a lemon
• two handfuls of spinach leaves (whole)

Cook until the spinach is wilted. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with:

• two golf-ball-sized tomatoes, diced
• two golf-ball-sized globes of fresh mozzarella, quartered

Serve over pasta.