real simple spaghetti

I am trying hard, oh so very hard, to be at least a tiny bit domesticated (read: prepare dinners that don't come from a package at least half the nights of a week). You see, I can cook, I really can. I just don't like to cook. I want to like it. Just like I want to like to sew and knit and jog and just wake up on my own at six o'clock every morning. But the passion, I'm sorry to say, is just. Not. There.

Case in point: A few years ago I subscribed to Real Simple magazine. If you've never encountered it, its premise is simplifying life while still staying on the cutting, even fashionable edge. It's about dressing stylishly-yet-simply. Making cleaning and other household chores a breeze. Creating tantalizing dishes in only three simple steps. So I'd look at these easy recipes, get past Step 2 and declare, "oh, no, that's just TOO complicated." Okay, so I'm a git.

But there was one that was too scrummy looking AND easy to pass by, and it's now a staple of my cooking repertoire. Easy it is, and impressive, too.

Real Simple Summer Spaghetti Sauce

6 tomatoes, chopped
4 oz crumbled goats cheese
1 seeded and chopped jalapeno
1/2 cup chopped basil
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Combine ingredients in a large saucepan and toss over medium heat just until heated through. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper and pour over spaghetti. Top with parmesan. Consume.

Makes 6 servings

It's so lovely the way it is, but I've started adding sliced mushrooms, spinach or other ingredients to change it up a bit now and then. So go to town with it. And if you try it, let me know what you think.

P.S. Apparently I'm a lazy blogger, too, because I was inspired to write this after reading Kirsten's blog today. I mention it because if this doesn't strike your fancy, perhaps her recipe will.