too much of a good thing

Marcella Hazan’s simple but rich tomato sauce is one of the most blogged about recipes on the Web. You need only a can of tomatoes, about half a stick of butter, and half an onion. Add a little salt and cook everything in a pot, first over medium heat to get it going, then at a low simmer for under an hour. (Leave the onion intact, as it’s only there for flavor and meant to be discarded at the end).

I made this recently with a small can of tomatoes (15 oz.) and what butter I had leftover—probably 4 tablespoons, and it was tremendously satisfying, turning a dry goods staple—year-old spaghetti noodles—into something of a velvety treat, while remaining on all fronts a model of economy. You need only a dollop of sauce to dress your noodles, and in terms of effort, you barely have to move for this one.

So then I wanted more. I got a bigger can of tomatoes (28 oz.), and misremembering the original directive of 5 tablespoons of butter per large can of tomatoes, dumped in a whole stick, thinking I was doubling the proportions of my previous success. More or less, I was, but I overlooked the fact that I would be eating a lot more of it, and repetitively, for more than a day. It was buttery and luscious and all too much. I longed for salmon and greens and nutty brown rice, all things I usually don’t long for.

The lesson here, I believe, is that if you’re going to eat something amazingly rich, either eat a reasonably small portion to enjoy the taste without feeling guilty, or eat quite a bit of it, so much so that you become sick of it and actually want its antithesis—in this case, lean protein, and yes, even exercise. The latter is in theory, of course. But I did have grilled salmon the next night, and it was good.

Comments

[swirlingnotions]

I had an "issue" with Ben & Jerry's chocolate peanut butter cookie dough flavor when I first moved out on my own (I think they've since discontinued it, thank GOD!). I'd totter out to the 24-7 deli across the street from my apartment at any time of day or night, buy a pint, and just down the sucker. Which is really not like me. So I shared my distress with my mom and she recommended I do exactly what you suggested--eat pint after pint until I can't face another one. And you know . . . it actually worked. Although I am glad it's not around now to tempt me anew ;-).

Great blog!

[Julie]

You know, it sounds gluttonous and extreme, but it does work! I haven't wanted this dish at all...although that's too bad really, as it could easily be a standby in a world where I eat small portions. --My Ben and Jerry's favorite is something called Turtle Soup. It's so easy to develop a "habit" when there are 24- hour delis steps away.

[mothership]

ooooh swirling... TRIED that w/ my daughter when we caught her smoking at age 15... daddy took her out to the back & had her smoke til she hurled... (took only 4 cigarettes....)... UNfortunately... it only worked for a week!!! she is STILL smoking today... now 23... grrrrr....
btw.. love this blog....