Easy-breezy | 20something cupcakes

It’s totally not weird to get excited about, say, the most ridiculous salted caramel buttercream … or THE perfect shade of tangerine lipstick you’ve been looking for everywhere.

Arugula-Creme Fraiche Pasta

But what happens when you get excited about a meal that’s super-simple … something easy enough for a weeknight, even? Well, then you know you’re onto something.

I’d been eyeing this easy idea in my favorite cookbook {pretty sure I should start getting paid for these mentions} for a while. The idea seemed so simple, it was like – whaaaa?

Crème fraîche = pasta sauce. That just about sums it up.

Add a little lemon and seasoning, and crème fraîche becomes a perfect vehicle for pasta. Now, toss that with a few handfuls of fresh arugula and grated Parmesan and you’ve got a gorgeous and satisfying meal.

You could very easily stop right there, as the original recipe suggested, or you could pop in a few more additions and make it just a litttttle bit better. In my crazy-brain, the arugula, lemon, and Parmesan were speaking to me … asking – no, begging – to be transformed into a riff on a deconstructed arugula pesto. Who am I to argue with such an idea?! Enter in the garlic, pine nuts, and basil – and you’re there. Simple as that.

Here’s one thing I know: It’s almost August already, and I still have a lot of summer meals I want to make. I love summer because it’s a time where meals should be simple, fun, and easy. Nothing complicated or over-thought. And I always find summer comes and goes too soon. For instance, I’ve got a lot of other menus and recipes to post here. Full of tomatoes, and sangria, and pulled pork – things you need to see before summer is over.

Let’s start with putting this summer meal into a menu. I’m sure it wouldn’t have been hard for you to figure it out on your own, but I just love putting it together for you anyway.

Easy-Breezy Summer Shrimp Boil Menu

{to drink: mango margaritas with chili salt}

{to start: green salad with avocado-basil dressing}

{the main event: beer shrimp boil}

{on the side: lemony artichokes au gratin}

{finish it off: blackberry pie bars - or for something lighter, homemade strawberry sorbet made from pureéd frozen strawberries and a squeeze of lime}