Feed The Bereaved. They're Not Dead Yet.

Feed the bereaved. They're not dead yet.

This was not an unspoken rule in my community growing up; it was in fact spoken loudly and frequently.

Any time someone shared the news of a death in the family or even just a hospital visit, "don't forget to eat" would be found in the response.

At funerals, someone in the mourning family would always mention the casseroles, the chicken, the pastries waiting in their fridge. There would often be so much they'd ask funeralgoers to take some home for themselves.

This, of course, does not apply the same when family is far away, or when only one household is grieving. There is no overflowing fridge, no countertop full of grocery bags.

When it's my household in that situation, I make Grief Pasta Salad.

Large stock pot (10Qt or more)

Colander

Medium mixing bowl

Liquid measuring cup that will hold 2 cups

Pasta scoop

Fork

2 pounds rotini

3/4 cup finely diced ham (optional)

5 small tomatoes, diced

1 and a half large cucumbers, diced

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup either red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

2 teaspoons dried red pepper flakes

2 teaspoons dried basil

1 teaspoon dried onion

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons molasses

Pinch of salt

Black pepper to taste

Put the water on for pasta. Start preparing your tomato, cucumber, ham (if desired) and put them all in the mixing bowl. You might be able to get all that done before the water boils.

Cook the rotini to desired tenderness and drain.

If your chopping is done, mix the remaining ingredients together in your liquid measuring cup. You can adjust the seasonings as needed* and whisk them together with the fork if you don't want to have to wash a whisk later.

*Author's note: the paprika is non-negotiable.

Put all your solid ingredients into whichever receptacle has the most room. Most likely your stock pot. Pour your whisked vinaigrette over top and mix it through.

This is enough to feed two people for about a day or two. It tastes fine cold.

Eat. You're not dead yet.

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