This week has been pretty hectic for me. Mostly, I’ve felt like a hermit, holing myself in my room, trying to meet my Daily Trojan article deadline, scavenging interviewees who never deigned to answer, and in the meantime preparing for two mid-terms and one quiz. And oh, hell, I’ll admit it— I was also busy trying to finish my Netflix DVDs, and catch up with Lost and Heroes on Hulu. What? Girl’s gotta have her recreation.
Anyway, my point being…I was sort of losing my sanity. My eyes have been glued to my laptop for 16 hours each day. I’ve had limited human contact. I missed Sunday’s service because I overslept. I was getting increasingly cranky, bitter, and irritable. I was, frankly, turning into a monster.
Well, I’m back. And I’ve learned my lesson. Don’t shun human contact, no matter how many things you need to do. Socializing isn’t an option, it’s necessary in a person’s well-being. No wonder God created Eve for Adam, because humans need companionship. That, and also because males are pretty helpless and stupid without us fabulous females to complement them. 
This afternoon, I had my first real human contact in a whole week. My church friends came over for our weekly bible study at my apartment, and it was my turn to prepare lunch. And I decided to kill two birds with one stone by participating in this week’s BSI as well.
It’s been a while since I participated in the BSI contest. Unlike Biz, who has entered and won like a bazillion times, I’ve slacked off (and never won) in blogging events like this, and I have lost track of it for a few weeks. But after finding out that Biz won again last week at Megan’s coconut milk challenge, and smiling to myself about how elated she must be, I realized that I really miss participating in blogging events.
This week’s BSI is hosted by Mardi of Eat Live Travel Write, and she chose lemon zest as the challenge ingredient: 
For those of you new to the foodie blogosphere, BSI is a contest among bloggers, short for Bloggers Secret Ingredient. Each week, a new host picks one challenge ingredient, and you submit your recipe featuring that particular ingredient. The host gets to pick the winner by the end of the week. I was host once, and I picked corn. It’s really fun to host such an event; it makes you feel like you’re really part of this blogging community.
So. I shall shamelessly welcome myself to socializing, both in the real and online world, by shamelessly promoting my creation with you guys. But I need to warn you: it isn’t very pretty. I literally whipped this up 20 minutes before my friends arrived. It was a very impromptu dish, and I was maniacally grabbing every ingredient I can think of. So…it might be a bit messy.
“Whatever I Can Get” Pasta
Or: Lemon-Garlic Pasta-Stuffing with Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, & Avocado, Topped with Soft-Boiled Egg… 
Heat up the olive oil in a pan, and when it gets hot enough, throw in the garlic and onion. Stir-fry for a minute, then toss in the lemon zest, dried herbs, and squeeze in the juice. Take a moment to breath in the heavenly, zesty fragrance. Mmm… Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain, and immediately toss with cottage cheese in a big bowl. Pour in the cornbread-lemon-garlic mixture, add the sweet potatoes, tomatoes, avocado, green onion, and feta cheese. Mix, mix, mix until well-combined. Ladle out a serving into a plate, and top with the soft-boiled egg. I’m also liking that I finally participated in BSI again! It’s always lovely to be part of a community. Whether I win or not is secondary…Participating is half the win! Question of the day: How often do you socialize (other than blogging)? Do you participate in blogging events, too?
Next, pour in the cornbread stuffing, and add in chicken broth. Let it cook and simmer, and soak up all the flavors. Add more as necessary as the flavor concentrates. Pour in the half-and half. 
There you have it. A lemony, garlicky mess. I have no idea what it is. Pasta? Stuffing? Salad? Whatever it is, it was downright tasty. 
Sorry to brag, but my friends loved it. One of them is a really, really picky eater – she will not eat any pizza that has vegetables on it. She doesn’t even eat sushi, or any sort of weird fish, for that matter. And she inhaled this. 
I finished up the last remainder of my Moose-shaped pasta from Ikea. Sad. You’re probably wondering why the heck I used cornbread stuffing mix in this. Well, I didn’t have enough pasta, and I wanted sufficient carbs in my dish. So I added that cornbread and the sweet potatoes, and they worked out perfectly. 
Of course, the main attraction was the softly oozing egg! Gosh, it’s like the rock that was hit by Moses to draw water. Precious and magnificent! 
But I have to say, the lemon zest may have been hidden in this dish, but it was certainly a key supporting actor. It really livened up the whole dish, and lemon is such a great combination with avocados and garlic! 
After this lovely dish, my friends and I had a great bible study together. As much as I treasure my privacy, I love socializing, especially with like-minded, spiritual sisters like these church friends. I feel so blessed, and belonged, as we share about our common love for Christ, and our common goal to know and love Him more. 
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hahahahaha “rock that was hit by Moses to draw water”, that’s a perfect description!!! I did wonder why you put corn bread stuffing in it becoz I had too much of it in the thanks giving
I love cute shaped pasta!! need to schedule a trip to Ikea – didn’t know they have these cute little things!!
Have a wonderful weekend and happy Lunar New year to you, Dear Sophia!
lemon and pasta is such a wonderful wonderful combo!
Lost is a very important part of college. How else are you going to keep up with pop culture references?
Haha Sophia you’re still having fun-shaped pasta!!
I don’t socialize in term of ‘parties’, but I do participate in school stuff, like cheerleading and boxing, hang out with friends and going to watch a movie, etc.
xoxo
Love the moose shaped pasta!
I’ve actually been socializing a lot lately with other bloggers! Just went to a blog brunch today! And I’m planning on doing another meet-up soon.
This looks like a good and hearty dish!
ahh I love that oozing egg! So cool and what great presentation.
I don’t socialize as much as I should, mostly because I don’t live on campus and everyone in my degree program works (myself included) and commutes to school just a few times a week. There are organized social events throughout the semester, but it’s not enough to really call it true socializing. I wish I lived on a campus again and had like 50 people living in the same building to hang out with haha.
Lemon zest is such a fabulous BSI ingredient! I love lemon bars, hehe. Great meal that you created! Your friend sounds like one of my brothers–not a huge fan of veggies!
<3 jess
xoxo
Beautiful pastas!
To be honest, I like to socialize in ways that are fairly far removed from blogging. I’m sort of a natural compartamentalizer in life: publishing is separate from blogging which is separate from most of my recreation. But I have met a few awesome friends (ie Melissa) through blogging, and I’m so grateful!
Sophia, you have such a creative spirit in you. Always love seeing what exotic dishes you can churn up in every post! As for me, I had a hard time dragging myself out to socialize in the past, but I realize that I’m enjoying it more and more!
I don’t tend to socialise in huge events (apart from Daring Bakers) but I do have my blogging buddies that I love hanging out with!
i socialized a lot outside of blgging-i wish i could have blogger meet ups tho! esp WITH YOU!!
LOVE that dish- i just learned what a soft boiled egg was!
I need to socialize more. It has mainly due to my friends have all either moved away to different places or they are now dating someone and now can’t manage their time to hang out with friends like they did before (I will stop before I start a rant). One of my friends who is moving within in the next month always meet up for coffee or a meal during the wk and I am always sure to get out of the house during the wknd and go find something to do whether it be working out, going to a bookstore, taking doggie to the dogpark, etc. Thing that sucks is I would socialize every single day if I could, I looooove being around others but just don’t have anyone here to socialize with
You are pretty creative cook I must say. Your pasta look so delish.
Random ingredients often end up making the best meals. Love the idea of an egg with pasta – will have to try!
I usually don’t crave eggs but you make me want them so badly! great recipe love!!!!
Human contact is overrated hahaha
That’s awesome! I’ve never had a soft boiled egg before! It looks really yummy- you’re so creative!
I’ve definitely done the 16 hour days in front of a computer (most if it was spent catching up on TV etc. as well!) But it’s not as fun as socializing with friends!! I always try to spend as much time as I can hanging out with the people around me, because you’re right- human interaction is NECESSARY for your well-being!
Sophia you are FABULOUS!!! your BSI entry is so creative and looks delicious!! I hope you’re having a great weekend, and finding a little time to get outside and socialize
you are a busy busy bee!! xoxo!
I soooo so know what you mean. I mean because I do research on my computer, most of my time is spent in front of it! And I really do need my socializing too. When I spend too much time in front of a screen I get depressed and literally feel sick!!
Oh, and I believe that any meal is made amazing by adding a poached egg on top
Love how you included the egg with the runny yolk over the pasta. Very trendy and hip!
everytime i see your oozy eggs on your dishes, i always wonder to myself why i don’t do that! i’ve got to start topping my plates with egg, it looks so good!
i really can’t go more than a day without spending time with someone other than my kids. i get really cranky and almost paranoid if i’m alone too long. whether i like it or not, i need lots of social contact!
Mmm, what a great entry! Good luck with your studies!
That dish looks wonderful and the egg on top looks good too..Only I won’t eat them
My life this semester is definitely that of a Himalayan hermit. But I can see humans once in a while cuz of being married!!
I dont socialize that much, so blogging is a fab outlet for me. As a housewife who doesnt work, i just dont meet people that easily. As for blogging events, I’m a part of something called mac tweets, and i’ve just joined daring bakers, so we’ll see how that goes.
Anyways, wishing you a wonderful valentines day
*kisses* HH
Seems like a pretty good meal that you just threw together! I would like to participate in more blogger events. I always try to do challenges that people post (I’m working on yours!).
Good for you on making sure you get human contact.
I work from home, and SO know what you mean!
Ugh! Deadlines!! I have one looming and am doing my best to avoid it. Wow, that is some pasta – love the eggs on top and love your approach!
LOVE the addition of cornbread stuffing to this. :] It must have added such a wonderful, corn-y, slightly sweet flavor! Runny egg on top = priceless.
I mainly just socialize at school or on Facebook. I live pretty far away from my friends, so not really anything outside of that, except for on breaks.
Have a lovely day
~ candice
The whole idea of blogger secret ingredient is really neat! I recently just moved to the Pittsburgh area, and haven’t made ANY friends…. the only person I socialize with is the FH so it makes things extremely hard! Maybe if I can actually find a job I will be able to socialize with at least some people!
Because of the boyfriend, I socialize quite frequently… I also socialize more often because I live with a roommate so when he has people over we all hang out together. But I find that often I’m TOO surrounded by people, so I like taking time off for myself. It’s so important to have a balance between alone-time and socializing!
Sophia
The egg half open really did it for me. You are now convincing me that I should join these events, for fun! Sounds like you are having fun with it!
Since I live with 5 other girls, I socialize quite a bit. I hole up in my room to get work done and blog and stuff, but if I’m downstairs I am definitely interacting with other people. It took a while to get used to, but now I love always having someone to share a laugh with!
This cornbread stuffing looks great….especially with that soft boiled egg on top. Nice use of the lemon zest. YUM! Cute moose pasta. How do I become a member of the secret ingredient group? Sounds like fun. Glad you had fun with your bible study group. With 2 small kids we socialize a lot!!
So true about socialization/companionship. I’m currently studying for an exam at the end of February so my head is in the books most evenings. Usually I make the effort to see friends at least once or twice a week. SO important for wellbeing!
I need to socialize more than I do, I try to hook up with a friend at least once a week, but I often get stuck in my shell or with school work, etc…
how do you always make any kind of food looks sooooo good!
You’re so right, socializing is so important, and it is so easy to try push it aside when the pressures of life are upon us… I couldn’t agree with you more, our friends, online and in person, keep us fueled and inspired!
I am so in love with your gorgeous photo of lemon zest!! And I’m in awe of your pasta dish, as I am with all of your incredible flavor combinations… SO dreamy!!
I find that shaped pasta makes me enjoy the dish so much more–does that sound weird?
The photos with the egg are amazing!
Lame comment, I know.
It sounds delicious!
“Gosh, it’s like the rock that was hit by Moses to draw water. Precious and magnificent!” You are the best. But you remember what happened to Moses after he hit the rock more often than God wanted… just saying not to go too heavy on the eggs.
This dish looked amazing and homey, just the thing for dinner.
That really does look tasty!In the winter I tend to keep to myself, by spring Im bored and looking to socialize.
I saw this pasta at eat, travel and write and HAD to have the recipe! It looks so amazing!!
Oh my goodness that looks friggin awesome! Soft boiled eggs are something I should learn to master, I know they aren’t super easy.
What a beautiful dish!!! I love that egg on top!
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