Reasonably Unboring Pasta

This pasta is really fast (if I had a prep assistant to do my chopping, it would have been lightning fast) and feels spring-like. And it even tasted decent the next day for lunch.

Lemon Asparagus Pasta

Ingredients:
Linguine (or whatever)
1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 Tblsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
zest of two lemons, minced
juice of 1 lemon
1 big handful finely grated parmesan
1 small handful Italian parsley, chopped
salt
pepper

1. Cook pasta in boiling salted water, add asparagus in the last 5 minutes of cooking. Drain, reserving some of the pasta water.
2. Meanwhile, heat garlic and olive oil over medium heat in a large pan until sizzling. Cook garlic for about 3 minutes.
3. Add pasta and asparagus to oil, along with zest, lemon juice, cheese, parsley, and about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water (to make it saucy). Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss until cheese is melted. Enjoy.
4. After dinner, slice the leftover lemon in half, and use it, along with some salt, to scrub your garlic-smelling cutting board. (Tip courtesy of Martha.)

¡Olé!

Black Beans
This is a simple recipe that’s really good and extremely satisfying when you're hungry. I use these black beans in tacos or burritos, or serve them alongside some cheesy rice and tortillas with salsa for a satisfying (albeit distinctively student-y) meal. It’s adapted from a Martha recipe (what isn’t?), but I think my version is a little more utilitarian.

Ingredients
1 Tblsp olive oil
1–2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion (yellow or red), chopped
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can green chilies, chopped
3–4 Tblsp prepared red salsa
1 Tblsp chopped fresh cilantro
2 cups water
salt
pepper

1. Heat garlic and olive oil in a sauce pan until sizzling. Add onion and sauté for a few minutes over medium heat.
2. Add beans, green chilies, and water. Season with a little salt.
3. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 15-25 minutes, until the liquid is reduced and thickened.
4. Add salsa and cilantro. Taste and add salt and pepper as necessary.

Minieggs!

Bina, from London, UK:

Believe it or not, KFC here has a blended soft-serve dessert called the Avalanche, and Cadbury minieggs are one of the items you can blend into it! Upon hearing this, Sona said "SHUT UP! You'd better bring me one!"