2-29...Leap year pasta

If tonight's dinner tastes as good as it smells while in progress...we will be in piggy heaven.

INGREDIENTS:

Al Dente fettucinne
Baby broccoli
Chicken breasts
Sundried cherry tomatoes, coarsely chopped
Celery
Roasted brussels sprouts (leftover from a previous feast)
Garlic and shallots
Olive oil
Dry basil and oregano
Sweet Vermouth (I love cooking with this)

PROCESS:

Brown the chicken, remove, cut into bite size pieces and set aside.  In olive oil saute the garlic, shallots, and celery until soft, then add the chicken, broccoli, sun dried tomatoes, brussels sprouts,  and wine  and simmer covered over low -medium heat.

 

Add the pasta to the pan and mix well.  Serve with grated parmigiano or romano cheese and enjoy.

COMMENTS"

If I wasn't such a humble guy I would brag.  But of course I cannot do that.  It would be out of character for me to say...this was so ________ good!

2-21...spinach fettuccine w mushrooms, baby broccoli, and chicken

This was one of those "cook what's in the fridge" dinners.

INGREDIENTS:

Fettuccine
Baby broccoli
Portabello mushrooms
Chicken breast
Olive oil
Garlic and onion
Celery
Dry white win
Lemon juice
Tomatoes
Dry basil, oregano,

PROCESS:

Brown the chicken and remove.  Saute the garlic, onion, and celery until soft, then add the mushrooms and cook for about 5- 10 minutes before adding the broccoli.  Cut the chicken into bite size pieces and add to the pan, along with the seasoning and several splashes of wine.  About 4-5 minutess before the pasta is ready add some lemon juice and several slices of small fresh tomatoes (more for coloring than anything else).



COMMENTS:

This made good use of the ingredients on hand.  Bacon would have added another dimension, but the chicken breast was thawed and had to be used.

2-9...Fettuccine with baby brocolli, shrimp, and artichoke hearts

Patience and I have never been fond of whole wheat pasta until we tried the Al dente brand,  (no...I have no financial interest in the company) so tonight I thought their fettuccine would go well with the dish I had in mind.

INGREDIENTS:

Fettuccine
Baby brocolli
Small shrimp
Artichoke hearts
Celery
Garlic and onion
Olive oil
Fresh lemon juice
Dry white wine
Dry dill, basil, and oregano
Red pepper flakes

PROCESS:

Cook the garlic, onion, and celery in the olive oil along with red pepper flakes.  Then add the artichoke heart, brocolli, and wine and continue cooking over low heat.  Since I used frozen, cooked shrimp I added them about 5 minutes before I anticipated the pasta being done, along with the juice of a half a lemon.

Toss in the cooked pasta, mix well and drizzle with olive oil before serving.  Grated romano or parmigiano cheese  is suggested.

COMMENTS:

I gave this an 8.  It was good, but not special and did not leave me wanting more.  I think I used too many ingredients and should have limited it to the brocolli and shrimp.  Whatever the reason...it needs more work.  The best part of the meal was the pasta.

PASTA QUEST DAY...week 4...DAY 19

To avoid any confusion...this mornings post was last night's dinner. This post is this evenings' dinner.

5-25-11


Spaghetti with baby broccoli, diced tomatoes, and bacon

INGREDIENTS:
Pasta
1 can diced tomatoes
Olive oil, garlic, green onions
3 pieces Bacon cut into ½” pieces
Basil, Oregano
Baby broccoli florets, chopped

PROCESS:
Place the diced tomatoes, with their juice in a small bowl and add 1 clove of finely chopped garlic, olive oil, basil, oregano, and salt, and set aside. Today’s tomatoes were prepared 24 hrs earlier.

Cook the bacon, remove and set aside on paper towels, and discard the fat. Saute the garlic and green onions in olive oil along with red pepper flakes. Remove the garlic and discard, and add the broccoli with a splash of white wine. Cook for 5 minutes, then add the tomatoes and simmer.

Add the pasta to the pan, mix well, and sprinkle with the bacon and drizzle w olive oil.

COMMENTS:

This was incredibly good, with a very distinct flavor. I think preparing the tomatoes 24 hours earlier gave them time to “ripen”. (They were originally intended to be used in a bruschetta lunch.)




Sadly there were no leftovers or me to share with Keyth.

Regarding my wife's coat...she has ice blood in her body and is the only person I know who is cold in 80 degree weather.