Pesto Pasta with Chicken

I made this a few weeks back for my dad and husband and we all loved it. I love pesto, and sometimes like a little something extra added into the sauce. The best pesto I had was in Italy, of course, but this is delicious and easy for at home.
(Next time I make it, I'll come back and add a picture.)

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package rotini or penne pasta
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts - cut into thin strips
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup pesto
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese


Directions
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute chicken and garlic until chicken is almost cooked.
3. Reduce heat and stir in salt, pepper, cream, pesto and Parmesan cheese. Cook until chicken is no longer pink inside.
4. Stir in cooked pasta and serve.

I serve it with a green salad and garlic bread.

Enjoy!

Super Simple Pasta Salad

Summer is coming!  That means BBQs and yummy foodstuffs.  So, I thought I'd throw up my super simple, yet incredibly delicious pasta salad.  

Please note though, this recipe needs to mariante overnight, so don't try to make it the day of, it just won't taste right.

Ingredients

12oz box of Tri Colored Rotini Pasta

1 bottle of Wish Bone Robusto Italian Dressing

1 container of Grape Tomatoes

Directions

Make pasta according to directions

Drain

Put in large bowl, whatever you plan to serve it in.  

Halve the grape tomatoes, as many as desired

Add the bottle of dressing, stir well to mix it all together.  Yes it will seem like a lot, but the dressing is intended to soak into the pasta and that's what makes it all taste amazing.

Refrigerate overnight.  Stir it in the morning if you remember to mix the dressing, since it will settle at the bottom.  Then, when ready to serve, make sure you stir it really well again.

Enjoy!

Spring Treat: Bird's Nests

This is a perfect kitchen project for moms and kids...

or ladies who just like to act (and eat) like kids. 

: )

They are so yummy.

 Chocolate bird's nests.

We make them every spring - just before Easter.

I suggest you install the same tradition.

Here's the recipe:

Full post HERE.
Pictures taken by Ashley Miller.
Recipe by Mrs. B.

: )

Happy Spring!

Ciabatta Bread

 I came across a super easy bread recipe and decided to give it a try. My niece said "Amy's yummy bread is THE best ever"!  You'll just have to try it for yourself!

Ciabatta Bread

4 cups flour
2 tsp kosher salt (1 tsp if using table salt)
1/4 tsp yeast + 2 cups warm water (put in microwave for 30 seconds)

Mix all ingredients together just until moist.
Cover with plastic wrap and leave for 8-12 hours on counter.
Put on greased cookie sheet (or silpat on cookie sheet) and gently form.
Bake at 400 degrees 35-40 mins.

I added sunflower seeds to the top. You could also try cranberries. Let me know if you have other great ideas!

Cake Mix Cookies

These are the EASIEST cookie to make! There are only 3 ingredients and they are fantastic!

Cake Mix Cookies

1 Cake Mix (your choice!)

2 Eggs

1/2 cup Oil

Roll into a ball. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 7-10 min. (I usually bake mine 7-8 min because I like mine chewy)

I love to experiment with this recipe and see what I come up with. Here are some ideas:

• Roll the top of the cookies in sprinkles. I especially like the Wilton Mint Crunch (see here).
• Make homemade Oreos with vanilla frosting.

Enjoy!

Spinach Salad w/ Cranberries & Balsamic Vinaigrette

For the salad:



spinach leaves - washed
dried cranberries
slivered almonds
stinky cheese

When I say "stinky cheese" I mean a pungent cheese like goat cheese or blue cheese.
I'm not a fan of these types of cheeses...too strong for my tastes but I'm sure they would taste lovely on this salad if its your thing.

 For the vinaigrette:

1/4 cup good balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 T. chopped garlic
2 teaspoons dark brown sugar (optional)*
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup olive oil


*the brown sugar is not needed if you have a good quality balsamic vinegar.
I mix all my dressing ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake until they are well combined.
Adding more or less of an ingredient to taste.

I promise, once you make your own Balsamic Vinaigrette you will not go back to the store bought varieties if you can help it.
It's so easy to make and the taste is exceptional.


Mrs. B.

Sugar Cookies w/Lemon Zest

This Christmas I decided to try these Sugar Cookies. The lemon zest really made it intriguing to me. I thought they turned out really good! I will be making them again!

Uncooked Tortillas

My sister in law makes the best tortillas from scratch, but there is no way that I have that kind of time. So, I found these Uncooked Tortillas that are a great substitute. They are really easy to cook. They are great for Quesadillas, Fajitas, Tacos, Wraps, etc.

I have found them at Costco, some Grocery Stores, Walmart.

For quesadillas, I usually just add cheese, chicken, salsa. Makes a great lunch!