My Favorite Recipe

It has been a while since I have posted any recipes so I thought I would share my very favorite thing to make for dinner. I made it a few nights ago & I am wishing I hadn't halved the recipe {it makes a lot}.

Chicken Penne with Tomato Cream Sauce

1 lb. penne pasta {I used rigatoni this time around}

2 T. butter 

1 onion, chopped

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes {I actually add more than that - but we like things spicy around here}

2 garlic cloves, minced {I add more of that too - have you ever had too much garlic?!}

2 lb. Roma tomatoes, chopped {I used to do large chunks & then puree the whole thing but this time I chopped them quite small & cooked the heck out of the tomatoes so they just became mush. Either way works}

2 cups cream

1 cup broccoli or peas

1 teaspoon salt {maybe more - season to taste}

Pepper {I use white pepper - Mmm.}

Whole Roasted Chicken, shredded {I used this Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken recipe. It was scrumptious & super easy: 4 chicken breasts in greased pan. Heat 3 T. olive oil in small sauce pan. Saute 4 minced garlic cloves in oil for about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat. Add 4 T. brown sugar. Pour over chicken. Bake at 500 degrees for 15-30 min. Remove from oven & seal tight with foil - this makes the chicken super juicy. Allow to come to room temperature. Shred and add to whatever you like. Also good as main course.}

Boil large pot of salted water {for pasta}. When water is boiling place broccoli in pan and cook for 3 minutes. Use skimmer to remove broccoli. Add pasta to boiling water & cook according to directions. {This step eliminates cleaning an extra pan & boiling more water} Reserve small amount of pasta water. In large saute pan, melt butter; stir in onion and red pepper flakes. Cook until onions are soft. Add garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes. Stir in chopped tomatoes & allow those to cook for a good long while until they become really mushy. Stir occasionally. Add cream & let simmer until the sauce has reduced & becomes thick. Add salt & pepper, to taste. Add pasta water - enough to make sauce smooth & silky. Combine broccoli/peas, chicken, pasta, and sauce & some Parmesan cheese if you like. Eat & enjoy! The leftovers are even better!

While I cooked Oliver slept. When he woke up, he enjoyed his jumperoo!

Happy boy!