Penne Al Fresco With Grilled Chicken

11:09 PM ByFiled UnderMouthwatering Monday, Poultry

There’s a certain beauty in simple ingredients.  Sharp bursting tomatoes, peppery, licorice flavored  basil, fragrant savory garlic, pasta and the tang of dry white wine.  When you can blend these ingredients into a fresh, simple, delicious pasta dish that’s easy to make and prepared in under 30 minutes… it’s even better.

Pampered Chef sent me their Covered Baking Dish to try.  I was skeptical, y’all know me.   Something you make in the microwave, and I’m going to like it? Probably not.

Then, there was the garlic slicer.. I love, love, LOVE the garlic slicer, it might be my new favorite kitchen tool. Y’all know me, I rarely cook without garlic .. the only downside, they didn’t send the garlic peeler, too. ;-(  (There’s always a catch, right?) ;-)

I live in the South, I’ve spent my adult life hearing about Pampered Chef… it’s as Southern as Apple Pie, BBQ, Paula Deen and Southern Fried Chicken.

Nathan and I pored over the included recipes and decided upon the Chicken and Penne Pasta.

It was better, easier and more flavorful than I  thought it would be.  Nathan ate two helpings.

They have entire recipes centered around this baking dish and I have to admit looking at them,  I wasn’t all that impressed but now, after eating this one… I’m intrigued and looking forward to trying more.

pampered pasta1

  • 4 garlic cloves (I used 7.. y’all know me)
  • 2 C grape, cherry tomatoes
  • 3 C uncooked penne pasta (barilla pasta plus)
  • 3 C chicken broth
  • 3/4 C dry white whine ( Barefoot Chardonnay)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper (1 tsp)
  • 1 1/4 C lightly packed fresh basil leaves, divided
  • 1 oz fresh Parmesan cheese, grated (1/4 C packed)
  • 2 C diced grilled chicken (about 3 breasts)

(italicized parentheses are mine)

pampered pasta 3

  1. Spray Deep Covered Baker with olive oil spray.   Slice garlic, I used my Garlic Slicer (woot!!! this may be my new favorite kitchen toy) Add tomatoes.  Cover and microwave on high for 2 minutes.  Stir.   Microwave another 3 minutes.
  2. Crush tomatoes and garlic.  Add pasta, wine, broth and spices.  Microwave for 18 minutes, Stir at 10 minutes.
  3. Coarsely chop basil and grate cheese, chop chicken.
  4. Carefully remove the dish from the microwave, remove the lid (beware of steam), stir in basil, chicken and cheese.  Mix well.
  5. Top with additional cheese and garlic and pepper (if you like)

If you’re joining in the MWM linky, thank you.  I love that you’re here every week, I thank you for joining if it’s your first Monday.  This is a joyous place for people to share their favorite recipes, their love of food and their general desire to revel in the nom nom of good food.  Please grab your tonguegasmic button, say HI, sign the MkcLinky with your Recipe URL and then visit the other MWM participants!


So here’s the deal.  I am actually so impressed with the Covered Baking Dish that Pampered Chef is offering one to one of my readers, that means one of y’all!  This is a huge deal y’all.. this thing is oven safe, microwave safe, freezer/fridge safe and it is fantastic quality stoneware.  You want this. Trust me.

So,  tell me do you use Pampered Chef products?  IF you do, which Pampered Chef product has made your life easier?  If you don’t , why do you love cooking and which Pampered Chef product would inspire you in your kitchen?

For a 2nd entry:  Tweet this and leave the Tweet URL in an additional comment

For a 3rd entry:  If you had any amount to spend at PamperedChef.com what would you buy, and why?


In case you need me to be more transparent.. YES, I received the product gratis.   NO, they were not able to purchase my review and opinion.  If I hadn’t like this.. you would have known.  I’m as transparent as saran wrap and as honest as the day is long.. Y’all know that.  I’m just blessed to be able to have this opportunity and to share this product with y’all.

You have until Wednesday, August 5th at 11:59PM CST to enter. I’ll then use random.org to pick a winner

Congratulations to our Winner: Alisha in Ohio

Submitted on 2009/08/03 at 1:16pm

If I could buy more stuff I would buy

More stoneware! (esp. the Bar Pan!)
The garlic press
and that lovely baker dish you have :)

Commenter #35 as chosen by Random.OrgRANDOM.ORG - Integer Generator_1249574975290

Tagged, 78 Comments

Lemon Butter Pasta with Steamed Shrimp and Broccoli

7:22 AM ByFiled UnderMain Dishes, Mouthwatering Monday

[donotprint]lemon butter pasta with shrimp and broccoli

I had the most amazing time at BlogHer and I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the beauty of the women that I met.  My mind is still reeling but there will be posts to come to show and hopefully put words to the emotions and excitement that have my heart bursting at it’s fullness.

This pasta might be the easiest pasta and sauce that I have ever made.
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Lemon Butter Pasta with Steamed Shrimp and Broccoli

  • 4 Tbsp butter
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • Dash of salt and pepper
  • 3/4 box of Barilla Linguini, cooked
  • 1 lb shrimp
  • 1 Old Bay seafood steamer bag with seasoning
  1. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the box.  While the pasta is cooking follow the directions on the steamer bag and cook shrimp in the microwave. (this is so easy, you won’t believe it)
  2. Cook broccoli (or zucchini or squash or whatever veggie you’d like to add to the pasta)
  3. Over medium heat on the stove melt the butter and add the lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper and stir frequently until the butter is melted and fully incorporated.
  4. Drain the pasta, toss with the sauce, top with shrimp and broccoli.

Add a dash of grated parmesan and serve.  Simple, Delicious and Quick! YUM[donotprint]

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If you’re participating in Mouthwatering Mondays with your own Tonguegasmic recipe please make sure to say Hi, Sign the McLinky and then visit the other participants to share their love of food and let them know what you like about their recipes, blog or just tell them Howdy ;-)

Thanks for playing along with the Mouthwatering yumminess!!!


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Tagged, , , , , 17 Comments

Almost Pasta Carbonara

9:25 PM ByFiled UnderMain Dishes, Mouthwatering Monday

almost pasta carbonara

This recipe came from my Kraft Two Week Dinner Planner, but the recipe that I’m going to share with y’all is my own take on it. If you want the original, then you can download your own two week dinner planner here

Almost Pasta Carbonara

  • 1/2 lb medium size pasta, I use multi-colored farfalle because it’s festive and I like pretty food.
  • 5 oz cream cheese, cubed
  • 1 C mushrooms, sliced
  • 1/2 C Grated Parmesan Cheese (yes, the one in the green shaker)
  • 3/4 C milk
  • dash red pepper
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 C frozen peas
  • 6 slices bacon (BurghBaby, It is ALMOST vegetarian.  The bacon can be optional)
  • Fresh Parmesan Cheese for topping
  1. Cook pasta as directed on package.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, cook bacon in a skillet until it’s nice and crisp.  Remove the bacon, leaving the drippings in the pan, and set the bacon aside.
  3. Add all ingredients to the skillet with the drippings and cook on low heat until the sauce is thoroughly melted and simmering nicely.
  4. Toss the sauce and the pasta together, top with freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped bacon.

If you’re joining in the MWM fun, Thank You!  Post your recipe, link back to here so that others can find us, snag your Tonguegasmic button and make sure that you say Hi here and visit the other MWM participants!

Tagged, 19 Comments
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