Tonight I dazzled my fiancee's family with one of my signature dishes. I decided to share my dish with the internet as part of the Amateur Chef blog. As my first recipe post, I wanted to share one of my favorites. This dish is a favorite at my table and it could be one at yours as well. I have been working on this one for the last few years, and each time it keeps getting better. It is my take on a classic Italian dish. Chicken and Penne pasta served in my homemade Alfredo sauce.
Ingredients:
3 medium boneless chicken breasts
1 1/2 pound penne pasta
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
2 to 2 1/2 cups milk (your choice, I use 2%)
3 cups mixed Italian cheese (low-moisture part-skim mozzarella, provalone, romano, asiago, and parmesan. I used Kraft brand)
2 tablespoons Tuscany Blend (pepper, garlic, basil, onion, rosemary, tomato powder, sea salt, spices. from The Spice and Tea Exchange of Sarasota Florida)
1 to 2 teaspoon Emeril's Chicken Rub
2 to 3 teaspoons garlic powder
2 to 3 teaspoons freshly ground peppercorn medley (black, white, green, pink)
Instructions:
-Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and rub with 1/6 to 1/4 of the seasonings. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Add half of the olive oil into large saucepan and heat on medium high. Cook chicken and add more seasoning if needed. Remove chicken from pan, but do not drain. The liquid will be used in the alfredo sauce.
-Cook noodles as per instructions, and drain. Return noodles into the drained pot and add chicken.
-In the saucepan, add the remaining olive oil and return to medium high heat. Add the cheese in 1/4s and continually stir to prevent burning. Once half of the cheese is semi-melted (it wont melt entirely) add half of the milk and continue to stir. Add 1/3 of the seasoning. Repeat until all of the milk and cheese has been added. Once the sauce is the correct consistency (melty cheesy), pour into the pot and stir to evenly coat the noodles and chicken. Add the remaining seasoning and stir.
-Serve immediately. (serves 8)
Served with a side of broccoli and tuscan bread.
-steam broccoli, sprinkle any remaining cheese and serve
-Slice a loaf of Italian bread into 2/3 inch slices. Lightly coat with olive oil, lightly sprinkle the mixed cheese on top and a pinch of the tuscan seasoning. Toast at 350 for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
While I am neither sponsored or endorsed by Pepsicola, I enjoyed this meal with Sunkist Solar Fusion soda. It is a delightful tropical mandarin flavor and full of vitamins of all things. Whatever your preference of libation, if you prepare this dish for your friends and family they will definitely warm your table more often. Try it just once and you'll find out what I mean. This is a perfect dish for a date night as well. Just cut the recipe down to 1/4th of this, and you can have a nice candlelight dinner with your spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, or partner. With a glass of white wine at hand, it'll bring a little taste of Tuscany to your table.
Whether you're cooking for one, two, or even a dozen; have fun in the kitchen. Without enjoyment, food is just food. With the right attitude in the kitchen, you can make your dinner an experience never to forget. Take it from the amateur chef, your stomach will thank you for it.
