Valentine's Pasta Dinner

So I have done this recipe and gotten it from the Pioneer Woman's website. She's great. I changed it a bit and then added some side dishes that I make. This would be a perfect Valentines dinner. I have to say though, you have got to love lemon lol

"We are all born for love. It is the principle of existence, and its only end."

Creamy Lemon Basil Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

4 whole Chicken Breasts, Sliced

1 pound Penne Pasta, Cooked Until Al Dente

½ sticks Butter

3 whole Lemons, Juiced

¾ cups Heavy Cream

¼ cups Half-and-half

1-½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (or Romano)

Salt And Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste

20 whole Basil Leaves

1 tablespoon of minced garlic

3 sprigs of Rosemary 

1 teaspoon of pepper

1/2 red onion

Chicken

Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat until foamy.

Be sure to melt butter over medium heat so it doesn't brown or burn.

Add chicken to skillet in single layer; cook 6 to 8 minutes per side or until chicken is lightly browned.

Cover; reduce heat to low.

Cook 15 to 20 minutes, depending on type of chicken (boneless or skinless or size of breast) until chicken is tender and no longer pink in center.

Slice into half strips.

Pasta:

Bring 4 - 6 quarts of water to a rolling boil

Add pasta to boiling water. 

Stir gently.

Return to a boil. 

Al dente pasta: boil uncovered, stirring occasionally for 11 minutes. (I like Al Dente best)

Tender pasta: boil an additional 1 minute.

Remove from heat. Drain well.

Set pasta aside in a colander.

In the same pot as pasta, melt butter over medium heat. Add in minced garlic and rosemary sprigs and finely chopped red onions. Cook until onions are soft and slightly browned.

Squeeze in the juice of 3 to 4 lemons. Whisk together.

Pour in cream and half-and-half. Whisk until hot. 

Dump in cheese and basil leaves, whisk until melted. 

Add salt and pepper to taste. 

Check consistency, adding some hot water to loosen the sauce if needed.

Pour pasta and sauce into a large serving bowl. Sprinkle remaining basil all over the top, then add sliced chicken breasts. 

Garlic and Almond Green Beans

So you can try this with real green beans and cook them in a variety of way. But I like to just buy the steam in bag (call me lazy lol) but it is just as good and super easy. If you want to take the time, follow this link to how to cook Green Beans in different ways: http://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cook-with-fruits-and-vegetables/how-to-cook-green-beans/

Ingredients

8oz bag of Steam-in-Bag Frozen Green Beans

1/2 Cup of of Finely Chopped Almonds

1/2 Cup of Minced Garlic (yes that much)

1/2 stick of melted butter (or you could substitute extra virgin olive oil)

Follow cooking instructions on back of bag of frozen green beans (typically 5 minutes in the microwave)

After Green Beans are tender, pour green beans (drained) into a dish.

Melt a 1/2 stick of butter in the microwave.

Pour in butter with green beans, add in minced garlic and almonds.

Stir together, and salt and pepper to taste.

Microwave for an additional minute or two to heat before serving.

Balsamic Strawberry Salad

1 Head of Romaine Lettuce

1/3 cup of Finely Chopped Almonds

1/3 cup of Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 1/2 cup of sliced strawberries

Dressing:

1/3 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/4 cup of Balsamic Vinegar

1 tsp of Sugar

1 tbsp of Minced Garlic

1 tsp of salt

1 tsp of pepper

Whisk dressing ingredients together.

Chop romaine lettuce and combine all ingredients and toss with as much dressing as you like.

(not my photos)

Enjoy! Happy Valentine's Day!