Great Cook Books I Cook (and live) by

  • Big Orange Book by Rachael Ray
  • Giada at Home
  • Jamie at Home
  • Look and Cook by Rachael Ray

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Pesto Chicken Pasta

Today I thought I would post a recipe which I make over and over again at work, and it is a favourite! I looked outside this morning and saw the rain, and thought this recipe would be perfect comfort food on such a dreary day! Put the left overs in the fridge and enjoy for a few days for lunch, or another dinner! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 box pasta, penne or rigatoni are best in my opinion
a splash olive oil
a little chunk of pancetta, or three slices bacon, chopped
1 jar pesto (or make your own by putting a few handfuls of basil, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor, adding good olive oil little by little until a paste forms, then, add a handful of parmesan cheese)
1 large red pepper, chopped
1 bunch asparagus, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
3 cups shredded left over chicken (or a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store)

In a large pasta pot, begin boiling water for the pasta. Once it starts boiling, add a generous amount of salt to the water, add the pasta, and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving a cup of the cooking liquid. Set aside.

Meanwhile in a large sauce pan, heated to medium high heat, cover the bottom of the pan with a splash of olive oil. Add the pancetta, or bacon and cook until crisp. Add the onion, peppers, asparagus, and garlic. Let cook until tender crisp. Add the sun dried tomatoes, the pesto, and the chicken. Add the reserved pasta water, and finally the pasta. Stir until all the sauce covers the pasta. Add some extra parmesan cheese, to taste and serve hot. This is great with a light salad on the side.

Try it - it'll be one of your favourites!
Cheers!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Easy Chicken Pesto Pizza

Okay - this pizza is so good! And it is easily grilled on the bar be cue! It makes a really good appetizer too! There is no measuring, so you can just have fun! Combine the ingredients as you like and enjoy! So, use a combination of the following ingredients, and bake in a 350 degree F oven until the crust in golden and the cheeses are melted and starting to brown. YUM!!!!

Pizza dough - one ball from grocery store, or make your own!
Pesto - store bought or home made (combine 2 lg handfuls of basil, a handful of pine nuts, a handful of parsley, 1 or 2 garlic cloves, and a handful of parmesan cheese in a food processor with enough olive oil to form a paste)
Grilled chicken - (Left overs, or pick up a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store) chopped
Red onion
Roasted peppers, chopped
Sun dried tomatoes, chopped
Black olives, chopped
Feta cheese
Mozzarella cheese
Olive oil
Dried oregano

Roll out the dough and cover with the pesto. Now, add your toppings - as much or as little as you like of each. Top with the feta and then the mozzarella. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with oregano. Bake, and enjoy!

I love feed back - please comment and let me know how you like this recipe - also, let me know what you would like recipes for, and remember to always enjoy your time in the kitchen!
Cheers!