Hearty Chicken Pasta

This will become your family's favorite chicken pasta! The white wine, mushroom soup, and fresh ingredients make this pasta super hearty and tasty.

Ingredients:

• 6 boneless chicken breast halves
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 package dry Italian salad dressing mix
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 can condensed mushroom soup
• 4 ounces cream cheese with chives
• 1 pound angel hair pasta
• 1 package diced mushroom
• 1 red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
• Sea salt & fresh ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325º.
2. In a large saucepan, melt butter then add in red bell pepper and mushrooms. Add in dry salad dressing mixture and stir. Add in white wine and mushroom soup. Blend for 2 minutes and mix in cream cheese. Stir until smooth. Heat through but do not let boil. 
3. Arrange chicken breasts in a baking dish. Pour sauce mixture over the chicken. Bake for 1 hour.
4. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water about 5 minutes until it is al dente. Drain pasta and serve sauce over pasta. Season with salt & pepper. Enjoy!

Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta

I saw some beautiful brussels sprouts at the local farmer's market and it reminded me of a dish I had in Paris. This is very tasty and healthy dish to serve as a side or entree.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh brussels sprouts, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 ounces pancetta slices, coarsely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Sea salt & ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup chicken broth

Directions:

1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook brussels sprouts about 3 minutes then drain.
2. Heat a large skillet with butter. Add pancetta and saute until crisp which is about 3 minutes. Add garlic and saute until golden. Add brussels sprouts and saute until it begins to brown which is about 5 minutes. Season with salt & pepper. Add chicken broth and simmer until the broth reduces til it's just enough to cover the brussels sprouts. Serve immediately.

Ritzy Chicken Nuggets

This is a great afternoon snack or appetizer. I like to use Ritz crackers in this dish but of course, you can use any cracker in your pantry. This is not your ordinary chicken nuggets. It's tender yet crispy!

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 1/2 cup Ritz cracker crumbs

Directions:

1. Slice chicken breasts into 7 slices or nugget sized pieces.
2. Pour buttermilk and chicken slices into a zip-lock bag. Leave in the refrigerator to marinade for 1 hour or up to 1 day.
3. Preheat oven to 425º.
4. Place cracker crumbs into a large bowl. Remove chicken nuggets from the bag and shake off excess buttermilk then dip them in the cracker crumbs. Coat well and place chicken nuggets on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

Garlic Bread

I serve garlic bread quite often as everybody love them and garlic has extraordinary health benefits. This is an easy and authentic way to prepare garlic bread. No, don't use garlic powder or garlic salt.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf French or Italian bread
• 1/2 stick butter, melted
• Sea salt & ground black pepper
• 5 cloves garlic

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. Slice bread in an angle and place in a baking pan. Drizzle melted butter on each bread slice. Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Bake for 5-10 minutes.
3. Remove bread from oven and immediately rub garlic on the toasty bread. Bon Appetit!

Fresh & Easy Potato Salad

This is a perfect potato salad for picnics, family gatherings, and game days. Kids and the guys love this salad. My friend's husband request this salad on Super Bowl days.

Ingredients:

• 3 medium russet potatoes
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 pound hot dogs, pierced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• Sea salt & ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Boil the potatoes whole until tender which is about 10 minutes. Drain and cool. Peel skin and cut potatoes into bite-size pieces.
2. Place the hot dogs into a hot grill pan and cook until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cut the hot dogs crosswise into bite-size pieces.
3. Toss potatoes, hot dogs, basil leaves, and olive oil in a large bowl. Season with salt & pepper. Add more olive oil if salad seems dry. Toss well and serve!