Creamy Pasta Dishes

I just gotta share some recipes. I can't keep all the good ones to myself. These two involve whipping cream. (Not whipped cream! Don't confuse the two. haha)

Lets call this one...
Penne & Creamy Asparagus with Chicken

• 1 bunch asparagus, cut into 2" pieces
• 1lb penne pasta
• 2T butter
• 1 1/4lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1" pieces) -or- left over rotisserie chicken
• 3/4c. heavy cream
• 1/2c. grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2c. chicken broth
• 1/4t. salt
• 1/4 t. pepper
• 1/4c. toasted walnuts

Now...
1. Bring water to a boil. Add asparagus & cook 2 mins. Scoop out asparagus and set aside.
2. Return water to a boil. Cook your pasta and drain. Meanwhile, melt butter in skillet over med-high heat. Add chicken and cook through till no longer pink. Add some kosher salt and pepper in there. Obviously if you're using leftover chicken, you skip this whole step.
3. In heated pan, combine chicken broth, heavy cream, s+p with the asparagus and chicken.
4. Simmer everything until slightly reduced, aprox 7-8 minutes. Toss with pasta. Add walnuts.

Why I love this recipe:

Well for one, I love creamy pasta dishes. Pasta is the ultimate in comfort food. This dish has been a favorite of ours since I discovered it 5 years ago. I appreciate that the walnuts work so well with the Parmesan cheese in this dish. And, sky loves the asparagus because it's covered in creamy yumminess.

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The next recipe is from adapted from my friend, Alissa. She discovered a wonderful Alfredo sauce from allrecipes.com, and neither one of us have bought a can of Alfredo since! I wish I had a picture for this. And I don't want to hear how unhealthy this recipe is. You all know you love Alfredo. ;)

Easy Creamy Alfredo Sauce

• 1c. heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 c. butter
• 3/4 c. freshly grated parmesan cheese
• chopped herbs, coursely chopped. I'm always partial to parsley.
• 1/2 T. of flour.

Now...
Over medium-low heat, combine whipping cream, and butter. Slowly add the parm cheese, whisking till sauce is heated through. Add parsley. If sauce seems too thin, slowly whisk flour. Serve over whole grain pasta and grilled chicken. Serves 4.

Delish. That's all I have to say. Hope you try it, and enjoy!

1+1=4

Mother's Day weekend was wonderful. What a perfect occasion it was to announce to the family that...

YAY! I'm only about 5 weeks along, and already feel pregnant. :) Our due date is on January 6, 2011... so we've got a ways to go!

When I told Sky that she was going to be a big sister, her face lit up. She likes that she's the BIG girl. I was explaining to her that it takes a loooonnnng time for the baby to grow in mama's tummy, and she said, "does your tummy grow slowly and big, just like a moon bounce?" She's been so excited and really seems to understand that she's going to have a little brother or sister. She says, "I am going to teach the baby how to play with baby toys! And she can play with my toys, but she cannot have my lovies." (Her "lovies" are her *special* animals and blankies.) When people ask her what she "wants it to be", she says, "A BOY!" ...but then she talks about having a little sister. So we'll see! :)

When I told Jonathan's family and my family, we had Sky wear a pink t-shirt that says, "I'm going to be a BIG SISTER!" on the front. Sky came strolling in the room with her t-shirt and shocked everyone. Mama Farr looked over to me and said, "Is it really true, Meg?!" followed by hugs. She has been probing when we'd be ready for the next one, so I was beside myself with excitement in telling Jonf's family. Tonight when my family was over, they were all so thrilled and pulled out baby name books right away. Thankfully Jonathan and I are the ones naming our child, or he or she would have a name like "Near And Farr" or "Run Really Farr". My mom's already posted her excitement on Facebook before I've even posted this. I love her excitement in having another grand baby! Our children are so blessed to have grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins that love them so much! And we're so grateful for them. :)