The Verdict Is In

The verdict is in - Tuscan Garlic Chicken was DELICIOUS!  I changed the pasta to Trader Joe's Lemon Pepper Papperadelle (oh I hope I spelled that correctly!) but kept everything else the same.  On the brussel sprouts side, the husband said , "well... they're as good as brussel sprouts CAN be"... humph!
I think they were GREAT!

Here are some photos of the process:

I'll make this again... and again. Thank you Mel's Kitchen Cafe for this FAB recipe!

Tuscan Garlic Chicken...Husband Comfort Food!

Hello Dear Ones!
It HAS been awhile, but sincerely, I HAVE been busy...  The craft room project is coming along - albeit s.l.o.w.l.y  - but at least in a forward motion!  Card making for Valentines Day was also a diversion...and then there is the newly learned Crocheting ( thanks to my Jen)... I know, JUST what I needed was ANOTHER hobby!!!
Well, since this post is about the feeding of the husband tonight, here is the recipe from mels kitchen cafe:

Tuscan Garlic Chicken

from melskitchencafe.com

*Note: if the chicken breasts you are using are overly thick, you can butterly them, cutting all the way through so you end up with two thinner cuts of chicken breast. Second note: I would say this recipe is right on the edge of just having enough sauce but not an overabundance, so if you like things on the saucier end of the spectrum, feel free to double that part of the recipe.

*Serves 4-6 (depending on if you are serving adults or kids)

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

1 tablespoon finely minced garlic (about 4-5 cloves)

1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips or chopped

1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

6 ounces fresh spinach

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 cup lowfat milk

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 pound fettuccine

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a shallow pie plate or similar dish, combine the flour, salt, pepper, basil and oregano. Dip each chicken piece in the flour mixture until both sides are well coated.

In a large 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat until the oil is hot and shimmering. Carefully place the chicken breasts in the pan, cooking them for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they are golden and browned but not cooked all the way through (they'll finish up in the oven). Don't scoot the chicken around once you lay it in the hot oil! Let the oil work it's magic to sear the crust on the chicken. If you get all antsy and try flipping too early and/or moving the chicken around the pan, the breading is lightly to fall off. Gently remove the chicken to a foil-lined, lightly greased baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Set aside and tent with foil until ready to use.

While the chicken is cooking, heat a large pot of water to a boil and add the noodles, cooking until al dente. Also, wipe out the skillet with a couple paper towels and return it to medium heat, adding the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and bell pepper, sauteing for 2-3 minutes.

Stir in one tablespoon flour and stir constantly while cooking for another minute. Add the chicken broth to the skillet and bring the mixture to a low simmer, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes. In a small liquid measure, whisk together the cornstarch and cream. Add the spinach, milk and cream mixture to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is wilted and sauce is slightly thickened, about 2-4 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.

When the pasta has finished cooking, drain and return it to the pot. Toss the pasta with half of the cheese sauce. Place some of the coated pasta on each plate. Top with a breaded chicken breast and spoon some of the sauce over the top of the chicken and pasta. Serve immediately.

I'm serving a side of Oven Roasted Brussel Sprouts with it.  The recipe is from Emerill Lagasse, so it should be good, right?  I'll take some photos tonight and also let you know the husbands verdict.

Oh, I almost forgot the MOST important part - DESSERT!  It's a Blueberry cobbler/Crumble...oh YUM!

A Japanese Knot Bag

Sewing Patterns | HelenHeath.com

This is a tutorial of a Japanese Knot Bag... Just think of all the great fabrics you could use from your stash!

Dream a little Dream

This morning I made some time to gather all the runaway supplies back into their respective tubs in the craft room.  Still waiting for a plan.  Until then... 

Craft Room Chaos - Where Do I Begin????

 It's the first day of a new year, hello 2012!  I have wanted to...and tried to organize my craft room/guest room, into something that would allow me to utilize all my tools for all my passions. Alas, I have failed.  How do people do it?  My husband says "you just have TOO MANY hobbies"... But, I say, "I love each one of them - how could I choose just one or two"?  I am an artist (oils, watercolors, acrylics...brushes, canvases & papers)), a quilter & sewer (a machine, threads bobbins, rotary cutter, rulers, etc. &lots of lovely fabrics), a scrapbooker (a Cricut machine, paper cutters, punches...so many photos, papers & embellishments), a cardmaker (Rubber Stamps, Stamp Pads, more lovely papers and embellishments), a photographer.....
(Ok - the computer and printer are upstairs in the office for this one!),
a crafter ( which includes all of the above equiptment & supplies + + + + more???) Have I forgotten anything???   
I need some serious help...an intervention?... A PLAN - that's it! I'd like to be able to easily (that's the KEY word here) access everything, instead of moving tubs around in and out of the closet, thereby, making yet another mess!
Are there any kind and organized Bloggers out there that will help me?  I'm sincerely in need of your help...
Where is my Fairy Godmother when I need her? :0

During December, supplies that were once in tubs in the closet, migrated out into the room - where they still sit today...sigh..... and sigh again. I cannot believe that I  actually posted  photos of the embarrassing chaos, but, I need help.