#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Food and Life

Spinach, Artichoke and Chicken Penne

March 29, 2010 · Narrative

Penne with Spinach, Artichokes and Chicken

Okay, so clearly that’s not penne in the picture.  Forgive me.  I’m a use-what’s-on-hand kind of girl. Wrong pasta aside, this was a new recipe I made recently when The Neighbors came over for dinner. I’m a big fan of Spinach Artichoke Dip, but know so few people that actually like it as well, that my time with it is minimal. When I saw this recipe from a recent episode of Rachael Ray‘s talk show, and later tasted it, it instantly reminded me of the dip. It seriously tastes like you took the Spinach Artichoke Dip and mixed it in with your favorite pasta.

Nick is generally suspicious when he sees something green on his plate, unless it’s salad, cucumbers or artichokes, all of which he loves.  The kids looked at the pasta, and started to eat.  He asked me what the green stuff was and I vaguely answered “herbs and things,” which was basically true.  I’m not a fan of hiding vegetables.  Spinach was definitely front and center in this one, but with the other ingredients, the taste wasn’t strongly oft-putting and the kids did all but lick their plate.  Love that.

Creamy, comforting and a perfect quick meal for weeknight craziness.  Sometimes that’s all you really need.

Project 365, Photo #71
March 29, 2010

Burned to a Crisp

Speaking of Rachael Ray, every time she toasts bread on her show, she makes a joke about needing to make twice as much because she always burns it. Judging by the above picture, I’m in good company. Nick is on a toast-for-breakfast kick lately, and I actually burned toast three days in a row. I can make a wicked cocktail, a perfectly caramelized Creme Brulee and an entree or three that are so good they might make you cry. But not toast? Technically, it’s not my fault. For some reason, the toaster oven doesn’t ding and shut off any more when it’s done. And with the whirlwind of activity that takes places in the morning, I’m not sitting right over it, watching it like a hawk the whole time. Given that this is what the toaster oven currently looks like, I’m thinking a new toaster is, unfortunately, in order. But if not for this toaster, I swear I can make toast. Really.

Spinach, Artichoke and Chicken Penne
Recipe courtesy of Rachael Ray

1 pound penne rigate or whole wheat or whole grain penne rigate
3/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, 2 small pieces
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, finely chopped
3 to 4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
Black pepper
2 slightly rounded tablespoons flour
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup cream or whole milk
A few grates of nutmeg
1 cup grated Asiago or provolone cheese
1 10-ounce box chopped frozen spinach, defrosted, wrung dry and separated
1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts in water, drained well and chopped
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Bring a large pot of water to a boil for pasta. Salt water and cook pasta to al dente.

Meanwhile, poach chicken. Place chicken in small pan and add water to top of meat but do not cover completely. Add bay leaf and bring to a boil, reduce heat and gently simmer to cook through 10-12 minutes. Shred meat into small pieces with forks or dice into small pieces.

While chicken cooks heat EVOO in large, deep sauté pan over medium heat. Melt butter into oil and add onions and garlic, season with salt and pepper and cook 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle flour over cooked onions and garlic and stir 1 minute then whisk in white wine. Add stock and stir 1 minute then stir in cream and season with nutmeg. Thicken sauce a couple of minutes over low heat then stir in spinach and artichokes and heat through, melt Asiago or provolone cheese into sauce and turn off heat.

Drain pasta and toss with sauce and chicken to combine, adjust salt and pepper to your taste. Garnish with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Serves 4.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Project 365, Rachael Ray, Spinach Artichoke and Chicken Penne

Comments

  1. Sarah Caron says

    March 29, 2010 at 10:52 pm

    Mouth. Watering. That’s going on the menu next week. YUM!

    Reply
  2. Joanne says

    March 30, 2010 at 6:11 am

    I am a HUGE spinach and artichoke dip fan. This sounds like heaven on a plate. Have you ever been to Artichoke Pizza in the city? It’s around Union Square and they sell two types of pizza. Margherita pizza and artichoke pizza. The artichoke pizza is basically pizza with spinach and artichoke dip on top. It’s kind of disgusting but also kind of amazing. Definitely worth having a bite or two of. After that you might not be able to eat any more.

    Reply
  3. Ramona says

    March 30, 2010 at 10:22 am

    I burn bread in the oven too. It’s gotten to be a personal joke around the house.

    That’s why I LUV my pop up toaster. Don’t have to watch it for my morning toast!

    Reply
  4. Debbie says

    March 30, 2010 at 3:24 pm

    Exactly my type of dish. I would love this!

    Reply
  5. joanne says

    March 30, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    oh, my goddess!! this looks so good! i will be making this ASAP!!!!

    Reply
  6. Jaimie says

    March 30, 2010 at 5:52 pm

    This looks amazing! I am obsessed with spinach artichoke dip, but I also know few people in real life that appreciate a good one!

    Reply
  7. Shannon says

    March 30, 2010 at 9:34 pm

    really, you know people who don’t like spinach artichoke dip?? crazy! this sounds like a fabulous way to eat more of it :)

    Reply
  8. Madeline says

    April 1, 2010 at 10:48 pm

    I made this for a friend with a newborn and her husband says he’s addicted to it!

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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