The OHMIGAWD Meal

First, since this blog is all about honesty, I have a confession. 

I intended to make a penne pasta with chicken and spinach in a garlic cream sauce. 

Except, I forgot to thaw the spinach. 

And if that wasn't bad enough, I quickly discovered that the heavy cream that I had just bought was sour

(and by just bought, I mean I bought it on Sunday.)

And yes, the expiration date was well into August. Harumph! 

So two ingredients down, and I'm in a pinch. 

I did something I rarely do. I experimented. 

Much to my surprise IT WORKED. oh yeah momma! 

Technically it's a penne pasta with chicken in a tomato-cream(y) sauce. 

I was so surprised, I immediately said OHMIGAWD it's sooo good.

And had to share it with you.

So here's how it all happened. 

The suspects: 

Seasoned chicken breasts (salt, pepper and a little oregano) cooked on the stove in a little olive oil

In another pan, I started a roux - 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup flour

And pasta boiling on the stove

 

not an exciting picture, but I really wanted to show off the backsplash again! (sorry)

Look at the color on these babies! 

is calling chicken breasts "babies" ok? 

I kinda felt dirty there for a second... hmm

 

When the chicken cooked through, I set them aside. 

I added a good 3 tablespoons of crushed garlic and a 1/2 cup of chicken broth to deglaze the pan

I also added a chicken boullion cube for a little more flavor

Meanwhile, I whisked in some chicken broth into the roux, to build that part of the sauce

And added some tomato sauce to my garlic/chicken broth base.

And then...

are you ready for this? 

are you sure? 

really sure?

Ok. here it is. 

I combined the two sauces. 

and whisked them together

looks a bit like a vodka sauce eh? 

while those two sauces simmered and became one, I cubed the chicken

This is the really elegant part. Are you ready? 

are you sure? 

OK! 

I threw the chicken and pasta into the sauce. 

and added ricotta cheese.

MIND BLOWING, right?? 

I introduced all the ingredients to each other

You'll never believe what I did next. 

Go on, guess. 

Nope. 

Nuh unh. 

That's not it either.

Want me to tell you? 

ok, here goes..

I topped it with cheese. 

you didn't see that one coming, did you? 

I baked it for about 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven to let everything melt together, and 

OHMIGAWD!!

It was so good, I said it twice.
OHMIGAWD!! 

Tomorrow: leftovers report!

It's a new day in the kitchen! 

~Allie