Hospitality Outside the Home

I'm sorry -- I had some technical difficulties today, and am just now able to post!

Today, I'm guest-posting at Reluctant Entertainer about Drop and Run Meals -- in other words: sharing hospitality outside the home. In that post, I mentioned two different meals, and wanted to share one of the recipes today.

Pop on over to Sandy's place and see what I wrote about, then come back and write these recipes down for the next time you need a meal idea to take to some one's home. They are very tasty and very simple to make -- even the least experienced in the kitchen will be able to put these recipes together.

Basil Chicken Pasta "To Go"

1 package fresh pasta (found in the deli section)
3-4 chicken breasts, cut-up in strips (about the size of your thumb)
Olive Oil
1 stick butter
1 jar Alfredo sauce
1 cup frozen Sweet Peas
1 red pepper, chopped
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped finely
1 hand full of fresh basil
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 disposable foil pan with clear lid

In a pot of salted boiling water, cook the linguine per instructions. Drain and set aside.

In a large frying pan, add half of the butter and a couple tablespoons of olive oil. Season the strips of chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until brown. Strain on a paper towel and set aside.

Melt the rest of the butter. Add the onions and red peppers and cook until tender. Add the peas, chicken, garlic and basil and cook until peas are warmed through. Toss with the noodles, Alfredo sauce and Parmesan cheese. Toss well.

Place pasta and chicken in a metal foil disposable pan. Sprinkle top liberally with Parmesan cheese and cover with clear lid.

Options: You can add any of the following veggies: broccoli, asparagus tips, mushrooms, diced tomatoes, sliced zucchini or squash, brussels sprouts. You can use any veggie combos, the key is to cook them until tender in butter and/or olive oil. In this particular dish, the butter gives the veggies a richer flavor.

Substitutions: You can substitute the chicken for left over diced turkey or ham, or crab and/or peeled shrimp. Cook the crab and shrimp in hot butter with garlic.

ENJOY!