Mushroom Pasta with Bacon

Mushroom and Bacon Pasta

(Adapted and pic courtesy of The PW)

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
3 slices Thin Bacon, Cut Into 1/2-inch Pieces
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 package (10 Ounce) White Button Mushrooms diced
1 cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth
1 cup Half-and-half
¼ cups Heavy Whipping Cream
3 whole Green Onions, White And Light Green Parts Sliced
¼ cups Flat-leaf Parsley, Minced
½ cups Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
Salt To Taste
Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
1 pound Angel Hair Pasta
Extra Parmesan, For Sprinkling

Preparation Instructions
Cook pasta according to package directions.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add bacon pieces and cook until light brown but not crisp. Remove bacon from pan and set aside. Do not clean pan.

Add mushrooms and garlic to pan. Toss/stir around and cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes; increase heat to high if needed to help mushrooms begin to turn golden brown.
Pour in chicken broth. Stir, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any bits. Cook over medium-high heat for several minutes, or until the liquid is reduced by half.

Reduce heat and pour in half and half and cream. Stir and allow to bubble and thicken for a couple of minutes. Add sliced green onions and parsley, then cook for one more minute. Finally, add Parmesan and stir, allowing cheese to melt and incorporate into the sauce. Turn off heat.
Add cooked pasta to a large bowl. Add half the sauce from the pan. Toss with tongs. ***Add 1/2 cup hot pasta water at this point if the pasta mixture is too thick and gunky. Toss and add more water until it reaches the consistency you need.***
Serve pasta in individual bowls, topping each helping with the rest of the sauce. Sprinkle with extra parsley and extra Parmesan.
Enjoy!

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

It's M-Mmm-good!! My sweet husband made this for me when I was down and sick the other day. I swear it was the one thing that made me feel so much better. I love to serve this with my buttermilk bread.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup


2 quarts quality chicken broth
1 quart water
1 store-bought salt and peppered roast chicken
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onions, cut into medium dice
2 large carrots, peeled and cut into rounds or half rounds, depending on size
2 large stalks celery, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
2 small bay leaves
3 cups egg noodles
Chopped italian parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

Bring broth and water to a simmer over medium-high heat in a large soup kettle. Meanwhile, separate chicken meat from skin and bones; reserve meat. Throw skin away or give it to a furry friend as a special treat! Add bones to the simmering broth. Add thyme and bay leaves. Reduce heat to low, partially cover and simmer until bones release their flavor, 20 to 30 minutes.

Strain broth through a colander into a large container; reserve broth and discard leaves and bones. Return kettle to burner set on medium-high.

Add oil, then onions, carrots and celery. Saute until soft, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add chicken and broth. Bring to a simmer. Add egg noodles and parsley and cook until tender. Salt and pepper to taste.

Fresh Sweet Corn and Avocado Salsa

This fresh and colorful salsa is perfect as a dip or I also love to serve it over my cilantro lime baked chicken. Yum!
photo courtesy of The Pioneer Woman

Fresh Sweet Corn and Avocado Salsa


4 ears Sweet Corn
½ whole Red Onion, Diced
2 whole Very Firm Avocados, Diced
½ whole Jalapeno, Seeded And Finely Diced
½ whole Hot Chili Pepper, Seeded And Finely Diced
1 whole Juice Of Lime
Plenty Of Chopped Cilantro
Salt To Taste
1 Tablespoon Vinegar
1 teaspoon Sugar


Slice kernels off the corn, and combine it with all remaining ingredients in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate before serving