Se’intariana. How often does it happen that you walk into a grocery store with intention and purpose yet you end up leaving with something completely random, what you didn’t leave home for?
Something so random you aren’t even sure when you will use it or what you will use it for. Do you even have supporting ingredients to turn it into a meal come the time? This happens to me more often than not. Besides, my love for cooking up creative dishes as much as possible, food can take you on a journey, make you nostalgic and have you wanting to go back in time. This is what occurs when I stand in front of an isle in the store distracted from planned shopping, something will jump out at me and I will be forced to answer 101 questions. Do I need it? Can I afford it right now? What am I even going to make? Just a couple of days ago, I went into the store with a very tight budget (I manage this by taking a only a certain amount of cash with me) as a form of self governance as it makes it harder to stray from the plan, lol.)
Anyway, I was almost done and about to head for the tills when a jar of Pesto caught my eye. How much is it? Do I have enough money for one more item, what am I going to make with it? I asked myself. Pesto is amazing in a well built sandwich (Panini/Ciabatta). But is that really want I want? Bathong!!! Questions, questions. Pasta! Yes! In that moment I decided we will have a delicious pesto chicken pasta with penne (this is a variety of pasta and there are many different types in various shapes and lengths). I have come across numerous pesto pasta dishes but have never made one. So this would be an exciting challenge. I am still so bad with taking a bag to the shop when shopping, every time the cashier asks if I would like a bag I am quick to weigh if I can’t carry my shopping in my hands because some of these bags are SO expensive. I was with Shalo so he became my extra pair of hands. I tossed the Pesto in my handbag and we carried the other small items. Can you believe I forgot the pesto in my bag and realised 24hrs later? Just as well, I didn’t have a solid plan. I needed to get the other ingredients for the dish.
I also started feeling a little apprehensive to try this new dish as I feared it’d be compared to the tomato pesto pasta I made for table talk a few weeks ago. That was one of the BEST pasta dishes I have ever had. It being too late to turn back and all, I proceeded ahead with caution. Kids will be kids, their initial comments were those of shock because the food was green. I wondered, slightly irritably, if they would eat, as once in a while like any child, they can opt out feeling like moms asking too much of them. They questioned the hue of food on their plates a few more times before giving in and taking a bite. They ate and what a happy mom I was. When you are cooking with love and all that effort is made only for your food not to be met with excitement and instant raving reviews, it can be super demoralising. Chicken Pesto Pasta is full of flavour packed chicken and tender pasta in a creamy, pesto sauce. It’s quick and easy, coming together in under 30 minutes. Pesto sauce is traditionally made with fresh basil, olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese. A big congratulations to our August Bull Brand Minced Meals #ICanWin competition winners. Welcome to September!!
INGREDIENTS 4 chicken breast cut into bite-sized chunks Salt and pepper to taste 2 tbls Nutriday plain yoghurt Hinds parsley 4 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 cup chicken stock 2 cup cream 1.5 cup parmesan 1.5 cup basil pesto or more, to taste Fresh basil for garnish (Optional ) INSTRUCTIONS Boil pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Heat a large pan over medium heat oil, then add minced garlic, Hinds Parsley and diced chicken breast. Season with salt and pepper and cook until chicken is no longer pink, stirring chicken a couple of times to brown on all sides. Transfer chicken to a plate and discard any liquid in the pan. Return pan to the stove over medium heat and melt butter. Whisk in the flour and cook until golden, about three minutes. Whisk in chicken broth Nutriday plain yoghurt and cream and bring to a boil. If it begins to boil too rapidly, turn the heat down, allow to simmer for about five minutes or until the sauce has reduced and thickened. Remove from heat and stir in pesto and parmesan. Add the pasta and chicken and stir well to coat. Garnish with fresh chopped basil. Bona appetite! Lol.
