Engagement Dinner

Yes ladies and gentleman, I'm engaged!  And the meal my man whipped up before the proposal couldn't have been tastier.  Not to mention it was eaten by candlelight in a VW bus surrounded by mountains and water.  You can read about the proposal here. 

He prepared this on a camp stove outside, but I'm sure it's even quicker and easier on a kitchen stovetop!  Here is what you'll need for this tasty Italian dish:

Fettuccine
1 large chicken breast or 2 small chicken breasts, cubed
1/2 onion
5 mushrooms thickly sliced
1/2 cup artichoke hearts
2 Tbsp sun dried tomatoes
1 tomato chopped
1-2 Tbsp capers
2 garlic cloves minced
1 lemon
Olive oil

While pasta is boiling, pan fry cubed chicken.  In another pan saute onions, garlic and mushrooms.  Add sun dried tomatoes, capers, and artichoke hearts (with a couple of tablespoons of the artichoke juice) and mix well.  Add the chicken to the vegetable mix until chicken is coated.  Spoon over fettuccine and drizzle olive oil and lemon juice on top!

Light the candles, enjoy the view and bon appetit!

Oh Yeah....I'm getting married!  Woohooo!

Spaghetti Squash and Vodka Sauce

I discovered spaghetti squash a couple of years ago--it's awesome.  I just love the fact that I can eat a huge bowl of this stuff and not feel like I need to run a marathon the next day to work it off! This can be used just like spaghetti minus all the carbs.  It's chock full of nutrients and only about 75 calories per 8 oz serving.  Oh yea...you can definitely help yourself to seconds!  This a super simple recipe which you can modify and add all sorts of your favorite goodies.  Here are the basics of what you'll need.

This serves 3
1/2 spaghetti squash
Jar of marinara or vodka sauce
6 or 7 mushrooms
1-2 tbsp of sliced sun dried tomato (optional)
5-6 quarters of artichoke hearts (optional)
Other great additions:  spinach or onions

Instructions:
Cut the squash in half and scrape out the seeds.

Once you've scraped out the center, fill a tupperware about 1/4 of the way full with water.  Place the squash flat side down.

Heat on high in the microwave for about 10-12 minutes.  

While the squash is in the microwave, grease a pan with olive oil and toss in sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts and mushrooms.  (I was originally just going to sautee mushrooms until I found a jar of sun dried tomatoes and artichokes in the back of my fridge...woohoo!)  

 Once the squash is done, drain the water and scrape the insides with a fork to form spaghetti like noodles.

 Add the squash to the pan, mix everything well and then add your favorite sauce!

ENJOY!!