Inspiration Station

Yesterday was a little grey here and I hate grey weather so I just couldn't find any inspiration to blog yesterday.  Today, it's sunny and inspiration is back! 

 Oh, and if anyone out there actually reads this thing, 
please say hi!  

Being a newlywed means I try to be a good housewife and cook dinner a couple of times a week.  I used to enjoy cooking so much but when it's a must, it kind of loses its fun, doesn't it?  The only thing that keeps me cooking and enjoying it is discovering new recipes.  


And since the man of the house is a sweetheart and cleans my giant messes that I make in the kitchen, it makes cooking dinner a little more bearable!

Introducing.............. 

Dinner Inspiration!  Don't lie, you all need inspiration.

Our sweet friends, Sean & Leah recently visited Jamaica (lucky them) and brought us back this yummy Jerk Seasoning.  

So I made a few tweaks to a Bahama Breeze Jerk Chicken Pasta recipe I found.  It really was pretty easy, and incredible delicious.

1/4 a cup of butter (maybe a littttttle too much)

2 minced garlic cloves, a few spoonfuls of jerk seasoning & chicken

Mix some half and half, chicken broth, cornstarch, 

oregano, parsley, and salt and pepper.

Steam some asparagus for 6 minutes.

The husband chopped up some tomatoes.

Cooked some bow tie pasta....and here's my tip of the day: 

Put a wooden spoon over the pot to keep it from boiling over.

Keep stirring the sauce until it becomes thick.

I added some parmesan cheese because

I thought it might add some flavor.

Mix asparagus, tomatoes, chicken, and noodles in the pot.  

Oh my yummy.

Jerk Chicken Pasta

3 chicken breasts thawed and cut into strips

1/4 cup butter

3 garlic cloves, crushed

A few spoonfuls of Jerk Seasoning

1 cup half-and-half

½ cup chicken broth

2 teaspoon cornstarch (add more if necessary)

1 teaspoon oregano

1/4 cup of parmesan cheese 

bunch of asparagus cut into 1 inch pieces

1 tomato

3 tablespoons parsley , crushed

1 tsp salt 

1/4 tsp pepper

Box of bow tie pasta

Directions:

·        Melt butter in skillet over medium/low heat and add garlic and jerk seasoning.  When garlic becomes fragrant, add chicken (cut into small strips).  Increase heat.

·        Cook until chicken is cooked to preferred tenderness.  Remove chicken from pan and set aside.

·        In a separate deep pan, fill pan 1/3 full of water.  Place a drainer on top of the pan, add asparagus (cut into 1 inch pieces).  Cover. Steam for 5-10 minutes.  

·        In a separate pan, cook bow tie pasta according to the package direction.  Set aside.

·        In a pan stir together half and half, chicken broth, and corn starch and space.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, then simmer for 3 minutes (or until thick), constantly stirring.  

·        Stir in the asparagus, tomatoes, and chicken for 3-5 minutes to heat through and allow flavors to blend.  Add pasta and stir to heat through.  Serve.