Penne Gorgonzola with Chicken

PENNE GORGONZOLA with CHICKEN

1 package (16oz) penne pasta
1 lb chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 Tblsp olive oil
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup white wine
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 cups (8oz) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
6 to 8 fresh sage leaves, thinly sliced
salt and pepper to taste
grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and minced fresh parsley

• Cook pasta according to package directions. 
• In a large skillet, over medium heat, brown chicken in oil on all sides. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add wine, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan.
• Add cream and broth; cook until sauce is slightly thickened and chicken is no longer pink. 
• Still in Gorgonzola cheese, sage, salt and pepper; cook just until cheese is melted.
• Drain pasta; toss with sauce.
• Sprinkle with Parm-Reggiano cheese and parsley

Guilty Pleasures: Quick Eggnog Pie

I was given the pleasure to review a wonderful cookbook called "Guilty Pleasures" by Gwen McKee and Barbara Mosely. I was like "ohhh time to bring out the fat pants"! There are so many fantastic recipes ranging from cakes to pies to breakfast sweets and anything in between for any occasion that you might want to have a sweet. Recipes are well written, easy to follow and you know that when you make one of them in the book, that it has been perfected.

I choose an easier recipe to start out. This pie has a very rich flavor, absolutely amazing. However, if you don't like eggnog, you will NOT like this pie. I used rum instead of vanilla flavoring and it added another level of flavor, almost a kick. A small piece was definitely enough!

QUICK EGGNOG PIE

1 envelope unflavored gelatin
3 tblsp cold water
2 cups commercially prepared eggnog
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla or rum flavoring [I used rum!]
1 (9-inch) graham cracker pie shell
Nutmeg for garnish

• Soften gelatin in cold water. 
• Warm eggnog over direct low heat. Stir in softened gelatin, and continue heating until completely dissolved. Chill until partially set, then beat until smooth.
• Into stiffly whipped cream, beat sugar, salt and flavoring. 
• Fold into eggnog mixture. Pour into pie shell. 
• Chill 2-4 hours. Garnish with nutmeg. Serves 8.

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Slow-Cooker Creamy Chicken w/ Biscuits

SLOW-COOKER CREAMY CHICKEN w/ BISCUITS

6-7 medium carrots, cut into 1-in pieces
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 cup flour
1-1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 8)
1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
kosher salt and black pepper
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chicken broth
6 biscuits, split [recipe below]
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup heavy cream

• In a 4 to 6-qt slow cooker, toss together the carrots, celery, onion and flour. Place the chicken on top and season with the poultry seasoning, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Add the wine and broth. Cover and cook until the chicken and veggies are tender, on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 2-1/2 to 3 hours.
• Thirty minutes before serving, prepare the Easy Drop Biscuits (if using).
• Ten minutes before serving, add the peas, cream and 1/2 tsp salt to the chicken and stir to combine. Cover and cook until heated through, 5-10 minutes more.
• To serve, place the bottom halves of the biscuits in shallow bowls, then top with the chicken minture and the remaining biscuit halves.

EASY DROP BISCUITS
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 Tblsp baking powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1 cup whole milk

• Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
• In food processor, combine the flour, butter, baking powder and salt. Pulse until pea-size clumps form. Add the milk and pulse just until moistened.
• Drop 6 large mounds of the dough onto a baking sheet. Bake until golden, 18 to 20 minutes.

recipe directly from Real Simple "Easy, Delicious Home Cooking" magazine, Fall 2012/Winter 2013