Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Broccoli & Cream Sauce

Yield: 4 Servings

Scott Nowell

Circa 1994: Another church potluck meal. It makes a nice, simple family meal. Either the broccoli or the sun-dried tomato can be eliminated or increased as desired. (hint: double the tomatoes)

Use your imagination on the type of pasta and protein, shrimp, pork, beef. Just about anything will work.

Chicken:

• 1TBS oil
• 1lb boneless chicken breasts
• salt & pepper
• 1tsp Italian seasoning

Pasta:

• 8oz Rotini, Penne, etc.

Vegetables:

• 8oz broccoli, small florets
• ½cup sun-dried tomatoes oil reserved, sliced
• 2TBS oil from sun-dried tomatoes
• 2TBS pine nuts, toasted (Optional)

Cream sauce:

• 1cup heavy cream
• 1tsp dried basil
• salt & pepper

For serving:

• ¼cup Parmesan cheese shredded
• ½oz Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped fine

Broccoli and pasta:

Bring one gallon of water to boil in a large pot. Add 1 TBS salt and broccoli. Cook for until starting to soften (about 2 minutes), remove to a bowl of ice water with a spider.

Return water to a boil and add pasta. Cook until just al dente, a minute or two less than manufacturer’s directions. Reserve a cup of the starchy water, then drain and set pasta aside.

Chicken breasts:

While the pasta is cooking, season chicken with salt and pepper and a good sprinkle of Italian seasoning.

Heat oil until hot in large sauté pan. Add chicken breasts and brown on both sides for 2-3 minutes until nicely browned. Remove chicken from pan and set aside. Wipe out and set pan aside, it will be used later. Slice each chicken breast on an angle in 3 – 6 slices. Chicken will finish cooking later.

Assembly:

Return pasta pot to heat, add cream, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 2 to 3 minutes until reduced and thickened slightly.

Add tomatoes and basil, stir. Return sliced chicken breasts to pan and simmer until cooked through 2 to 3 minutes.

Return pasta to pot. Add toasted pine nuts, is using. Mix. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Transfer to a serving dish and top with Parmesan cheese and parsley.