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Meatball Soup

Meatball Soup

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with Potatoes, Onions & Peas

Yield: 4 Servings

Adapted from: Bon Appétit

This meatball soup recipe packs beef stew like cozy flavors into a weeknight dinner that takes just one hour to make. Sautéing the beef meatballs until they’re browned all over helps develop the fond on the bottom of the pot, which is key to building flavor. Meanwhile, giving the panko breadcrumbs a quick soak once combined with the other meatball ingredients helps them retain moisture, ensuring juicy meatballs every time—even if you choose to use ground turkey or pork instead.

  • 1large egg
  • 4garlic cloves, finely grated
  • 1cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 4TBS extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1TBS thyme leaves
  • 3tsp Diamond Crystal or 1¾ tsp Morton kosher salt, divided (recipe assumes Morton)
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1lb ground beef
  • 1(packed) cup frozen, thawed pearl onions
  • 10oz mushrooms (any kind), torn into bite-size pieces
  • 2TBS double-concentrated tomato paste
  • 1TBS AP flour
  • ⅔cup dry red wine
  • 1lb Yukon Gold potatoes (about 4 medium), peeled, cut into 1″ pieces
  • 4cups low-sodium beef broth
  • ½cup frozen peas
  • Country-style bread (for serving; optional)


Marinate:

Combine egg, 4 garlic cloves, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 TBS olive oil, 1 TBS thyme leaves, 1 tsp kosher salt, and ¼ cup water in a medium bowl, season with freshly ground pepper and mix well. Let sit 5 minutes to hydrate.

Add 1lb ground beef to bowl and gently mix until combined.

Meatballs:

Divide and roll meat mixture into ping-pong-size balls (you should have about 20 total).

Heat remaining 2 TBS olive oil over medium-high in a Dutch oven or other large, heavy pot. Cook meatballs, shaking pot to turn meatballs every few minutes, until browned all over, 6–8 minutes. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer meatballs to a plate.

Soup:

Cook 1 cup (packed) frozen, thawed pearl onions and ¼ tsp kosher salt in same pot, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add 10 oz mushrooms (any kind), torn into bite-size pieces, and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add 2 TBS tomato paste and cook, stirring often, until mushrooms are coated, and tomato paste is slightly darkened in color, about 1 minute. Evenly sprinkle 1 TBS AP flour over and cook, stirring constantly, until mushrooms are coated, about 1 minute.

Pour ²⁄₃ cup dry red wine into pot and cook, scraping up browned bits stuck to bottom of pot, until almost completely evaporated, 1–2 minutes. Stir in 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes (about 4 medium), peeled, cut into 1″ pieces, then add meatballs, 4 cups beef broth, and remaining ½ tsp kosher salt, season with pepper. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover pot, and simmer soup, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are fork-tender, 15–20 minutes.

Remove lid and stir in ½ cup frozen peas, continue to simmer until liquid is reduced just slightly, about 5 minutes.

Ladle soup into bowls and serve with country-style bread if desired.

Crab Stuffed Salmon

Crab Stuffed Salmon

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Yield: 2

Adapted from: https://www.cookedbyjulie.com/crab-stuffed-salmon/#recipe

This classic Crab Stuffed Salmon recipe is straightforward and simple. It uses minimal spices and has the sweetness of crab to bring out the flavors of the salmon. The mayo and cream cheese give it a silky texture to prevent it from drying out. Excellent with a side of Parsleyed Potatoes and Green Beans.

😐 The crab is good, but detracts from the salmon. $24 for a small package of lump crab is a complete waste in this dish. The stuffing without the crab would be fine on the salmon. Make crab cakes with the lump crab, neither needs the other.

  • 1lb salmon
  • 1lb lump crab
  • 1TBS mayonnaise
  • 1TBS cream cheese
  • 2tsp grain mustard
  • ½TBS old bay seasoning
  • ½lemon
  • 1egg
  • 1green onion
  • 1TBS parsley
  • ¼cup breadcrumbs
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Parmesan cheese to taste
  • pinch of paprika
  • pinch of oregano

Adjust oven rack to top shelf. Preheat oven to 425°F.

Prep: Peel and slice the potatoes. Trim beans.

Cook Potatoes:

In a medium pan, add potatoes and cover with 1-inch of water. Add 1 tsp salt and bring to a boil. Cook until tender, 10-14 minutes.

Drain, add 2 TBS butter and mix gently to coat potatoes. Add 2 TBS parsley, mix, cover and set aside off heat.

Make Stuffing:

Beat together the egg, mayonnaise, cream cheese, grain mustard, lemon juice, old bay seasoning, and breadcrumbs.

Fold in the green onions, parsley, and lump crab meat gently, cover and chill for about an hour.

Prep and Cook Salmon:

Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper and slice salmon filet lengthwise down the center to create space for stuffing.

Stuff Salmon with crab-meat filling and then place on a lightly greased baking sheet.

Grate some fresh Parmesan cheese on top of the crab-meat filling, sprinkle a little oregano and paprika, then place in the oven for about 16 minutes or until fully cooked through.

Serve:

Divide salmon, potatoes and vegetable between plates.

Side dish suggestions:

Vegetables Starches
Green Beans Steamed Parsleyed Potatoes
Asparagus Couscous
Broccoli Baked Potato
Noodles
Pork Penne with Oranges & Walnuts

Pork Penne with Oranges & Walnuts

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Yield: 4 Servings

Adapted from: Cuisine at Home

Pork and orange might sound like an unlikely combination in a pasta dish, but the savory flavor and bursts of fresh orange really intrigue the taste buds in this easy weeknight dinner recipe.

Pasta:

  • 8oz penne

Pork & mushrooms:

  • 6TBS olive oil, divided
  • 12oz pork tenderloin, trimmed, cubed, and seasoned with salt and black pepper
  • 8oz sliced cremini mushrooms
  • ¾cup sliced red onion
  • 1TBS minced fresh garlic

Dressing:

  • ¼cup each fresh lemon and orange juice
  • 1tsp minced orange zest
  • 1cup fresh orange segments
  • ½cup chopped fresh parsley
  • ½cup chopped walnuts, toasted
  • shaved Parmesan (optional)

Pasta:

Cook penne in a pot of boiling salted water according to package directions; drain.

Heat 1 TBS oil in a sauté pan over medium-high.

Pork:

Add pork and sauté until browned and reaches 140, 5–6 minutes, transfer to a plate.

Mushrooms:

Heat 1 TBS oil in the same pan.

Add mushrooms and onion and sauté until mushrooms release their moisture and onion softens, 7–9 minutes.

Add garlic; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Finish:

Return and stir in pork and penne to heat through.

Whisk together remaining 4 TBS oil, lemon juice, orange juice, and zest; season with salt and pepper.

Toss dressing with penne mixture; stir in oranges, parsley, and walnuts.

Top servings with Parmesan.

Skillet Chicken Thighs

Skillet Chicken Thighs

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with Potatoes, Carrots, and Greens

Yield: 2 Servings

Simply Recipes

This bistro-style crispy chicken is braised with carrots, potatoes, and, for good measure, greens in a mustard and lemon seasoned chicken broth. It all comes together easily in a skillet and adds up to a satisfying, flavorful meal.

  • 4bone-in, skin-on, chicken thighs (24 oz)
  • ¼tsp salt
  • ⅛tsp pepper
  • 1TBS olive oil
  • 12oz Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 6oz baby carrots
  • 2whole, unpeeled cloves garlic, smashed with the flat of a knife to break the skin
  • ½bunch Swiss chard
  • 1cups chicken stock
  • ½TBS Dijon mustard
  • finely grated zest of ½ lemon
  • ¼tsp dried thyme
  • lemon juice
  • ¼cup chopped parsley

Preheat the oven to 400˚F.

Trim and season the chicken thighs: With scissors or a sharp knife, cut off excess flaps of skin and fat from the thighs. Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides.

Prep the chard stalks and leaves: Tear or cut the stalks from the leaves. Cut the stalks into 1-inch pieces. Slice the leaves into 2-inch-wide strips. Keep the stalks and leaves separate.

Brown the chicken and par-cook the potatoes and carrots: In a large (12- to 13-inch) ovenproof skillet (NOT cast iron) set over medium-high heat, add the oil. Once the oil shimmers, add the chicken with the skin side down. Cook on the skin side only for about 5 minutes without disturbing it, or until the skin lightly browns.

Transfer to a plate. (If the chicken doesn’t fit in one skillet, cook in batches, or use two smaller skillets and divide the ingredients between them.)

Add the potatoes and carrots to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, or until they brown lightly.

Prep the braising liquid: In a bowl or measuring cup, whisk the chicken stock, mustard, and lemon zest to combine.

Braise the chicken: Add the chard stalks, smashed garlic and braising liquid to the skillet with the vegetables. Set the chicken pieces on top and sprinkle with the thyme.

Transfer to the oven: Transfer the pan to the oven. Roast, uncovered, for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Remove the pan from the oven.

Add the chard leaves: Transfer the chicken thighs to a plate. Taste the broth and add more salt, if you like. Set the skillet over high heat and bring the liquid to a boil. Stir the chard leaves into the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or just until wilted. Remove the garlic cloves.

Serve: Set the chicken on top of the vegetables. Squeeze the lemon over the chicken and sprinkle with the parsley. Serve from the skillet, or transfer to a large serving platter. Serve as is, or with a salad.

Silky Sicilian Penne with Chicken

Silky Sicilian Penne with Chicken

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Mushrooms, Zucchini & Tomatoes

Yield: 2

Silky Penne with a rich mushroom stock, a lemony, chive-flecked crème fraîche sauce, zucchini, chicken and tomatoes, and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.
Prep: 5 Cook: 30

  • 1zucchini
  • ¼oz chives or scallions
  • 10oz chicken breast
  • 1TBS Italian seasoning
  • 3TBS Parmesan cheese
  • 4oz button mushrooms
  • 4oz grape tomatoes
  • 1lemon
  • 6oz penne pasta (or Cavatappi)
  • 1oz mushroom stock concentrate
  • 4TBS crème fraîche (or sour cream)
  • salt & pepper
  • 1TBS olive oil
  • 1tsp cooking oil
  • 1½TBS butter

Prep:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce.

Trim and quarter zucchini lengthwise, cut crosswise into ½-inch-thick pieces. Trim and thinly slice mushrooms. Halve tomatoes. Mince chives or scallions. Quarter lemon. Cut chicken into ¼-inch-thick bite sized slices.

Cook zucchini:

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden-brown and softened, 4- to 6-minutes.

Cook mushrooms:

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in pan used for zucchini over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden-brown and slightly crispy, 5- to 7-minutes.

Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl with zucchini. Wash out pan.

Cook chicken:

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in pan used for mushrooms over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden-brown and cooked through 5- to 7-minutes.

Turn off heat, season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl with mushrooms and zucchini. Wipe out pan.

Cook pasta:

Once water is boiling, add penne to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes.

Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain.

Make sauce: 

While penne cooks, heat ½ TBS butter and a drizzle of olive oil in pan used for chicken over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and season with 1 tsp Italian Seasoning, salt, and pepper.  Cook, stirring, until tomatoes are softened, 2- to 4-minutes.

Stir in half the chives and juice from half the lemon.

Reduce heat to low, then stir in stock concentrate and ¼ cup reserved pasta cooking water.

Whisk in crème fraîche, season with salt and pepper.

Finish & serve:

Add zucchini, mushrooms, chicken, and drained penne to pan with sauce, stir to combine. Stir in 1 TBS butter until melted.

Tip: If needed, stir in more pasta cooking water a splash at a time until pasta is coated in a creamy sauce.

Divide pasta between bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan and remaining chives. Serve with remaining lemon wedges on the side.

Shrimp & Broccoli with Brown Sauce

Shrimp & Broccoli with Brown Sauce

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Yield: 2 Servings

Wok of Life

Shrimp and Broccoli was one of the most often ordered dishes at Wok of Life’s family Chinese restaurant.

  • 12oz shrimp (21-25); peeled, deveined, and butterflied)
  • 10oz broccoli florets
  • ½cup low sodium chicken stock (warmed)
  • ¼tsp granulated sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 2tsp soy sauce
  • ½tsp dark soy sauce
  • 1TBS oyster sauce
  • ½tsp sesame oil
  • ⅛tsp white pepper
  • 2TBS canola oil
  • 2cloves garlic (chopped)
  • 1TBS Shaoxing wine
  • 1½TBS cornstarch (mixed with 2 TBS water)


Prep:

First, prepare the shrimp and broccoli. Next, in a medium pot, set 4 cups of water to a boil.

Premix sauce:

While that’s happening, mix the chicken stock, sugar, soy sauces, oyster sauce, sesame oil and white pepper and set aside.

Slurry:

Make a slurry by mixing 1½ TBS cornstarch with 2 TBS water in a small dish. Set aside.

Blanch:

Blanch the broccoli for 30 seconds. Remove and drain.

Let the water return to a boil and blanch the shrimp for 15 seconds. Remove and drain.

The shrimp will be about 60-70% cooked.

Stir-fry:

Heat the wok over high heat. Pour 2 TBS of cooking oil around the perimeter of the wok, stir in the garlic, and add the Shaoxing wine. Next, add the chicken stock mixture. Bring the sauce up to a boil and add the shrimp and broccoli back to the wok.

Once everything comes to a boil, drizzle in the cornstarch slurry until the sauce thickens and starts to cling to the shrimp and broccoli. There should not be any standing sauce, although you can adjust this depending on your personal preference.

Serve with steamed white rice!

Mustard Apricot Pork Tenderloin

Mustard Apricot Pork Tenderloin

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with Parmesan Potatoes & Roasted Green Beans

Yield: 2 Servings

Pork Tenderloin with a saucy coating that includes Dijon, apricot jam, and rich chicken stock. Served with sides of crispy Parmesan potatoes and tender roasted green beans.
Prep: 10 Cook: 40

  • 10oz pork tenderloin
  • 1TBS fry seasoning (see below)
  • 12oz potatoes
  • 2TBS apricot jam
  • 4tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1tsp chicken stock concentrate
  • 3TBS parmesan cheese
  • 6oz green beans
  • 10tsp cooking oil
  • 1TBS butter

Prep:

Adjust racks to middle and top positions and preheat oven to 450°F. Wash and dry produce.

Slice potatoes into ¼-inch-thick rounds.

Pat pork dry with paper towels and season all over with half the Fry Seasoning (you’ll use the rest in the next step), salt, and pepper.

Roast potato clusters:

Lightly oil a baking sheet.

In a large bowl, combine potatoes, 2 TBS oil, remaining Fry Seasoning, and a couple big pinches of salt and pepper, toss until potatoes are completely coated. Arrange potatoes on prepared sheet in clusters (about 6 slightly overlapping slices each).

Roast on middle rack for 10 minutes.

Season beans & sear pork:

Meanwhile, toss green beans on a second baking sheet with a drizzle of oil, salt, and pepper, push to one side.

Heat a large drizzle of oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Add pork and sear, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 4- to 8-minutes.

Turn off heat. Transfer pork to empty side of sheet with green beans.

Roast green beans & pork:

Once potatoes have roasted 10 minutes, remove sheet from oven. Sprinkle each cluster with Parmesan. Return to middle rack.

Place sheet with green beans and pork on top rack.

Roast until cheese is lightly browned, potatoes and green beans are tender, and pork is cooked through, 10-12 minutes.

Make sauce:

Meanwhile, wipe out pan used for pork and return to medium-high heat. Once hot, pour in ¼ cup water, jam, mustard, and stock concentrate, whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook until thoroughly combined and thickened, 2- to 4-minutes.

Turn off heat. Stir in 1 TBS butter until melted. Season with salt and pepper.

Finish & serve:

Let pork rest 5 minutes after roasting, then slice crosswise.

Divide pork, Parmesan potatoes, and green beans between plates. Spoon mustard apricot sauce over pork and serve.

Fry Seasoning

  • 1tsp garlic powder
  • 1tsp onion powder
  • 1tsp paprika
Shrimp Tempura Bowls

Shrimp Tempura Bowls

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with Sesame-Roasted Broccoli & Quick Pickles

Yield: 2 Servings

Crispy tempura shrimp drizzled with Sriracha-spiced sauce, sesame-flecked broccoli, and quick-pickled cucumbers on topof steamy rice.
Prep: 10 min, Cook: 45 min

  • 1mini cucumber
  • 2TBS mayonnaise
  • 1tsp garlic powder
  • 1TBS sesame seeds
  • 5tsp white wine vinegar
  • 2scallions
  • 1oz apricot jam
  • 1tsp sriracha
  • ½cup white rice
  • 8oz broccoli florets
  • 10oz shrimp
  • 6oz tempura batter mix
  • salt & pepper
  • ½tsp sugar
  • 1tsp cooking oil plus more for frying
  • 2TBS butter

Pickle cucumber & prep:

Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 425°F. Wash and dry produce.

Trim, peel, and halve cucumber lengthwise, thinly slice cucumber crosswise into half-moons. In a small bowl, combine sliced cucumber, vinegar, ½ tsp sugar, and a pinch of salt. Set it aside.

Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens.

Make sauce & cook rice:

In a second small bowl, combine mayonnaise, jam, Sriracha, half the garlic powder, 1 tsp water, and a pinch of salt.

Melt 1 TBS butter in a small pot over medium-high heat. Add scallion whites, cook, stirring, until softened, 1 minute.

Add rice, ¾ cup water, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce to a low simmer. Cook until rice is tender, 15-18 minutes.

Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.

Roast broccoli:

While rice cooks, cut broccoli florets into 1-inch pieces if necessary. Toss on a baking sheet with a drizzle of oil, half the sesame seeds (save the rest for serving), salt, and pepper.

Roast on top rack until golden-brown and crispy, 15-20 minutes.

Carefully toss with half the scallion greens.

Mix batter & coat shrimp:

Meanwhile, rinse shrimp under cold water, pat very dry with paper towels. Season with salt.

In a large bowl, combine tempura mix, remaining garlic powder, 1⁄3 cup cold water, and ½ tsp salt.

Tip: If needed, add more water 1 TBS at a time until it reaches a pancake batter-like consistency.

Stir shrimp into batter until fully coated.

Cook shrimp:

Heat a ¼-inch layer of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium high heat.

Once oil is hot enough that a drop of batter sizzles when added to the pan, working in batches, add coated shrimp in a single layer. Cook until golden-brown and cooked through, 2- to 3-minutes on the first side and 1- to 2-minutes on the second side.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Immediately season with salt and pepper.

Finish & serve:

Fluff rice with a fork, stir in 1 TBS butter and season with salt and pepper.

Divide rice between bowls. Top with shrimp, quick pickles (draining first), and broccoli. Drizzle shrimp with sauce, sprinkle with remaining scallion greens and remaining sesame seeds. Serve.

Butter-Basted Chicken

Butter-Basted Chicken

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with Candied Bacon Brussels Sprouts & Roasted Potatoes

Yield: 2

Chicken cutlets with a rich pan sauce, roasted potatoes, and candied bacon Brussels sprouts. The “candied” here is brown sugar sprinkled over bacon, then baked to form a gorgeous, caramelized glaze. The dish is finished with a silky pan sauce made with garlic herb butter, rich demi-glace, and tangy sour cream. Served with tender potato rounds.
Prep: 10 Cook: 50

  • 2scallions
  • 4oz bacon
  • 2TBS garlic herb butter
  • 1tsp chili flakes
  • 8oz Brussels sprouts
  • 12oz potatoes
  • 2TBS brown sugar
  • 10oz chicken cutlets
  • 1oz chicken demi-glace
  • 3TBS sour cream
  • salt & pepper
  • 4tsp cooking oil

Prep:

Adjust racks to top and middle positions and place a foil-lined baking sheet on middle rack. Preheat oven to 400°F. Wash and dry produce.

Trim and halve Brussels sprouts lengthwise. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens.

Roast potatoes:

Slice potatoes into ¼-inch-thick rounds (no need to peel). Toss on a second baking sheet with a drizzle of oil, salt, and pepper.

Arrange potatoes in a single layer, roast on top rack until browned and tender, 20-25 minutes.

Roast sprouts & bacon:

Meanwhile, carefully toss Brussels sprouts on one side of prepared half sheet pan with a drizzle of oil, salt, and pepper, arrange cut sides down.

Lay a quarter sheet rack on one side of the half sheet pan and add bacon to the rack in a single layer.

Roast on middle rack for 10 minutes, then remove from oven. Carefully sprinkle bacon with brown sugar.

Return to oven until bacon is crispy and Brussels sprouts are tender, 10-15 minutes more.

Tip: Keep a close eye on the brown sugar to avoid burning! Reduce oven temperature to 375°F if necessary.

Cook chicken:

While bacon glazes, pat chicken dry with paper towels, season all over with salt and pepper.

Heat a large drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, 3- to 5-minutes per side.

During the last 2 minutes of cooking, reduce heat to low and add garlic herb butter, spoon over chicken until coated.

Turn off heat. Leaving butter in pan, transfer chicken to a cutting board.

Make pan sauce:

Add scallion whites to pan with reserved garlic herb butter. Cook over low heat until softened, 1- to 2-minutes.

Stir in demi-glace, ¼ cup water, and any resting juices from chicken. Simmer until slightly thickened, 1- to 2-minutes.

Turn off heat, stir in sour cream until combined.

Finish & serve:

Slice chicken crosswise.

Chop bacon into small pieces.

Divide potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and chicken between plates.

Top chicken with pan sauce and scallion greens.

Garnish Brussels sprouts with bacon and serve.

Offer chili flakes at the table for those that like a kick in the sprouts.

Creamy Aglio E Olio Chicken Pasta

Creamy Aglio E Olio Chicken Pasta

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Yield: 2 Servings

Spaghetti aglio e olio translates to “spaghetti with garlic and oil”. This traditional dish from Naples turns a few classic ingredients into something spectacular. Fresh tomato, parsley, and chili flakes in a simple cream sauce. Italian-seasoned chicken is served over the top.
Prep: 10 Cook: 35

  • ¼oz parsley
  • 10oz chicken cutlets
  • 1tsp chili flakes
  • 1tomato
  • 4cloves garlic
  • 6oz spaghetti
  • 1TBS Italian seasoning
  • 4oz cream sauce base
  • 1tsp cooking oil
  • 2tsp olive oil
  • ½TBS butter

Prep:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce.

Finely dice tomato. Peel and thinly slice garlic. Pick parsley leaves from stems, roughly chop leaves.

Cook chicken:

Pat chicken dry with paper towels, season all over with half the Italian Seasoning, ¼ tsp salt, and pepper.

Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, 3- to 5-minutes per side.

Tip: If chicken starts to brown too quickly, lower heat to medium and cover pan with lid after flipping chicken.

Turn off heat, transfer to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm. Wipe out pan.

Cook pasta:

Once water is boiling, add spaghetti to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water, then drain pasta.

Make sauce:

Heat a large drizzle of olive oil in pan used for chicken over medium-low heat. Add tomato, garlic, and chili flakes to taste (½ tsp, add a pinch more if you like things spicy), and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, 2- to 3-minutes.

Stir in cream sauce base and ¼ cup reserved pasta cooking water. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Finish pasta:

Stir drained spaghetti, parsley, and ½ TBS butter into pan with sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.

Tip: If needed, stir in more reserved cooking water a splash at a time until pasta is coated in a creamy sauce.

Serve:

Thinly slice chicken crosswise.

Divide pasta between bowls, top with chicken and serve.