Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

1/2 of a 16 oz pkg linguine or your choice of pasta
1 cup fresh or frozen broccoli florets
2 Tbs butter
1 lb boneless skinless chicken, cut into pieces
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup of milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Directions

Heat butter in skillet on medium heat. Add chicken and cook until well browned, stirring often.

Meanwhile prepare pasta according to package. Add broccoli during last 4 minutes of pasta cooking time. Drain Pasta and broccoli well.

Stir soup, milk, Parmesan, pepper, pasta and broccoli into skillet. Cook until mixture is hot and bubbling.

Serve with additional Parmesan.

sidenote: my family loved this. I think the kids even ate a little broccoli without realizing! {not all of course, but some!}

Dad's Waffles

 1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbs sugar
2 Tbs oil
1 cup milk
1 egg separated
1 tsp vanilla

Directions

Leaving out the egg, mix together all ingredients in a large bowl.

Using separate glass or metal bowl(avoid plastic bowls as they often contain residues of oil and would compromise your efforts) Separate the yolk. Use the hand method by cracking the egg and balancing the yolk between the shells while releasing the whites. Add yolks to batter. Add a pinch of salt to the whites and start beating. Always use an electric mixer. The salt aids in the stability of the foam as it reacts with the proteins and makes them more firm.

The egg whites are done when you can cut through them with a knife and a line remains or when removing the mixer perky peaks should appear.

Fold whites into batter about 20 times. Do not over mix!

Check waffle iron to be sure it is hot.

Using a measuring cup pour batter into HOT waffle iron.

Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

1 pint heavy cream
1 stick REAL butter {not margarine}
2 Tbs cream cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan
1-2 cloves garlic {1 big or 2 small} crushed, pressed or finely chopped
salt and pepper

Directions:

Melt the butter slowly in the pan, add the garlic and then bring the temperature up to just above medium low heat, allowing it to fry a bit. Stop the frying and bring the temperature back down to medium low before the Butter browns.

Add the heavy cream and cream cheese and season with salt and pepper

Stir frequently until cream cheese is all melted When you do not see any more solids add Parmesan, turn heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.

Serve over your favorite pasta.

Favorite Fruit Dip

7oz Marshmallow Creme
8 oz Cream Cheese

Directions:

Put the cream cheese and marshmallow in a bowl.

Mix on high until it's blended to a smooth consistency.

Serve right away with your favorite fruit, or chill in the fridge.

sidenote: we love this with strawberries, oranges, mangoes, bananas, grapes, apples... any fruit really!