Monday, June 17, 2013

No More Jack in the Box!

OK, Fettuccine Alfredo Girl....

Sorry we didn't get this lesson in before we left! I am going to explain and show pictures for one part of the dish at a time. The whole thing took me a little over 45 minutes but I also stopped to take pictures and do a load of laundry for Nana  ;)  as I went along.




Cut up your chicken into chunks and put it in your square glass dish (I used more chicken than you will and a larger dish), give it a few good shakes of salt and pepper and cover it with 1/2 cup of water, stir it around to make sure all the pieces have some seasoning on them. Put it in the oven at 350 for about 30 minutes. Wash your cutting board, knife, and counter really well with soap and water.

When it comes out, it will have a bit of a film on it from any fat not removed, just stir it around, it will be fine.



See? All good.


Get your broccoli out, we talked about making sure it is dark green at the store. I forgot to tell you to look at the stalk and make sure it is not moldy. Rinse your broccoli and use a different cutting board for this. Try to have a plastic/glass for meat and a different one for veggies and fruit. Cut the bottom of the stalk off and then turn it over - you'll see natural places to break off  "the branches" - cut the stalk some more if needed.


 Don't be afraid to cut it into smaller pieces - this is not an exact sceince - it's what you want!
 
 
Put a pot of water on, once it boils, toss it in. I cook mine for about 5 mins - cook yours longer for mushier or shorter for crunchier. Again, it is an experiment. Keep trying until you get it the way you want it.

Follow directions for the pasta - you don't need help reading the box :) Pour it out away from you, not towards you and GO SLOW. The steam hurts - A LOT.

Alfredo sauce - the part you have been waiting for......

 
You like the tub butter for your bread and for spreading - that is fine. When you cook, you need stick butter - it's just different. One stick of butter, 1/2 block of cream cheese, 1 cup of parmesan and 2 tablespoons of milk. Put it all in the pan together on low  to medium low heat.
 

Stir it every couple of minutes.


It gets thick.
 
 When it gets to be a giant blob that looks a little like paste take it off the stove and add 1/4 cup of milk and stir some more. The parmesan we bought is a little thick and didn't melt completely, I promise everyone here ate it any way.

Arrange it on your plate and be proud - you DID IT!!!

 
There is enough sauce for you, Nana, and Dixie to eat one meal and freeze the same amount for a second meal.