Spicy Pico de Gallo Chicken Pasta

Ready for my first recipe post? Y'all didn't know I could cook, huh? Yeah, I didn't think so. Well, I can!

First off, let me just say that I bought the ingredients at Wal-Mart yesterday and didn't know what I was going to do with it all. A handful of parsley, a yellow onion, some tomatoes and frozen chicken. How does that turn into a fantabulous, spicy pasta? Like this!

Ingredients:
2 frozen chicken breasts
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1-1 1/2 TBSP fresh, chopped cilantro
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1-2 TBSP butter
2 TBSP olive oil
Crushed red pepper
Salt
Black pepper
Dried parsley
Garlic powder
1-1 1/2 cups pasta (any type, though spaghetti and fettuccine are not recommended)
Shredded cheese for garnish (mozzarella is what I used, but you can choose)

Directions:

Thaw frozen chicken breasts.

Heat water for pasta on the stove.

In skillet on medium high heat, melt butter. Add onion and cook for about 2-3 minutes. Try not to caramelize, though it's certainly an option if you like. When onions are softened, add olive oil and thawed chicken breasts. While chicken breasts are cooking, add a few shakes of salt, pepper, and garlic powder to uncooked side. Add a pinch of dried parsley, pinch (or more if you like) of crushed red pepper and all of the chopped cilantro. You can leave a bit of the cilantro for a garnish or simply chop a little extra. Add the diced tomatoes at this stage. Cook chicken for about 5 minutes and then turn. Add the same seasoning to the other side. Cook for about 2-3 minutes.

THIS STEP OPTIONAL
BEFORE the chicken is thoroughly cooked, take both pieces out and cut them on the cutting board. Place back in the skillet to continue cooking.

When chicken is cooked, throw in the pasta and tossed thoroughly. Garnish with cheese, possibly cilantro and any other Mexican-style flavors you can think of!

Serves 2-3 people


BEFORE
















AFTER

















I've got to say that my taste buds were very happy with this dish. It was spicy and flavorful and filling. Mmm... Well, that's all for now!

Dare to dream!

Water: The Stuff of Life

Important tip here. Probably the most important tip I can give you. But, of course, I have to start with a bit of a story.

Here's the thing. I work inside. Not out in the sun and 105-degree heat. It's not always that hot, but you get the idea. So you wouldn't assume that it'd be easy for me to get dehydrated. Well, obviously it is.

I'm not one of those people who avoids water or liquids in general like the plague. I like water. Love it. I love Diet Coke too, but that's different. I'm working on cutting back on soda in general. Which is a good thing.

Recently I've had headaches that are so bad, I can't be my usual chipper self at work. I had to leave early on Saturday because it got so bad. You know how, if you're dehydrated at all, your fingers may get an odd feeling? Almost like being oversensitive to touch? That's not the right way to describe it, but it's the only way I can think of.

Not really a story there. I'm just saying, I've never had it so bad that it takes three days to get back to normal. Just do me a favor and drink lots of water. Fluids in general, but definitely water. Soda isn't a great idea, but gatorade, powerade, and things like that are definitely something to drink when you can.

So, for me, please drink water!!!!!

And that's all for now, so keep dreaming!

Too Long!

It's been way too long since I posted and I really am sorry for that. All in all, the experience is still going well. It's still raining practically every day at some point, but I work inside so I'm staying dry. Yay!

I'm trying to think of more tips during my absences, but I haven't got anything new at the moment. I would like to know, though, if you've got questions for me. I'd be happy to answer them!

I'm still working at Port Orleans and I'm trying to figure out what my next move will be when my program ends in January. Will I extend into May? Will I apply for a professional internship? I will if I can. What about working on the Disney Cruise Line?

At the moment, I'm looking for someone to whom I can speak about all of these options so that I can get a better idea of what I want to do.

Again, comments and questions are greatly appreciated. For now, that's all I've got. I'll try to have more next time!

Keep dreaming!