Louisiana Chicken Pasta

If you haven't ever tried the Louisiana Chicken Pasta at The Cheesecake Factory, I think it's safe to say your life may be incomplete.

Matt was craving it so I told him I would give it a shot and try to make it myself. I found the recipe online and, not to brag or anything, it turned out really really close to the real deal.SOOO Good.
So if you're looking for a new recipe to try, try this one :). It does have a little kick to it, just to warn ya.

INGREDIENTS:

For the Chicken

• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons flour

Cajun Sauce

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 small yellow pepper (chopped)
• 1 small red bell pepper (chopped)
• 3/4 small red onion (chopped)
• 3 whole garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 1/4 pints whipping cream
• 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
• 4 tablespoons fresh basil (thinly sliced)
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 (12 ounce) package bow tie pasta
• 1 cup mushroom (sliced)

Directions:

1. 1. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat.
2. 2. Add yellow and red bell peppers, mushrooms, and onion to same skillet,until crisp-tender, about 4 minute.
3. 3. Add garlic and crushed red pepper to skillet and saute 3 minutes.
4. 4. Add whipping cream and chicken stock.
5. 5. Simmer until sauce re-heats and thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
6. 6. Add basil and 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese to sauce, stirring to incorporate.
7. 7. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low, simmer; sauce will reduce and thicken.
8. 8. Wash and drain chicken breasts.
9. 9. Pound until very thin (the thinner the chicken breasts the better).
10. 10. Mix breadcrumbs, flour, and Parmesan cheese together.
11. 11. Place milk in dish for dipping.
12. 12. Dip chicken in breadcrumb mixture and then in milk and then back in breadcrumbs.
13. 13. Place in fry pan that the oil has been heated and fry at medium high temperature until golden crisp and cooked through.
14. 14. Add more oil as needed.
15. 15. Remove and drain chicken; keep warm.
16. 16. Meanwhile, cook bow-tie pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite.
17. 17. Drain and return to pot.
18. 18. Add sauce and toss to coat.
19. 19. Place pasta with sauce on plate, and top with chicken breast.
20. 20. Serve, passing additional Parmesan separately

WARNING: This might BuG you.

The other night Matt was in his office with the dogs. He saw them playing with something on the ground but didn't think anything of it. A couple of minutes later, Zoey came and rested her head on his leg like she always does so Matt looks down and....   BAM!

Whatever they were playing with obviously wasn't playing back, and must have stung or bit Zoey around her eye. It was pretty disgusting. And we never figured out what the bug was. But she's still with us so i'm guessing it wasn't poisonous. 

We loaded her up on benedryl, so that,combined with her pain pills because of her torn ACL (sad face) She had to of been feelin Goooooood. 

She kind of looks scary. Matt didn't let me look at it until the next morning. But he sure did bring her to bed with him because he felt so bad for her. My poor Zoey Boey. She's just gettin' beat up left and right. 

And needless to say, Matt sprayed the house for bugs the next day.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

These two quotes were printed on our bulletin in church today:


"There is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood" -Elder M Russell Ballard.


"We are living in a great season for all women in the church. Sisters, you are an essential part of our Heavenly Father's plan for eternal happiness, you are endowed with a divine birthright. You are the real builders of nations wherever you live, because strong homes of love and peace will bring security to any nation." - Dieter F. Uchdorf


I missed my mom more than usual this Mother's Day. I should have known when two weeks ago I stood in the Mother's Day card aisle for twenty five minutes with tears streaming down my face. 3 hours away I could deal with, but 11 hours? It's not exactly a short drive home. 
I'm so grateful for my mother. She is the most selfless, spiritual person I have ever known. I have so many precious memories of her throughout my childhood. Coming in to sleep on the floor with me when I had bad dreams, or letting me crawl in her bed, playing the piano in our house, singing The Carpenters, her famous Thanksgiving Stuffing, her painting or making jewelry,teaching me, helping me...I'm especially grateful that she let me live past my childhood. I know I caused her quite a few sleepless nights. She is always serving others, whether its friends, church, or our family. She always calls exactly when I need her to, and very rarely doesn't pick up when I call her, even during nap time. 
She's my hero, and I can never repay her for everything she's done for me. 

My mother-in-law is such an amazing person too. Since I've known her, I have never once seen her not up-beat, and I've never heard her speak ill of anyone. She is so super sweet and I love being around her. I'll never forget seeing her drive up to the house, a little lady in a big ol truck, jammin' out to 104.7. Or her singing "New York" by Jay-Z when we were camping. I love when Matt talks about her, and seeing the bond that they have. She would do anything for anyone. I definitely lucked out my in-laws. I love her to death.

I have so many examples of great mothers in my life. Sisters, sisters-in-law, friends.. My sister Shauna gave birth to a precious baby girl just yesterday and it reminded me how beautiful motherhood is. I love being an auntie, but I'm so excited to be a mother someday. 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!