So the other day I was talking to one of my good friends and she brought up my blog. She was telling me that her sister was trying to cook more meals at home these days, and my friend suggested that she check out my blog. My friend told me that her sister called back and told her that while this stuff looked great and all, she needed something easy. So…this one is dedicated to Tracy! I want my blog to reach all sorts of cooks-those who love challenging recipes, those who want to try new ingredients, the people that just need some inspiration, and those who are just looking for some simple meal ideas that they can make fast. I know that I love to cook, but let’s face it…Monday through Friday, I really don’t have that much time to do it. I have to prep during my son’s nap time if it is something time intensive. We all love to have a few quick staple recipes on hand that we can whip up fast without any extra added prep and this is one of them. I mean, if you are working and cooking for only one or two, you are exhausted when you get home. If you are a mom, you can only be expected to do so much with kids clamoring around you shouting out requests for a myriad of different things (all usually not related at all to your goal of getting dinner on the table!) . This is one that you can make and guess what? It takes just minutes and you barely have to think. Which for most of us, is a really good thing! Mix and match my pasta perfect ingredient suggestions and you have yourself some quick dinner ideas.
Tracy-I hope you like this one. Give it a try! It is simple, fast and really GOOD!
Easy, Creamy Garlic Alfredo
4 tblsp. butter
6 garlic cloves, minced
8 oz. cream cheese
2 cups milk
1 cup parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
Melt butter on low heat in a saucepan. Add garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.. Add cream cheese and whisk as it melts. Add in milk and whisk until smooth. Add parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Whisk and cook 1-2 minutes until all ingredients are well blended and heated through. Makes about three cups.
*Note: I did make a batch with regular cream cheese and whole milk. It was delicious and indulgent. I also tried it out with low fat (neufechtal cheese) cream cheese and low fat milk. Still VERY good! I noticed I had to whisk it a little more until it got really creamy. I DO NOT recommend fat free cream cheese. If you want to save calories, but still make it creamy, I would go for the regular cream cheese and try low fat or fat free milk.
Pasta Perfect Combos
Add any of these options to cooked pasta and stir in the easy creamy garlic alfredo sauce. we tried the first one the other night. Delicious!
Steamed Broccoli + Cooked, cubed chicken
Cooked, cubed ham + peas + sauteed leeks
Sun dried tomatoes + artichokes
Sauteed mushrooms + diced bacon
Corn + jarred jalepenos + cooked, cubed chicken
Walnuts + Cooked, cubed chicken + blue cheese crumbles
Roasted Zuchinni, yellow summer squash and carrots
Steamed chopped spinach + cooked shrimp
Enjoy!
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