Robyn's Recipes

Meal of the Week

Preserved Children
(an excellent recipe!)
(I didn't write this, but I wish I had!)

Take 1 large field, half a dozen children,
2 or 3 small dogs, a pinch of brook and
some pebbles.  Mix children with dogs
well together.  Put them on the field,
stirring constantly.  Pour the brook over
the pebbles.  Sprinkle the field with
flowers.  Spread over all a deep blue
sky and bake in the sun.  When brown,
set away to cool in the bathtub.

You and your best friend have known
each other since you were little kids, right?
Actually, you're more like sisters.
All you have to do is look at each other,
and you know what the other is thinking,
even before she says it.
She knows your idiosyncrasies and accepts
you just the way you are.  You do the same
for her.  You're exactly alike, yet completely
different.  You look out for each other and
both of you are always there when the other
needs a shoulder to cry on.
No one else understands you the way that
she does, but that's because no one else
knows the million secrets that you've shared,
no one knows ALL the things about you that
she knows.  You trust one another implicitly!
You've helped each other grow, and you've
helped each other through troublesome times.
What would you DO without your best friend??!

Has it been awhile since you've spent an
evening together?  You both deserve it, you know.
Call her tonight, invite her to dinner.  Cook it
together.  Buy your favorite red wine,
make a toast "to friendship!!"
Spend your evening laughing, remembering the
time when...., spend it talking into the
night.  Just like old times.....

This page is dedicated to my friend, Elaine.

"Even though I didn't meet you when I
was a little kid, the 25 years that I've known
you have been the best of my life.  You are
the most special woman I know.  I admire you
for the risk-taker that you are!  You have
made living life such an adventure for me,
and I wouldn't change a thing.  Heck, I'd go
back and do it all again, in exactly the same way.
We've had some incredibly zany times, my friend,
and every time I think of you, I just have to
smile.  You're crazy in your way, and when
the two of us are together, God KNOWS, trouble
will follow!!!  :-)
I love you and miss you like crazy!!
Your move to England has been a life-changing
experience, not only for you, but for me,
as well.  If I come to visit, do you think
England is ready for the "Dynamic Duo"?
I can't wait for you to come home for a visit,
and this page entitles you to one great night
of dinner at my place, lots of fun and laughter,
maybe a couple of tears, but mostly, lots and
lots of talking into the night.
A 40-something pajama party!"

                        Love,
                        Robyn

Entree

Penne Pasta with Sun-Dried
Tomatoes and Chicken
(believe it or not, this is a low-fat meal!)

1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (I use the dried
sun-dried tomatoes that you buy in a cellophane
package, instead of the oil-packed in a jar.)
1/2 cup boiling water
6 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast
1/4 cup dry white wine (chablis or chardonnay)
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
3 tablespoons chopped shallot
1-1/4 cups chopped fresh portobello mushrooms
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
Cooking spray
5 garlic cloves, peeled & minced OR 1-1/2 teaspoons
garlic powder
1 tablespoon flour
12 ounces canned evaporated skim milk
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil OR 1 teaspoon
dried basil
6-7 large black olives, thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Put the sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl, adding the
boiling water, and set aside for the tomatoes
to reconstitute.

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil
while proceeding with the recipe.

Combine the chicken and wine in a shallow baking
dish.  Sprinkle the Italian seasoning on top.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the meat is no
longer pink and the juices run clear.
Remove and shred the chicken, but
RESERVE the cooking juices.

Drain the sun-dried tomatoes and slice
them thinly.

Pour the reserved cooking juices from the
chicken into a large skillet.
Add the shallots, mushrooms, peas, and the
sliced sun-dried tomatoes.
Sauté over low heat for a few minutes,
until the liquid has been absorbed and the
vegetables are wilted.
Remove the pan from the heat and cover
with a lid to keep the vegetables warm.

Add the penne to the boiling water in the
large pot, which should be at a full boil.
Cook the pasta over high heat to desired
doneness, about 8-12 minutes.

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the
sauce:

Preheat a small, heavy saucepan for about 1
minute over medium heat, then spray a couple
of times with the cooking spray.
Toss in the garlic and flour, then whisk in the
evaporated milk.
Add the nutmeg and red pepper flakes.
Whisking constantly, bring the mixture to
a boil and continue to cook for about
5 minutes, until thickened.
Reduce the heat to the lowest setting
and stir in the basil.

Drain the cooked pasta and transfer it to
a warm serving bowl.  Add the chicken,
vegetables, and sauce.  Toss and garnish
with the sliced olives.

Makes 2 large servings.

Beverage Suggestion:

Arbor Mist Peach Chardonnay

Side Dishes

Garlic Bread

To keep it simple, go to the frozen food
section of your grocery store.
Pepperidge Farm puts out a variety
of frozen garlic breads.
My favorite is the five-cheese.
It comes in a cellophane type of bag.
Simply cut one end and bake according
to package directions.  Easy and has
an exceptional taste!

Side Salad

Prepare a terrific salad using a couple
of your favorite types of lettuce, your
favorite vegetables, onions, mushrooms, etc.
Don't forget the croutons!!

Dessert
Keep it light with luscious fruit!
All of the fruit may be prepared ahead
of time EXCEPT the bananas.  Throw all of
the fruit into a large bowl and keep refrigerated
until ready to use.  Wait until you're ready to
serve to slice the banana, so that it doesn't
turn brown.

Favorite Fruit in a Glass

Strawberries, hulled and cut in half
Kiwi, peeled and cut into slices
Mango, cut into chunks
Banana, cut into slices
Blueberries
Red seedless grapes

Mix and match any or all of the above
fruits.
Mix the fruits together into a bowl,
then pour into balloon wine glasses.
Top with a little Cool Whip.