Chicken alfredo

                                         

Ingredients:

v     2 skinless chicken breasts, cut in slices about 1/4 " thick then in bite-size morsels

v     6 or so leaves of sage

v     1 cup broccoli florets, steamed (optional)

v     1 red pepper, seeded, coarsley diced, sautéed in olive oil or butter (optional)

v     8 oz pasta (fettucine, tagliatelle) or 12 oz (3/4 package) penne, etc. (Fettucine is heavier).

v     4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature (or 2 of olive oil for sauteeing the chicken and 2 of butter for the sauce)

v     1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan), at room temperature, plus extra cheese to pass at the table

v     1 1/4 cup heavy cream

v     salt and freshly ground pepper (use white pepper if you have it)

                   a pinch of grated nutmeg

Process:

1.      SET the pasta water to boil.

2.      IN a pan large enough to hold all the ingredients, sauté the chicken in 2 tablespoons of butter or good olive oil until lightly browned. Set aside in a warm place.

3.      COOK the pasta. Remember to reserve some of the cooking water to moisten your chicken Alfredo if it is too dry.

4.      ADD the heavy cream, 2 table spoons of butter and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese to the same pan. Keep cooking on low-medium heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture reduces slightly and thickens.

5.      ADD pinch of nutmeg, 3 - 4 leaves of sage, salt and pepper to taste. Stir.

6.      ADD the cooked chicken and optional ingredients and mix again. Taste for salt. Add a TBSP or two of the pasta cooking water if too dry.

7.      ADD the cooked and well-drained pasta to the sauce. Mix well with a wooden spoon.

8.      TURN into a warmed serving bowl, or directly onto warmed plates.

9.      VARIATION: Turn pasta mixture into a baking dish, sprinkle 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese on top, and set under broiler for about 30 seconds, until flecked with brown (2nd picture).

10.  PASS grated Parmesan at the table.