Impromptu Picnic (and recipe)

It's amazing the joy an impromptu picnic and family movie can bring to a 4 yr old! While we were cooking dinner, Brian asked if we could eat in the sunroom. I wasn't totally pumped because if I cook I think we should be sitting down as a family to eat together. Well Brian came up with a solution that would work for both of us and thrill Mackenzie at the same time... a "picnic" while watching "The Blue People Movie" (aka Avatar). (For some reason Mackenzie LOVES the movie... however we only let her watch it on rare occassion and fast forward thru the scary part.)

Notice the sheet BK put down to protect the freshly vacuumed rug. (Good man!)

For dinner we had one of our favorite meals. A good friend of ours brought it for dinner one night right after Dylan was born, and it has become part of our "rotation". It's pretty easy to make, especially after you figure out the timing to make sure all the pieces are done right before the pasta. And it makes a TON!! Its a great meal to make if you want leftovers (it's just as good the next day cold from the fridge) or if you're taking food to another family.

Bacon Chicken Pasta

3 to 4 chicken breasts

Lemon Pepper seasoning (to taste)

Olive Oil

1/2 to 3/4 c parmesan cheese (the real stuff)

1 package bacon (I prefer thick cut because it holds up better)

1 lb bowtie pasta

Toasted pine nuts (optional)

Marinate the chicken in lemon pepper seasoning and olive oil for 4 hours. (The longer the better.) Season with lemon pepper to taste, I season the chicken pretty heavily because some of the seasoning will get lost in the marinade and some in the pasta. Use enough olive oil to barely cover the top of the chicken. (Olive oil is expensive so why waste?)

Grill the chicken. (We cook it on our inside grill but you can  never go wrong with a charcoal grill!) Cook the bacon. While both are cooking, grate the parmesan cheese and boil the pasta. Cut the chicken and bacon into bite size pieces. Combine all ingredients. (See my tips below)

So here are my inside tips that I've learned making it numerous times...

Start the chicken grilling and bacon cooking at the same time. (I HATE cooking bacon, so BK is sweet enough to do this part for me.) About 5 minutes after starting the bacon and chicken put the pasta water on to boil. While all the other pieces are beginning to cook, grate the parmesan cheese. (Use the real stuff... trust me! It's a little pricey but lasts for thru about 4 recipes) The earlier you do this the less likely you are to get rushed pulling the other pieces together. By the time the water starts boiling the chicken and bacon should be about halfway done. As the chicken and bacon finish, cut them into bite size pieces. Cook the pasta until it's al dente, so it will hold up to the "mixing". Strain the pasta and immediately put into a large mixing bowl with the parmesan cheese. (This allows the cheese to melt before adding the other ingredients) Add olive oil to the cheese and pasta. (Not sure how much... 3 or 4 quick times around the bowl.) Mix a little more. Add the chicken and bacon and mix to combine.

Like I said this is one of our favorite recipes and is great hot and just as great the next day straight from the fridge. Hope you all enjoy!