Farfalle With Chicken, Broccoli, Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Do you remember when Regis's partner was Kathi Lee Gifford? Well, I do. I admit I used to watch them all the time, so much so that their cookbook, Cooking with Regis and Kathie Lee was my very first! And this recipe was in there. I have adapted it to suit my taste, but the original recipe came from Joy, Regis's wife! Remember the Love Chef? I enjoyed how Regis said The Love Chef. I also recall how Kathie Lee had a thing for David Letterman. Kind of an odd obsession..Did you hear George Clooney is returning to ER for an episode? Did you know my puppy is named Clooney? You can see my Clooney here at the end of my Beef stroganoff post. Did you know George Clooney was once on the show Facts of Life? She really had a weird obsession with Letterman. What makes women weak that way? Hmm, I'll never know. On to the recipe:

Farfalle with Chicken, Broccoli and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

(This recipe has my adaptations, by adaptations, I really mean doubling of some ingredients, you know like the butter and wine , most certainly.)

1/4 cup olive oil

4 cloves garlic, crushed

1 pound boneless chicken breast, cut into strips, 1/2 inch wide

3 cups small broccoli florets(more on that later.)

1 cup oil packed sundried tomatoes, (I use the oil with them) and sliced

2 teaspoons dried basil(I have subbed fresh with fine results)

Pinch or two red pepper flakes

Salt and Pepper to taste

1/2 cup white wine( I prefer pinot grigio).. like you care..

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

2 tablespoons butter

about 12 oz Farfalle Bow Tie Pasta, cooked and drained

Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat your olive oil

over medium heat. Saute your garlic until golden , stirring frequently. Add your chicken strips and saute until almost cooked through. Please note I said almost. If you do cook them all the way through, they will get dry before the end of the meal. I know. I've done it. My mistakes are numerous..

Next, you are going to add your broccoli--- interruption for a note about the broccoli. The original recipe has you add the raw broccoli to the pan. I do not do that anymore, because it makes the chicken cook even longer than needed. IMVHO.Now, I cheat. Now, I buy a bag of broccoli crowns ready to be steamed. Such as these

I then steam them according to package directions but only half way. Can anyone understand what I mean by that? I can't even understand myself. My FFH(firefighter husband) only understands me half the time.. at least he thinks he does. I let him think he does.. it makes the fighter of flames feel mighty brain savvy when he thinks he understands the workings of the female mind. He really does not need to understand my mind, though,or the workings of it, as long as he keeps understanding how to use his hose. Umm, yeah that's right, I do mean BOTH here and at work.

Anyway, don't go wondering about his hose, it's not yours.

So back to the broccoli, after you steam it halfway, meaning half the time directed, toss that in the pan as well.

Now add your sundried tomatoes,

Remember you must chop them first, Toss them in the pan as well. I toss them in the pan WITH the oil. Even Mark Bittman agrees that is a good thing. Aren't sundried tomatoes just so exciting.. Exciting and new.. come aboard.. we're expecting you.. The Loooove Boat.. Soon we'll .. Holy crap! There I go again. I'll never understand why my mind takes the curves it does. Please excuse my brainwaves.

However, while my brainwaves are functioning, check out these awesome recipes involving sundried tomatoes!!

Taste and Tell uses sun dried tomatoes in her Roast Beef Panini! Sara at Sara's Kitchen has an awesome penne with sausage , sundried tomatoes and artichoke dish! Way to go, Sara! Love the combo!!

Spryte at Sprytes Place made a lovely quiche using these suckers!

Judy from Judy's Kitchen uses them for her Shrimp Fradiavlo.

Passionate Eater offers sundried tomatoes as a substitute ingredient in her panini sandwich.

OK, add your herbs.

Then Stir.

Add your wine, pour yourself a glass while you're at it, Then grab a Coors Light for your FFH, And go to town.

Add your chicken broth, Your butter. Mix and cook for about 5 minutes. Add your cooked and drained bow-ties

Toss Add your freshly grated cheese And you're done. This is a great meal for weekday eating, as it's not a lotta prep and has a pretty quick cooking time. To complete the meal, how about some nice crusty bread. My FFH just loves to soak up the juices with his bread. Certainly not a gourmet meal by any means, but it sure is tasty and a meal that has some veggies, some protein, butter and wine. This is your girl-who loves to cook and bake-next door type of meal. AND that is MY kind of meal!

Anyone Know why the banks charge an Insufficient funds fee when they already know there is no money in the account to begin with? And I think I make no sense.