I've been working long hours lately and have no desire to cook when I get home, let alone do the dishes afterwards. My solution for nights like these? A quick pasta. If I count all the prep dishes and my bowl and spoon to eat with, I get under 10 dishes to wash. (I'm talking cutting boards, prep knife, cooking spoon, pasta pot, sauce pan, serving bowl, and spoon to eat it all with). Which I think is pretty impressive considering its a well rounded meal with a vegetable.
We've got a chicken breast (later cut into cubes), asparagus (later chopped), shallot (later minced), garlic (later crushed in a garlic press), whipping cream, Parmesan cheese, and my favorite noodles (at least for the month).
First things first, I turn on my pans. First is the pot for the noodles, filled with water and a pinch of salt. Then it's my sauce skillet. Once the skillet is warm, add a little oil or bacon fat (I keep a cup of bacon fat on the stove just for this purpose). Add in your cubed chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook over med-high heat until golden brown.
When your water is boiling, add the noodles and cook as directed on package, or until al dente.
Back to the skillet -reduce heat to medium and add your minced shallots and crushed garlic toss for a minute, making sure the garlic doesn't burn. Add in the asparagus and toss for another minute. Now add 3/4 cup cream (or something close to that amount, I eyeball it depending on how much sauce I want), let it bubble for a bit.
Once your noodles are done drain them. I'm spoiled and my pasta pot lid has a built in strainer so I don't have get out the stand alone strainer or try draining it with a normal lid (which I always loose noodles with).
Add the pasta to your sauce and toss it together. Throw in a handful or so of cheese and mix it all together, so the cheese melts and incorporates.
Plate up, sit down, and eat (the dishes can wait till later).
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