Shock horror when I discovered that we had run out of food to feed ourselves after a late errand run one evening. 

It was way past the kids’ usual dinner time, we have ran out of the home-made frozen meals which I usually would have cooked in advance for the kids and I was not up for Silver Bullet’s idea of ordering snacks to tide us over for dinner.

It was not an ideal situation as not only was there almost nothing left to cook at home (or so I thought!), I was also mindful that I did not want to keep the kids waiting  too long while I whipped up something that could take a while.

But! I had plain, boiled spaghetti kept in the fridge from the day before and scouring further, I found a can of tomato puree, coriander powder, fresh frozen slices of chicken breasts and a variety of cheeses in the fridge. We also have a pot of fresh basil leaves which we are growing at home.

That was that. And I ended up with a new home-cooked meal recipe which was creamy, hearty and satisfying.

This has been a big surprise to me as I was initially skeptical that the kids would even eat it given their general dislike for anything tomato-based. But I was delighted that they gave it a go, liked it – no LOVED it, finished everything off their plate (sauce and all!), asked for more and then again several days later. 

For a mother, that is the best compliment ever. And to think that I thought there was nothing to cook! This one is a definite keeper. Enjoy.

Creamy Tomato Spaghetti topped with Pan-fried Coriander Chicken

2016-06-18 07:50:23

Serves 4

Creamy, hearty and satisfying one-plate meal for both adults and kids.

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Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

15 min

Total Time

25 min

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

15 min

Total Time

25 min

For the chicken

1. 200-300 grams chicken breasts, sliced
2. 2 tspn coriander powder
3. 1 clove garlic
4. Half tspn rosemary
5. 2-3 drops of Worcestershire sauce
6. A good dose of black pepper
7. Pinch of salt

For the sauce

1. 4 pieces of thinly sliced chicken deli
2. 1 small red onion, sliced thin
3. 2 cloves garlic, minced
4. Half a cube of chicken bouillon
5. 1 small can of tomato puree
6. 2-3 tbsp light cream cheese
7. A handful of grated cheese (I used old gouda)
8. Half a cup fresh skimmed milk
9. 5-6 basil leaves chopped
10. Some water
11. Salt to taste
12. Half a packed spaghetti noodles
13. 4 tbsp cooking butter to fry the chicken

Instructions

1. Cook half a packed spaghetti noodles per instructions on pack. Set aside.

For the chicken

1. Defrost chicken. Rub garlic, coriander powder and rosemary onto the chicken
2. Add seasoning and pan-fry in cooking butter till browned
3. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside once cooked

For the sauce

1. Use the remaining oil from the chicken to saute onions and garlic
2. Add in sliced chicken deli and chicken stock. Stir well.
3. Add tomato puree and mix well. When the sauce gets a little bubbly, mix in the cream and grated cheese
4. Add milk and mix well. If it gets too thick, add some water
5. Add chopped basil leaves and boil for about 5-8 minutes
6. Mix in the spaghetti noodles and stir well
7. Top with additional basil leaves for garnish

Notes

1. Best eaten when sauce is freshly made. The use of chicken deli adds flavour to the sauce while milk is optional as I used it mostly to thin the sauce but without diluting the creamy flavour.

Grubbs n Critters https://grubbsncritters.com/

It’s been a while since I have done any link-up and I thought that I’ll join in the fun at for Fiesta Friday #130 this week!

A conversation with Spud during lunch at home:

Spud: Mama, I heard what you said this morning and I know what you mean…

Me (a little puzzled): Uh? What did I say?

Spud: You said, “Oh boy!” And I know what you mean

Me: …

Spud (giggling): Mama, this morning you said, “Oh boy! It’s half day!” I heard you.

Me (with a raised eyebrow and almost bursting into laughter): Oh dear! Did I say that?!

Spud: You did, Mama. This morning. You didn’t say it so loud, but I heard you. I absolutely know what you mean, Mama.

Me (bursting into laughter): Oh? What do you think I mean?

Spud: When you said, “Oh boy! It’s half day!” I know that’s because we finish school early…and then when we are home and you have lots to do and we play and then we fight. And then you have to scream. And you have to scream a lot of times. (she said all of that without a pause, in one continuous breath)

Me (laughing quite hard by now and thinking did I really mutter that): And why do you think I have to scream?

Spud: That’s because we didn’t listen!

Me: Uh-huh. Well, you see, if you both had listened, then I don’t have to repeat myself a dozen times before having to scream at all. And that’s all you have to do. Behave. Listen. Don’t fight.

Spud: I know, Mama.

Then and there I was thinking: Damn! Of all the things she hears!

God forbid for all those times I have had to repeat myself like a broken record because they choose not to hear no matter how gentle I said it and then I’d have to end up screaming anyway just to get their attention. And the one thing she heard was the stuff I utter under my breath!

At least we were laughing about it.

Note to self:

Keep your thoughts to yourself. But, on the hindsight, perhaps I should be muttering to myself more and often. They seem to be more attentive to what I say.