Pickin the Chicken

Yesterday was my first day back to work, and it couldn't have been better. That's what happens when you turn your problems over to the Man upstairs. Therefore, I came in and baked a fudge pecan pie. Dan told me that he loves those, and I made one once and loved it, but hubby (soon to be ex) said it was a perfect waste of a good pecan pie. Hurt my feelings. Besides, what kind of person doesn't like chocolate? Bygones. I had to baby it due to this turbo oven, but I think it's passable at least.

Anyhoo, Dan's been gone a week, and comes home today, and it's time to cook! I let him know last night he needs to be hungry on two levels (wink), and he said no problem there. Had to meet the ex at the storage building so he could get his stuff (cause he doesn't want to help pay the bill anymore), and that's okay. Actually met him at McDonald's for breakfast. I'm thinking he may have a girlfriend because he was so nice. Girls, if you don't already know, listen to this:

when you split with a man, and he is being a butt, just hope and pray he gets a woman soon. Because when he does, you don't get anymore crap from him. But I digress.

The morning was good, and Bill was very nice and it was like old times. When we parted, he hugged me, and that's the way it should be after 16 yrs.

Now to the chicken.

Boiled the thighs as soon as I got back, then let them cool while preserving the broth. When they were cool and it was time to get busy, my Barry White cd went into the player. I was pickin the chicken off the bone to Can't Get Enough of Your Love, as well as What Am I Gonna do with you.
(it takes awhile). Once the broth came back to a boil, I dropped in 3/4 box of bowtie pasta (use Barilla--trust me on this). I had to take a dance break as Barry belted out First, Last, Everything. This takes the entire living room, hallway, and kitchen. In fact, I had to replay that one. Then as Barry was telling his woman to "take off your brassiere, my dear" I was checking the pasta for al dente doneness. Once done, I took it out of the pot with a slotted spoon, again reserving broth, only this time I poured it into large measuring cups. I tossed together the chicken, pasta, and a cube diced Velveeta. Not the little bitty one, and not the Magnum PI one, but the one in between, and you'll just have to figure out the weight because I'm not digging thru the trash just to tell ya. I added a can of cream of mushroom soup and about 8 shakes of Cavender's Greek Seasoning. All the while Barry is asking "What am I gonna do with you?"
Don't get me started. I had a few black olives, so I sliced them and added them to the mix. And I'm gonna heat up a can of Ro-Tel tomatoes to add at the table. This is a good twist on this recipe, but I don't trust my stomach just yet to put it into the pot, so if Dan wants it, he'll have to add it to his plate. I also made a batch of garlic-cheese biscuits (ala Red Lobster), all sitting in a row ready to go into the oven at the appropriate time. This is so easy. Just follow the biscuit recipe on the Bisquick box, but add grated cheddar and garlic powder. Or, if you trust your own instincts, do as I did: throw some bisquick in a bowl, add a dollop of sour cream, grated cheese, minced roasted garlic, and milk. The batter needs to be sticky. Put some flour or bisquick on your wooden board, put your biscuit batter on it, and knead in the xtra flour till not real sticky but not dry. Roll out, cut to the size you like ( I just use a jar or glass), and bake on parchment.
Yum Yummmmm. To be healthy, this meal will be rounded out with my favorite---Broccoli!!!

I'm having a cardiac procedure tomorrow a.m. Pray for me. Dan is on his way. Pray for him.

He's gonna need it!

L.