Family Dinners How to Feed Your Kids and Get Them Talking at the Table

CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM PASTA Keep a wide variety of pastas in your pantry so you can be ready for many a splendid meal, including this one. 1 (8-ounce) package bowtie or penne pasta or fettuccini, cooked according to package directions and drained 2 to 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in bite-size pieces Salt and freshly ground pepper 1 clove garlic, minced 2 tablespoons butter 1 to 1 1/2 cups button or cremini mushrooms, halved 1 to 2 tablespoons flour a cup white grape juice or apple juice 1/2 cup half-and-half or cream 2 to 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley (optional) Put drained pasta back in cooking pot. Sprinkle chicken pieces liberally with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Saute garlic. Add chicken and cook about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove to a bowl or plate. Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Put mushrooms in skillet. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Saute about 5 minutes, until tender. Mix flour and grape or apple juice in a small bowl or cup, stirring until smooth. Add to mushrooms. Cook, stirring, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn heat to low. Add half-and-half or cream, stirring until mixture thickens slightly. Add chicken mixture to pasta. Stir in parsley, if desired. Serves 4.Peterson, Janet is the author of 'Family Dinners How to Feed Your Kids and Get Them Talking at the Table', published 2006 under ISBN 9781586857646 and ISBN 1586857649.