Giada's ~Not So Bikini Ready~ Pasta

It was a chilly rainy day yesterday, so I was looking for some comfort food. This was pretty good and I added peas to give it some color.

Chicken Carbonara
2 teaspoons olive oil

4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, chopped (I used Prosciutto)

2 teaspoons minced garlic

2 1/2 cups whipping cream

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan

8 large egg yolks (I used 4 ~ and split the entire recipe in half.)

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

Salt 1 pound spaghetti

4 cups coarsely shredded chicken ~ used grilled chicken

Freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted (Did not use)

1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel
Heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta and garlic and saute until it is brown and crisp, about 8 minutes. Cool slightly.
In a large bowl, whisk together the cream, cheese, yolks, basil, and parsley to blend.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the spaghetti and cook until it is just tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Drain.
Add the chicken to the pan with the pancetta and stir to combine. Next, add the spaghetti and the cream mixture and toss over medium-low heat until the chicken is heated through and the sauce coats the spaghetti thickly, about 4 minutes (do not boil or you might end up scrambling the eggs). Season the pasta, to taste, with pepper and salt if needed (the pancetta will likely add all the salt you need). Transfer the pasta to a large wide serving bowl. Sprinkle the walnuts and lemon zest over, and serve.

Last Restaurant Standing

Okay -- so I have been watching this show all along on BBC America. It 's a nice dose of reality tv without too much drama....I can't do all the drama sometimes! Raymond Blanc and his crew are a creative but classy bunch.

BTW, I love the scenery in this show. Makes me want to go back to the UK!

Anyway, it's down to the final 3 -- I wonder who it will be????

Giada's "Get Bikini Ready" Carrot Salad

I don't know that Giada has ever had to get "bikini ready", but I did like this salad as I found some spectacular carrots at Whole Foods the other day.

1 1/2 pound large carrots, trimmed and peeled (about 8 carrots)

2 firm pears (recommended: D'Anjou)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves (had to use dry...worked well)

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 1 tablespoon curry powder

2 teaspoons honey (I used mango chutney because I didn't have any and it worked nicely.)

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Using a vegetable peeler cut the carrots lengthwise into thin ribbons or slices. Quarter, core, and stem the pears. Using a knife, slice into very thin strips. Place the carrot and pear slices in a large bowl with the chopped parsley.
In a blender combine the white wine, curry powder, honey, salt, and pepper and blend to combine. With the machine running add the olive oil. Pour the dressing over the carrots and pears. Toss to combine and serve immediately.

Here is some "mom essential" information...

This is compliments of my very fun and super cool neighbor...Dr. Jennifer Dyer.

Here is an excerpt and a link to the actual post - below in blue. The article is particularly helpful because it gives you a time frame for when it is appropriate to send your child back to school, which is not always the easiest thing to figure out and she lays it out for just about any nasty sick thing you can think of! (BTW, she will be on the Today show someday and just remember you saw her here first!)

Keeping kids home from school or day care
Posted by Dr. Jennifer Shine Dyer, Nationwide Children's Hospital April 02, 2008 02:32AM
Categories: Children & Youth, Impact, Netwellness

Mild illness is common among children. Most children will not need to be excluded from school or their usual source of care for mild respiratory tract illnesses. A disease is usually transmitted before symptoms developed in the child. Disease may occur as a result of contact with children who have no symptoms of infection.
The risk of illness can be decreased by following appropriate hand washing procedures on a routine basis.............

A recipe for a new birthday tradition....

So, it's my birthday today, and I am going to try to start a new tradition as I don't think we think enough about the "gifts" we have all year long, particularly when it comes to girlfriends and since this blog is definitely more "girl" than "boy" this is for my girlfriends. Think of it like signing my "2008 yearbook" and I am slightly limited by space and time, so its definitely not collectively exhaustive to use a "strategy" term...just the beginning and more to come in 2009. (Order of "gifts" is strictly aLphaBetical.)

Abby - What are fun and interesting person you are to know! I appreciate that Jen has given me the opportunity to get to know you and hang out from time to time.
Beth - We haven't seen much of you lately, but it is pretty cool that we can go out to dinner and pick up where we left off however long it has been! Also, thank you for giving me a home away from home many years ago when I was a sad college student.
Buzzy - You are an amazing sister in law. I can't tell you how happy I am to have someone on the "in-law" team. :) Furthermore, you are from my part of the world -- go Western NY!-- and I think it makes us even more connected. I truly enjoy our relationship, cocktails, your family and I look forward to having lots of fun in the future. (You, Marya and Jen P. can all go in the beer at 10am category which I LOVE!)
Emily - so you my cousin/friend. Thank you for being such an amazing supportive cousin when I moved to DC and I am so glad we had that time together as I am sure it has made us much closer friends. It was great to see you in Columbus this year....let's make our visit an annual event.
Jen P.- What can I say, you are an amazing person who has made me a better person for the last 19 -- can you believe it -- 19 years. I also believe that there are a few conversations that we have in a lifetime that can change the trajectory of our lives and at one point in college you did that for me. So, thank you. You have been a rock in my life and I will always appreciate your willingness to have a beer at 10am, let me be a part of your family especially when mine was back in New York, or just talk about any kind of "stuff". The dinner party you had for me was one of the nicest most sincere gifts I have ever received.
Jen S.- sister in law #1, you are truly unique and creative person who inspires me to be a little bit like Martha. I knew when I introduced you to my brother you would be a great part of our family.
Jen D. - What a great neighbor you have become and what an amazing attitude you have on life in general... I feel so fortunate to have met you and to have the opportunity to continue to get to know you and Mike.
Kate - We have followed each other around the East Coast and Ohio and have had many many great memories. And, having 3 boys grow up together has been such a fun and special experience. I am so glad I tracked you down in DC. Our lives have certainly been altered by our renewed friendship....just think I wouldn't be sitting here at Nationwide!
Marya - Wow -- you have been my friend longer than anyone else on this list -- 25 years if you don't count the gap around college! And since the beginning, you have added so much to my life...in terms of experience, advice and perspective. Your drive and willingness to try new things at times has really rubbed off on me and I know I am better person as a result, so thank you. Furthermore, in our "older years", you have opened me up to a whole new way of thinking and imagining. And, I cannot forget to mention that we have also had some seriously fun times and not just with you, but with our great families.
Melanie - First you were my boss....now not my boss, but definitely my friend. Thank you so much for the opportunity of a lifetime that you provided for me and continuing to support me professionally and personally. My life has definitely been enriched by your friendship.
Molly - another VERY fun neighbor...It has been great getting to know you as we hang on the porch and enjoy fine-dining Walhalla style!
Tori - You have grown up so much since we first met and each year you really become your own person, which I truly admire. Being your sister-in-law has evolved from sticking up for you to just being cool friends. Thank you for being you!

Like they always say at the Oscar's..."god I hope I didn't forget anyone". So, if I did, there is always next year. Thanks for "listening" and cheers (glasses clinking)....to a great year! Sarah