Creamy Tomato and Chicken Spaghetti

I'm trying to get a good menu for our family. There have been several recipes that I have tried and they just haven't turned out very well. I consider myself a good cook. I follow directions and will try new things and improvise but for some reason some recipes just aren't good-at all. This one is very family friendly and again my daughter enjoyed it. The whole reason of wanting to expand our menu was my daughter. My husband and I could eat cereal every night and be happy with it. But I think he is grateful that I am trying new recipes. My husband is kind of picky too at times but he also really liked this one.

Ingredients:
1/2lb spaghetti, uncooked
2 cups frozen stir-fry veggies
1 TB oil
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 can (14.5oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1/4 c zesty italian dressing (i used Kraft brand)
1/2 cup (1/2 of 8 oz box) cream cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:
Cook spaghetti in large saucepan as directed on package, adding stir-fry veggies to the boiling water for the last 3 min.

Meanwhile, heat oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 6 min., stirring occasionally. Stir in tomatoes and dressing; bring to boil. Simmer on medium heat 4 min., stirring occasionally. Add cream cheese spread; cook and stir until cream cheese is completely melted and mixture is well blended.

Drain spaghetti mixture; place in large bowl. Add chicken mixture; toss to coat. Sprinkle with Parmesan.

Recipe from Kraft Foods. I love this place, it has great recipes and a recipe box where you can store your favorite ones.

Bowtie Chicken Salad

Another great recipe from Studio 5. This is a great get together salad.

Daughter rating: 2- Tried a little but spit it out

Bowtie Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

• 10oz. Bowtie pasta, boiled until tender
• 3 large chicken breasts, boiled till cooked, cut into bite size pieces.
• 2 cans mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 cups water chestnuts, drained
• 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
• 1/2 bunch green onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• ½ cup honey roasted peanuts
• 5-10oz. spinach (add spinach before serving)
• 
  
• Dressing
• 1/2cup oil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Method:

Whisk all dressing ingredients together

Combine all ingredients except spinach. Place overnight in refrigerator in zip-lock bag.

Before serving: Mix together zip-lock bag ingredients and spinach...serve.

BOWTIE SALAD

This is my favorite salad EVER. It's so good and addicting. The taste is a little strong at times but it's delicious. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 Box (lb) bowtie pasta (mini)
6 0z spinach
1 small can sliced olives
1 can artichoke hearts (not marinated)
4 oz of feta cheese that is already cut up/crumbled
1 Avocado
1 small pkg or about 2 cups of grape tomatoes
1 purple onion
1 bottle Girard's Romano Cheese dressing

Directions:

The night before you serve salad- Cook pasta and cool. Put salad in a large bowl. Add 1/2 of the bottle of dressing, stir well. Cover and refrigerate over night.

The day of serving salad- Drain olives. Drain and chop artichoke hearts. Cut up avocado in small pieces. Chop purple onion. Add these ingredients along with the spinach, cheese, tomatoes and the rest of the dressing to the pasta. Add ingredients right before serving to keep the ingredients from becoming too soft or mushy.

Important to know:
* The Girard's Romano Cheese dressing is hard to find sometimes. My mom and I have found it at Smith's and Harmon's. We literally drove around to like 5 different stores trying to find it. We haven't used another dressing with it because this stuff is sooo good. If you try it with another dressing and you like it, let me know which kind it was.
* After a day or so the avocado will start getting dark and mushy.
* If you double the recipe still only use 1 purple onion, unless you want it REALLY strong.
* The salad can taste stronger or weaker depending on the particular onion.

Enjoy!