Checking in...with a Tasty Recipe!

We have officially been living in our new little beach cottage for 15 days. I am not sure that life gets better than this. I have been on a constant high for the past 2 weeks just soaking in the fact that I have my own space, my own furniture, my very own pots and pans and a wonderful man to share everything with.

The initial move was simple.. maybe I say that because Papa moved everything in while I was working. I would venture to say we are about 70% done with the place at this point. I am kicking myself for not taking pictures of it when it was empty. It has much more potential than I thought it would. I remember our second walk through, the night we placed our deposit, I went back to Nicks and cried because it seemed so plain and tiny. I couldn't be happier with our decision though! I can't wait to post pictures! It truly is the cutest beach bungalow you will ever see!!

We went out and purchased a very sexy 46" LCD TV.  I had that gut feeling that I lost my boyfriend the minute we loaded it into the bed of his truck. I would have to say it's Nicks favorite part of the new place.. the TV paired with Netflix! Netflix is Genius. Simple as that.

Now..

MY favorite part of our home has to be my kitchen. It's all mine and soo cute (and small) but I have been really enjoying cooking. We've made home made meals almost every night we've spent at home. It's been really enjoyable and its nice to be able to use organic meats and locally grown produce.

Well the whole purpose of this post is to share a delicious recipe with everyone. My very best friend Ginny came over to see our new digs and stayed for dinner. I was all sorts of excited to have her over to MY home and make her a meal in MY kitchen. She is such a picky eater (and she will argue that she isn't.. but SHE IS) so when I came across this recipe on Our Best Bites I knew it was a pleaser.



Baked Chicken-Bacon Alfredo

8 oz. penne or bowtie pasta

1 recipe Guiltless Alfredo Sauce (1 16-oz. jar would work in a pinch)

2 chicken breasts, grilled and chopped (about 2 c. chopped chicken)

6 oz. (1/2 package) cooked bacon, chopped

1 14-oz. jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1/2 c. chopped green onions (about 1 decent-sized bunch)

1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Salt and pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 350.

Prepare pasta according to package directions.

While pasta is cooking, prepare Guiltless Alfredo sauce. When pasta is done, drain and add to the sauce. Toss with chopped chicken, bacon, artichoke hearts, green onions, and 1/2 c. mozzarella. Season to taste.

Transfer mixture to an 8×8″ baking dish and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 c. mozzarella cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until heated through and cheese is bubbly.

I subbed out the Artichoke hearts for peas for my picky eaters and it was still delicious. Can't wait to try it again with the Artichokes though! Please if you take the time to make this....USE the recipe suggested for the Guiltless Alfredo Sauce...it is full of flavor, sooo easy to make and the whole "Guiltless" factor makes it a much more enjoyable dish. (if you have a crazy calorie counting troll in the back of your head like I do)

~bon appetit!