A Fun Week and Another Recipe

Location: Avon Park, FL (High 73, Low 61)

We’ve been having a great time since we settled in here a week ago.

When we first arrived, the weather was a little on the warm side but the last few days it’s been very pleasant, even a little cool.

 

On Monday we had a girl’s day out with myself, Dee, Dee’s sister Doris and her friend Jody.

 

We had lunch at this great little eatery in Sebring where Dee took this nice selfie at our table. It had a really nice outside dining area, but we ate inside since it was a bit cool. (Yes I am a Floridian now, 60 is cool. )

 

I really enjoyed my steak sandwich on a homemade bread. Wow, it was SO yummy.

 

 

Then we walked around and did a little window shopping.

 

 

It was a really fun day.

 

 

Besides our day out, I’ve been going for a nice run every morning, and we’ve also been enjoying the evening card games twice a week. We also joined the club and went to see the new Star Wars movie yesterday. It was really good and we all enjoyed it. We have been enjoying our freedom from work and schedules.

One thing I’ve really been enjoying is having the time to do some cooking again. I want to try a couple new recipes each week. Yesterday I tried one that Harry and I both really liked. It was called Chicken Fajita Pasta.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 envelope (3 tablespoons) taco or fajita seasoning
• 2 cups diced onion (about 1 whole onion)
• 2 cups diced bell peppers (2-3 bell peppers)
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• ¹⁄₂ cup heavy cream
• 1 (10-oz) can Ro-Tel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles
• 8 oz (about 3 cups) penne pasta (I used bowtie pasta instead.)
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon salt

Directions:

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Season with half of taco seasoning. In a 12-inch skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over high heat. When the oil is very hot, carefully add the chicken in a single layer and cook without stirring until one side is seared and browned, about 1-2 minutes. Flip the chicken to the other side and cook until browned. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet with the heat still on high. When the oil is very hot again, add the onions, bell peppers, and remaining taco seasoning. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are slightly blackened. Turn heat to low, add minced garlic, and stir until fragrant and well combined, about 30 seconds. Remove the veggies to the plate with the chicken.

In the same skillet, add the broth, cream, diced tomatoes, uncooked pasta, and salt. Stir to combine and bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 15 minutes until pasta is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed. Add the chicken and veggies back into the skillet and stir to combine until heated through, about 2 minutes. Serve with buttery garlic bread and enjoy!