A Bow-Tie Affair

I LOVE pasta.

There it is. The awful truth.

Pasta is definitely not something that should be cooked on a regular basis. To be sure, it should really only be enjoyed on special occasions.

My husband's favorite pasta is bow-tie pasta, or Farfalle. I've never really cooked it, to be perfectly honest, because I am partial to Penne (see Lucky Penne if you haven't before) or the typical spaghetti. Beyond that, my pasta love is minimal... at least when it comes to cooking.

So, since Clark has been a dear and hung pictures, worked, and is working at getting back into shape... not to mention starts school in August and has a baby due in September... and has been working on furniture for said baby... I decided it was about time I tried to make a pasta just for him.

SUPPLIES: (Forgot the Sea Salt in the picture... oops!)

- 1 lb Chicken Breasts, cut into strips
- 1/3 C Chopped White Onion
- 4 Chopped Garlic Cloves
- 8 oz of Quartered Cherry Tomatoes
- 1/2 C Chopped Red Bell Pepper
- 12 oz box or bag of Farfalle (aka Bow-Tie Pasta)
- 2-3 TBLSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or whatever level of Olive Oil you wish)
- 2 TBLSP + 1 TSP Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 TBLSP + 1 TSP Basil
- 1 TSP Red Pepper Flakes (this is optional... I just always like to spice things up a bit!)
- 1 TSP Sea Salt

DIRECTIONS:

- Cook the pasta according to the directions on the box or bag. Do this while you are cooking everything else. More than likely, the pasta will be ready first. Set aside for the moment while you finish preparing the other yummies!
- Saute the Cherry Tomatoes,Bell Pepper, Onion, and Garlic together with 1 TBLSP of the Olive Oil and 1 TBLSP of the Vinegar. Do this until the onion has softened and is starting to brown along with the garlic.
- Remove the veggies to a larger pan. I am using my Wok, only because I do not have a large, deep frying pan. If you do, use that!

- Saute the already cut up chicken in the pan once used for the veggies with 1 TBLSP of the Olive Oil and 1 TSP of the Vinegar. It is important to use the same pan so the chicken can soak up the flavors of the veggies, BUT you do not want the veggies and the chicken together just yet. That comes when you put everything together! Cook the chicken until it's completely cooked through... you can cut into the strips to make sure there's no more red, pink, or any coloring that doesn't seem normal!
- Now, combine the pasta and chicken into your larger pan with the veggies. Add the spices and the last TBLSP of the Vinegar. Toss everything together every two minutes or so for about 10 to 15 minutes, allowing everything to come together to make a delicious Bow-Tie Affair!