Pears & Chicken...

Since Heather gave us a bunch of zucchini - I had to find a recipe to use some of it up.

Chicken Vegetable Marinara - from Krafts Kitchen

2 slices bacon - chopped
450g/1lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch chunks
1 T italian seasoning
3 large carrots - diagonally sliced
1 onion - chopped
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups  waters
1 1/2 cups pasta sauce
3 cups whole wheat rotini pasta uncooked
2 zucchini, cut into 1/2" thick slices/chunks
1/2 cup Kraft 4 Cheese Italiano light shredded cheese

Cook and stir bacon in large saucepan on medium heat 4 min or until crisp. Use slotted spoon to transfer bacon to medium bowl, reserving drippings in pan.  Add chicken and seasoning to drippings; cook and stir 4 min or until chicken is no longer pink.  Add to bacon, set aside.

Add carrots and onions to saucepan; cook and stir 2 min.  Add broth, water, pasta sauce and pasta; stir. Bring to boil on high heat; simmer on medium low heat 12 min. Stir in zucchini and chicken mixture; simmer 8-10 min or until pasta and vegetables are tender and chicken is done.

Creamy Balsamic Pear Salad - Krafts Kitchens

6 cups torn mixed salad greens
2 red pears - thinly sliced
1/2 cup Kraft 4 cheese italiano shredded cheese
1/3 cup slivered red onions
4 slices low - sodium bacon, cooked, crumbled
1/3 cup pure Kraft Refrigerated Creamy Balsamic Dressing

I made the chicken/pasta exactly the way the recipe states but we made a few modifications to the salad recipe.  I used "real" bacon bits instead of making bacon, I couldn't find red pears at Save-On so I used green, Save-On also didn't have the salad dressing so my husband improvised by combining a raspberry vinaigrette and some creamy cucumber.  Weird but strangely good. 

Overall - the salad was good.  We would make it again.  Both Mr Picky and Miss Almost Vegetarian picked away at it and weren't overall fans.  Both my husband and I liked it.  It would be fun to try again with their recommended dressing and I don't know - I wanted some raisins put in.  :)   I don't know if red pears taste any different than green pears but that might change things up too.

The pasta...was a HUGE hit!!  Everyone loved it.  Even Mr.Picky scarfed his down in record time and Miss Almost Vegetarian wanted another helping.  The next day I brought some to work and a friend of mine - let's call her Mrs Flowers - tried some and thought it was great too!  This recipe will be becoming a regular entry into our meal plans.