Life is busy. It's been so very busy. I could list all the reasons why, but I bet one thing: we all have busy lives. Everything's been so crazy around here that I decided to skip bible study tonight and just stay home. I was all the way home, with all 3 kids unloaded from the car before I stopped to think about the fact that I had no clue whatsoever about what to do for dinner.
We had a pack of chicken tenderloins in the fridge. There were some sweet peppers left from the market this weekend. I found some evaporated milk in the pantry (don't wince, it's the perfect substitution for cream). I decided to go with what I know. When all else fails butter + cream will save the day.
This isn't so much a recipe as it is a reminder. You can probably make a meal with what you have on hand if you just get creative and confident.
So here's what I did: I melted some butter in a pan and added in the chicken (tenderloin strips), straight from the package. I sprinkled on some Tony's and threw the bacon press on top. After a few minutes, I flipped the chicken. I added some onion and sweet peppers, because I had them and they would probably go bad in a day or two. While that was all cooking {and smelling pretty good} I poked around the fridge for more ideas. There was a little bit of the chili paste I'd used making Citrus-Chili Chicken, so I decided to add that.
In a bowl, I whisked a can of evaporate milk, what was left in the jar of chili paste and a little flour. I poured that in and continued to add a little bit of this and that. We ended up with a nice, quick meal that I didn't have to think about or plan.
Don't be afraid of your kitchen. Melt some butter in a pan then add cream and flour (whisk this in a separate bowl first) --- you just made cream sauce.
Too thick? Thin it our with a little chicken stock.
Too thin? Add more flour - or cheese(!)
Bland? Add in some vegetables, the end of a jar of something that's in the fridge, lemon juice, a seasoning packet... whatever you want!
Just remember: Butter + Cream + whatever flavorings you've got lying around = easy weeknight pasta. And who doesn't need a good cream sauce after a busy day?
Linking up at Tidy Mom
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