When All Else Fails...

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

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

Would you like to have this crazy goodness for dinner?

You know you want to, and hey ~ it's vegetables ~ so it's good for you, right?

*Get the printable recipe here.
Okay, start with these:

Cut the ends off of your squash and zucchini.  Cut in half lengthwise, then half the half (yes, quarter lengthwise) and cut little half inch slices.

Slice the carrots...I didn't peel them, just washed them really well.

Half the onion.  Then quarter each half.  Does that make sense?  It seems kina wordy.  Just make it look like this.  ***okay, after I cooked this I decided these could be smaller***

Peel the garlic

Throw the cut veggies and peeled garlic in a roasting pan with the mushrooms.

Drizzle with olive oil, throw in some salt and Herbs de Provence; stir them around until everybody's lightly oiled but not swimming!

Put them in the oven.

While they're sunbathing make your tomato sauce.  Heat some olive oil in a saucepan over medium.  Add chopped garlic once the oil is shimmery.

Pour in the tomatoes, and stir.  I use Cento Chef's Cut, with basil leaf.  The thick chop of the tomato works well with the size of the roasted vegetables.

Drop the burner down to a simmer for a bit.  Taste the sauce after about 5 minutes.  If the tomatoes are very acidic, add about a tablespoon of sugar.  You want some acidity, but not so much that it seems to bite back at you.

Your vegetables should be a bout done now.  You want them cooked but firm.  Remember they'll get a little softer when the whole lasagna bakes.  Mix them up with the tomato sauce.  ***If there is a lot of water in the bottom of the roasting pan, drain some out BEFORE you add the tomato sauce.***

I just LOVE how colorful this dish is!

Now for the layers:
1. Vegetables

2. Baby spinach - just lay it on there raw ***I forgot the spinach on the day I made this for pictures...sorry!
3. Cheese

4. Noodles

Repeat for 3 layers, but no noodles on the 3rd layer.

Doesn't that look AMAZING?????