One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Broccoli

I hope everyone had a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Classes have started back up for me. I am busier than I ever was, After November began, time flew. It was a very difficult end of 2015 for my family and I, but we made it through. That was one of the main reasons I have posted anything on my blog for such a long time. It went to the back burner after the beginning of November. 

The New Year has flown by, I can't believe it is already the beginning of February. Because I am so busy, sometimes I want something that's loaded with CARBS and quick to make. This One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta kicks butt. It is so yummy, and easy to make. Throw everything in pan, put a lid on it and stir it every so often? Sign me up! Because it's pasta, I don't have it often, but sometimes I just need a cheat on my healthy diet, and this usually does this trick. Plus, I add brocolli-- so that means the whole dish is healthy...?

Side notes: This pasta is cooked in the same pot from start to finish. This recipe can be doubles very nicely. The addition of the broccoli is optional. I add the broccoli about 10 minutes before the pasta is done cooking.

One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Brocolli

adapted from Damn Delicious

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup milk, or more, as needed

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

8 ounces uncooked fettuccine

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 pkg. frozen broccoli (12-14 oz.) (optional) (fresh broccoli can be used)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
2. Stir in chicken broth, milk, butter and fettuccine; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
3. Bring to a boil; add broccoli. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked through, about 18-20 minutes. Stir in Parmesan. If the mixture is too thick, add more milk as needed until desired consistency is reached.
4. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy your pasta!I know, I will! 

Peace, love, bake on.

                                             Andrea 

37 Pumpkin Recipes

Why is it that it is only acceptable to have pumpkin everything during the fall? I believe it should be socially acceptable to enjoy pumpkin in all it's many forms all year round. Let's raise up and say "We want pumpkin everyday all year round!" Let me hear you. 

I was looking for some Pumpkin recipes and found a whole bunch. I thought I would share the love. :) Here are 37 delicious, drool-worthy pumpkin recipes from soups to pasta to desserts from some of my favorite blogs and such. I started with desserts because I believe in having dessert first. 

Desserts:

1. No-Bake Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes 

                                                   

2. The Best Pumpkin Cream Cheese- Filled Brownies

3. Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler (Do I have to share?)

4. Clean Eating Pumpkin Ice Cream

5. Pumpkin-Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies

6. Slower Cooker Sticky Caramel Pumpkin Cake

7. Pumpkin Creme Brulee (I love creme brulee!!)

8. Oatmeal Pumpkin Creme Pies

9. Pumpkin Cheesecake with Salted Caramel Sauce

10. White Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Fudge

11. Pumpkin Cheesecake Truffle (Low Carb!!)

12. Pumpkin Better Than... Cake (a poke cake!)

13. Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting (Good anytime of the year!)

14.Pumpkin Roll (No list would be complete with out a Pumpkin Roll recipe.)

Breakfast:

15. Pumpkin French Toast (yes, please.)

16. Pumpkin Donut Holes

17. The Best Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls (I'm drooling right now.)

18. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes

19. Starbucks Pumpkin Scone 

Pasta:

20. Skinny Pumpkin Pasta Bake

21. Creamy Pumpkin Prosciutto Rigatoni

22. Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake

Soups:

23. Pumpkin Chili

24. Low Carb Pumpkin Sausage Soup

25. Creamy Panera Autumn Squash Soup

26. Creamy Parmesan Pumpkin Soup

Breads:

27. Moist Pumpkin Bread

28. Pumpkin Cornbread

Beverages:

29. Crock Pot Pumpkin Spiced Latte (take a sip of that after a long day!!)

30. Pumpkin Pie Frappe (Drink your pie!!)

31.  Best Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte  (save you a bit of money :) )

32. Iced Pumpkin Spice Coffee

33. Skinny Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino 

Extras:

34. Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

35. Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer (Just another reason to drink coffee)

36. Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

37. Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispies (Kids will love these.)

I hope you get your fair share of pumpkin this Fall and everyday of the year. And don't forget to share the love of Pumpkin with those that you love. I hope you have a very happy Fall (and lots of Pumpkin). :)

Peace, Love, Bake on.

                                                   Andrea

What I'm reading: The Family Romanov by Candace Fleming

I just finished listening to The Family Romanov by Candace Fleming. I enjoyed this book immensely. I learned so much while reading this book. I thought I knew stuff about the Romanov's, more specifically Anastasia, but in reality I knew nothing. I had no idea what actually happened. I was pleasantly surprised. 

www.yainterrobang.com

I had no idea the disparity between the rich and poor. While listening to The Family Romanov, I learned that 1.5% of the population owned 90% of the money. I couldn't believe that; it's still hard for me to wrap my head around. 

I always thought I knew a few things about Russia and the Romanovs from watching the animated movie with Meg Ryan, Anastasia. Everything that I thought I knew was wrong. The movie has nothing that is historically accurate aside that there is a character name Anastasia and Rasputin. 

 While this book was nonfiction, it wasn't boring, full of sentences just stating facts. It read like a story. Candace Fleming would juxtapose the lives of the imperial Romanov family and the peasants. The two lived vastly different lives, and the ruler of all Russia was the oblivious to the fact. 

Would I highly recommend this book? YES. A big YES. I listened to this book and I really enjoyed it. On the audiobook I listened to, Kimberly Farr read the book, and she did a really good job. I also had the book and sometimes read a long and looked at all the photos that were included in the book. This book was written for young adults, but I think everyone high school or older would enjoy this book. I'd recommend this book to those who are interested in the World Wars or learning about royalty. 

                                                                         Andrea 

P.S. This books has also won several literary awards, which can be found here.