Penne with Treviso & Goat's Cheese

I've made Giada's road trip penne recipe a few times with great success.  I keep forgetting to take photos but want to share the recipe with you anyways.  It's yuuummmmyyyy!!!!

Ingredients

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, halved
• 1 pound treviso or radicchio, chopped (about 4 cups)
• 3 packed cups (3 ounces) baby spinach
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan
• 1 1/2 cups (11 ounces) goat cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup basil leaves, torn

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.

In a 12-inch skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlicand cook until fragrant and golden, about 1 minute. Remove the garlic and discard.

Add the treviso, spinach, chicken stock, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of salt, and red pepper flakes. Cook until the treviso and spinach until wilted, about 6 to 8 minutes.

Add the pasta and Parmesan. Toss well and thin out the sauce with a little pasta water, if needed. Season with salt, to taste.

Transfer the penne to serving bowls. Top each portion with the crumbled goat cheese and garnish with basil before serving.

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever!

I haven't baked in a long time because I will eat all of what I bake.  However, yesterday I didn't care.  I had a need for chocolate (not unusual)!!  Thanks to Allrecipes.com for the best chocolate chip cookies ever my cravings were fulfilled.  Seriously people, they are the best!  I made 12 very large cookies and froze the rest of the batter for another time - another craving.  


Look at how delicious they look!  Trust me when I say it's pure cookie heaven. :) 

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons hot water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with salt. Stir in flour, chocolate chips, and nuts. Drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.
3. Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are nicely browned.

Happy baking!