A Tasteful Experience

We were pleased to have been invited to participate in "A Tasteful Experience." The function was held to benefit Clara Maass Medical Center and it was a great success with close to 400 people in attendance. Pam and I baked for several days to prepare for this event (special 'thank you' shout out to Obie for helping us prepare and working the event with us). Our dishes included: chocolate cake with praline filling, spice cake with brown sugar swiss meringue, french macarons (vanilla bean, guava, mocha, and raspberry), cake truffles (red velvet, hazelnut, key lime, and pistachio), apple frangipane, sweet and salty chocolate chip cookies, and pumpkin whoopie pies.

We were lucky enough to get a few minutes to walk around the savory side of the event and taste some amazing dishes from local restaurants. Normally I wouldn't post a savory dish here, but I was blown away by Nanina's sauces (available at Wholefoods and other select supermarkets or online). Here is their recipe for Polla a la Vodka:

1 Jar Nanina's Vodka Sauce (has the perfect amount of tang!)
1 lb. Rigatoni
1 lb. Chicken Breast
2 oz. Sweet Butter
1/2 medium Spanish Onion (diced)
Peas (frozen)
Vegetable Oil

Directions:

• Lightly flour chicken breasts.
• Preheat thin layer of vegetable oil in large saute pan on medium flame. Place chicken breasts in pan and saute until lightly browned. Once browned, add onions. Once onions are lightly browned, add peas and butter. After 1 minute add Nanina's Vodka sauce, cover, simmer until sauce is hot.
• Cook rigatoni pasta al dente and drain. Once pasta is done, pour saute pan contents over pasta and enjoy.

I love meals that only take a few dishes!