And First, there was Pasta!

I remember my father doing most of the cooking while growing up, and the very first dish I learned to make, was the Famous Pasta Dish! Versatile in many ways, eaten by almost every person on earth.

Even though I'm not from Italian descent, I could feel the inner Italian flaring up and taking over in the kitchen.  Different flavors, aromas and textures filled our home.  School was a drag, as it was for most kids (I mean in the 90's: Technology Duckface Selfies and Filters wasn't a thing yet!). After school, homework came ... Then glorious Supper!

My father was a wizard.  Creating stunning food/artwork out of almost nothing. I watched as he meticulously added different herbs and spices.  Short before long, dinner was served and my taste buds were satisfied. One particular dish stood out above the rest, Creamy Chicken Tagliatelli! Now the ingredients are plain and simple, yet elegant and tasty.

Creamy Chicken Tagliatelle (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

500g Tagliatelle  

4tsp Olive Oil

1 or 2 Large Onions

1 Bell Pepper

Garlic to taste

4 Chicken Breasts

Dried Mixed Herbs

Dried Italian Herbs

Salt & Pepper to taste

Fresh Chillies for Bite (optional)

Cherry / Italian Tomatoes

Italian Parsley

Method:

Bring a pot of water to boil, add 1 teaspoon of table salt and 2 teaspoons of Olive Oil (The Olive Oil will help the pasta not to stick to each other).

Add pasta to boiling Pot & cook till al dente.

Once the Pasta is cooked, drain the water, and rinse with cold water. 

Set aside.

While the pasta is cooking, in a Sauce Pan, heat olive oil.

Brown diced onions in pan until golden brown.

Add Garlic, herbs, chopped Chillies, Salt & Pepper and diced Bell Pepper.

Halve the Tomatoes and add to pan, stir  for 2 minutes.

Cut the Chicken into cubes of 2-3cm's / strips, add to pan and stir until cooked.

(I usually add some chicken stock to the pan and put the lid on - this helps the chicken to cook thoroughly, without being dry!)

Simmer for about 5 minutes / until cooked.

About 2 minutes before dishing up, add the Sour Cream and gently fold into the Chicken.

Ready to Eat!