Creamy Pesto Pasta

We love pesto, whether it's on a panini, pizza, hamburgers, or in pasta, it is tasty.  This is a yummy pesto pasta that we just love!


I make this recipe of pesto ahead of time because it freezes great!  I divide pesto into 2-3 storage containers and freeze. 


Creamy Pesto Pasta
3/4 c. pesto
1/2 c. heavy cream
2 T. butter
1/4 c. Grated Parmesan
12 oz. pasta
2 whole Tomatoes, Diced (optional)


Cook pasta al dente.
Heat cream and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add pesto and stir.
Drain pasta and place in a serving bowl. Pour pesto cream over the top. Toss to combine. Add diced tomatoes and toss quickly. Serve immediately.

Posted by Ree | The Pioneer Woman on June 6 2011

Recipe Source: adapted from The Pioneer Woman

Copycat Paradise Bakery Chipotle Chicken Paninis

We love Paradise Bakery!  This is one of our favorite sandwiches.  We recreated it at home and are in love with it!


I use this focaccia bread recipe, but you could substitute it for a store-bought ciabatta or sourdough bread. 

• deli-sliced chicken or turkey
• applewood-smoked bacon
• cheddar
• liquid smoke (can be found near A-1)
• tomatoes
• chipotle mayo spread (see recipe below)
• 1 loaf focaccia bread

Chipotle Mayo
1/2 c. mayo
2 chipotle chilis in adobo sauce (can found in Mexican isle)
1 T. adobo sauce in chipotle chilis
In a food processer or blender, combine ingredients until well blended. Set aside.


Cut bread into the sizes you would like your sandwiches to be.  If using the focaccia bread, I bake, allow to cool slightly, carefully cut horizontally, and cut into 4-5 large pieces.  Begin to build your sandwiches: layer chicken, bacon, cheddar.  In a small dish, add a few dashes of liquid smoke.  Using a baking brush, brush a small amount of liquid smoke onto cheese. Add tomato on top of cheese and finish off with spreading on the chipotle mayo.  Leave the sandwiches open-faced.  Bake and 350 for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Serve with extra mayo if desired. 


Recipe Source: allrecipes.com for Chipotle Mayo

Foccacia Bread

I like to use this bread for paninis. I bake it, allow to cool slightly, then slice horizontally very carefully, and cut loaf into 4 large pieces. 


Easy Foccacia

• 1/2 Tbsp. dry active yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups flour
• 2 Tbps. melted butter
• Italian seasonings

1. Place yeast, water, sugar, and salt in bowl and stir until dissolved.
2. Add flour and stir until well blended. Do not knead. Cover and let rise until double in size (about 1 hour).
3. Remove dough from bowl and place into a well greased 9×13 baking dish. Don’t worry about being perfect; you’re going for rustic look.  You want indentations all over the dough.  Drizzle melted butter over the dough.  Use a brush if needed to coat the entire top.
4. Now sprinkle the top with desired seasonings.  
5. Let rise an additional hour. Then bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees and cook for an additional 15 minutes or until golden.

Recipe source: Real Mom Kitchen