LA PASTA

the story:
i have no idea what the name of this dish is.
my cousin, shannon, gave me the recipe when i was 16.
i can't keep my fingers off of the leftovers, let alone the day of cooking.
(don't worry, when i make it for others i duct tape my mouth shut to avoid germ sharing)
sean's mission president, now a general authority (church leadership), came with his wife for dinner at our house when brennan was 6 weeks old.
i made this.

after "president" (what sean still calls him) went back for seconds, hermana alonzo asked sean to ask me (she doesn't speak english, made for an interesting night) to get my recipe for "la pasta" b/c "president" never goes back for seconds.

i was beaming in my chair.

and from then on it has been called "LA PASTA" in our house.

from our kitchen to yours,

i give you

LA PASTA!!!

ingredients:

16 oz rigatoni

1 stick butter

1/2 c flour

1 c milk

1 can chicken broth

3 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded

1/2lb mushrooms, sliced

3/4 c half & half

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 c Parmesan

3/4 c sliced almonds

directions:

1. cook chicken {3-4 chicken breasts}

2. cook pasta, drain, set aside.

3. while pasta is cooking, melt butter in large sauce pan {keep on low medium heat entire time}

4. whisk milk {not half and half} and flour until smooth, stir into butter once melted, add chicken broth, stirring constantly {if lumpy, use whisk to stir until smooth}.

5. add half & half, stir until smooth and thickened.

6. add salt, nutmeg, chicken, mushrooms, and rigatoni.

7. put into baking greased baking dish.

8. bake COVERED at 350* for 35 minutes, then stir.

9. sprinkle Parmesan and almonds, bake 15 min. more UNCOVERED.

...

mark my words, 

your mouth will love you:)