Bayou Pasta

Setting: My humble abode, Saturday April 10th, 4 P.M.

Characters: Me, the doting mother and girlfriend who aims to please; Darling Boyfriend, the indecisive yet voraciously hungry man; Gamer Boy, the indifferent food critic; Dancing Queen, the refined lady with an exceptionally discriminating palate; and Little Buddy, the avid, enthusiastic, albeit stubborn, food connoisseur.

Conflict: Bella di Cucina (that's Me) is pitted against her family as the tension rises over what to fix for Saturday dinner

Plot: Bella di Cucina knows that she has a freezer full to the brim with enticingly versatile chicken breasts. She announces to her family that Saturday dinner must include the poultry. Darling Boyfriend announces that it makes no difference to him what is served, but Gamer Boy insists upon gumbo. Dancing Queen fiercly cries for beef stroganoff, while Little Buddy clamors for anything with tomato sauce. What to do? Bella di Cucina must keep her family happy and well fed, and yet, the task ahead seems impossible. Suddenly, it comes to her: a meal that will save them all. Enough to satisfy Darling Boyfriend's taste buds, Gamer Boy's need for a Creole connection, Dancing Queen's love of noodles covered in creamy sauce, and Little Buddy's desire for tangy tomato:

Bayou Pasta

8 oz Turkey Smoked Sausage, sliced into 1/4" pieces
1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken, cubed
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp coarse ground peppercorn
1 tsp ground cumin
1 clove garlic, minced
1 large onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 tsp crushed basil
1 lb Roma tomatoes, diced OR 15 oz can diced tomatoes
1 30-oz can tomato sauce (I use Hunt's spicy)
1/2 tbs oregano
1 pint fat free half and half cream
16 oz whole-wheat penne, cooked accordng to package directions
Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (optional)

1. Heat large stock pot over medium high heat. Spray liberally with cooking spray. Add sausage, chicken, cayenne, black pepper, cumin, garli, onion, green pepper, and basil.

2. Cook, stirring occasionally, until clear juices run from chicken. Add tomatoes. Increase heat to high; bring to boiling. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer 15 minutes.

3. Add tomato sauce. Stir in oregano Increase heat to high; bring to boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer 15-20 minutes.

4. Add fat free half and half. Increase heat to medium high. Heat through. Add pasta, stirring to coat. Serve garnished with Monterey Jack cheese if desired.