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Cheesy Pasta and Chicken Gratin and the Flu

 
cheesy chicken pasta casserole

 

 

My
daughter calls me often. She makes me happy. Yesterday she told me she cloroxed
her desk. It appears many around her have been getting sick with the flu. She
then went to get a flu shot. It was good thinking on her part as Pennsylvannia
is considered a high risk state. And then she started feeling achy. And she
couldn’t lift her arm. And she went home from work-all because she got a flu
shot. And then she found out it doesn’t take effect for about two weeks. And
that was my fault-but she doesn’t blame me. Can a mother ever win?

 
 
Well, my
baby, if you were home I would take care of you. I would let you sleep in my
bed on the flannel sheets and I would bring you lots of hot tea. And I would
massage your feet and George would lay next to you, nudging Freddie out of the
way. And we would find a good movie to watch on TV and we would snuggle under
the down comforter. But you aren’t home and so I can only hope that you take
care of yourself which you have been doing. And you have been doing it sooo
well. But I wish I could be there to help. Like a mother does.
g2 1
George- Really Happy

 

george 1
And if
you were home I would make you this. It has all your favorites in it. Pasta and
chicken. Cheese and cheese. It is soothing on a cold winter day. I doubled it so it made a
lot which means I froze half for when you come home. I miss you sweetie. Be well.
Cheesy Chicken Pasta Casserole www.thisishowicook.com #casserole #chicken

 

 

Pasta and Chicken
Gratin (adapted from Gourmet Today)

(Serves 4-5)
Time to Make: About 20 minutes
Ingredients:
 1 roast chicken from the grocery
2 cups
chicken stock
Cheese Sauce and
Gratin
4 T butter
1 minced
garlic clove or maybe two
¼ c flour
1 ½ c milk
½ c crème fraiche or sour cream
Salt
½ t pepper
¼ t cayenne
1 t dried thyme
2 ½ c or
8 oz  grated gruyere or vintage gouda
3/4 c  finely shredded Parmigano Reggiano
½ lb
penne pasta
3 c fresh
bread crumbs
 
1 3 qt
buttered shallow gratin dish
Directions:
Pull meat
from chicken and reserve. Discard skin. (You could make your own poached
chicken and use the broth.)
 
Preheat
oven to 425 degrees with rack in center of oven.
 
Melt
butter in 4 qt heavy pot. Add garlic and whisk for 1 minute. Reduce heat to low
and add flour, and cook whisking for three minutes. You are making a roux. Add
milk and chicken stock whisking constantly while bringing to a boil. Reduce
heat and simmer, whisking frequently, until sauce is slightly thickened, about
10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in crème fraiche or sour cream, 1/2 t
salt, pepper, thyme, cayenne, 1 c gruyere and ¼ c parmesan.
 
Cook pasta
in a 4 qt pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Do not overcook. Drain
well and return to pot. Add chicken and sauce and toss to coat.
 
Toss
bread crumbs with remaining cheese and sprinkle evenly over pasta mixture. Bake
gratin until crumbs are golden brown and sauce is bubbling, 20-30 minutes. Let
stand for 10 minutes before serving.
 
Serve to
someone not feeling well and make their day.
Other Food for Sick People:
Chicken, Artichoke and Mushroom Casserole
Chicken Soup Chicken
Matzoh Ball Soup
Thai Chicken Noodle Soup 
Please share and pin for future use!

 

Cheesy Chicken Pasta Casserole www.thisishowicook.com #casserole #chicken
 

Abbe

Saturday 19th of January 2013

Thanks Natalie! It was really good and perfect for a weekend dinner.

Natalie

Saturday 19th of January 2013

Looks so delicious! Perfect meal for dinner!

Abbe

Friday 18th of January 2013

Make sure to substitute vegetable broth, too! Use good cheese and you may need to increase the pasta or decrease the amount of sauce.

Meirav

Tuesday 22nd of January 2013

Thanks, I will

meirav

Friday 18th of January 2013

Thanks. I don't eat chicken or any other meat at all. I don't think that kosher or not matters to Gabi or Ori, but I will stick to pasta & cheese alone because: a. we are used to not mixing cheese & chicken. I don't know if they will find it tasty b. so I can eat too :-)

Abbe

Thursday 17th of January 2013

Thanks Purabi. I'll have to check out your site, too. And Meirav if you leave out the chicken it will be kosher and still delicious! The shot thing is a tough call until you get the flu and feel worse I suppose.