Oh.my.gosh.
Can we talk about perfection for a quick minute? Because I’m pretty sure that’s what tonight’s evening involved in the Horan kitchen.
First, things started with some delicious Chardonnay that I sipped on while preparing dinner (it has been WAY too long since I enjoyed a glass of wine while cooking).
Then there was this absolutely incredible dinner…along with another glass of Chardonnay.
But about this dinner…what we’ve got right here is a healthy chicken and broccoli alfredo. Absolutely delicious.
I initially came across this recipe in my Every Day with Rachel Ray magazine for Skinny Fettuccini Alfredo a couple of weeks ago, and Jay and I have been dying to try it ever since. Well…tonight was the night.
I followed the directions for the sauce almost exactly, only making a few minor substitutions, but then I also added in some grilled chicken and roasted broccoli for some added protein and nutrients.
I also still had some leftover spaghetti squash in the fridge, so I made my bowl a mix of spaghetti squash + regular spaghetti (because we actually didn’t have any fettuccini on hand).
Jay and I are both major alfredo fans (especially him), and for being a healthier version, this dish definitely hit the spot. If you’re in the same boat as we are, then I’d totally recommend giving it a try!
And as if that wasn’t enough, I even did a little baking all while in the midst of cooking dinner.
Would you believe that I hoard Trader Joe’s items? (You may also remember that I like to hoard gourmet English muffins too, but anyway…). So get this…
That right there is a loaf of Trader Joe’s pumpkin bread, that was made with a mix that has been in my pantry since October 24, 2010. Yes, 2010. I bought it when a group of us made a road trip out to the TJ’s is Massachusetts, and I’m actually almost a little embarrassed that I still hadn’t used it up until tonight.
Even worse? I also still have an unopened bag of Powerberries that have been in the pantry since March 27, 2011, when Jay and I made another road trip out to Massachusetts. Seriously, what is wrong with me?
Does anyone else hoard goodies from anywhere, or am I the only cool kid who caught that memo?
Nicole says
I am such a hoarder also! I hoard cans of pumpkin. Your dinner looks so yummy!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I an not a hoarder. Mainly because I always rip open new food purchases immediately.
Michelle (Better with Berries) says
I’m not normally a hoarder of any item, because I hate clutter. But for some reason I do it with good foods!! My boyfriend’s mom got me a package of the keebler cookies that taste like Girl Scout Samoas and they have been sitting in my freezer ever since. I haven’t forgotten them. I just don’t want them to be eaten and then be gone! Because it’s not like I can go to the store and buy more or something… :-)
Lauren @ Chocolate, Cheese and Wine says
I’m a food hoarder too. I have jello and other things in my pantry from well over a year ago – I hope it doesn’t go bad.
Ashley @ Freckles & Spice says
Yes, I totally hoard! I save my fav snacks for a special/ perfect time and they stay around FOREVER. Or until my bf eats it because he thinks I’m not and then I freak out.
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
I was JUST wondering if my TJ’s pumpkin bread mix from the past fall is still good! I guess so! ;-)
My husband just mentioned to me recently how much he enjoys alfredo; I should definitely give this healthified version a try!
Courtney says
Wow that looks delicious! I definitely just bookmarked the link for the recipe and will have to try it soon! I totally hoard TJs stuff too, and for no good reason, especially since there is one nearby!
Lauren says
Haha, nope I am the same way. I currently have 3 jars of sunflower butter in my pantry that I WILL NOT share! :) Dinner looks outstanding.
Caroline @ After Dinner Dance says
There’s no Trader Joes near me in NH and I miss it so much! I’d totally hoard stuff to bring back home with me if I went somewhere near one!
Alyssa @ Fit and Fun in Third says
I’m such a hoarder with food supplies. And what is even worse is that whenever I’m making a new recipe I’ll go out and buy all the ingredients just assuming that there is no way we have them already… only to find out that we have numerous of the same spices, flavorings, etc.
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
Wine while cooking is one of the best things EVER! :) ….That dinner truly looks like perfection!
Clare says
Definitely a food hoarder – lots of canned goods and jars of peanut butter! Awesome looking dinner :)
Catherine says
OMG POWERBERRIES ARE DELICIOUS!!!!!
Carolyn says
I wouldn’t call myself a hoarder but maybe a stockpiler? :) And, I always seem to want to “save” my special things for special occasions… this is true for food, clothes, and pretty much everything in my life.
Lindsay @ Fuel My Family says
I recently went to TJs while i was on vacation and brought home tons of dry foods. My cabinet will be stocked for a while. I think I need to pretend like I am moving so I finally eat all my stashes out of my pantry!
Stellina says
If I don’t use/eat something right away I’ll usually forget about it! Usually though, I typically eat or use whatever the item is as soon as I get home. My patience tolerance is rather low, haha!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
That lightened up fettucini alfredo looks delicious!!!
Khushboo says
I hoard clothes in a bad way- it’s so hard for me to give stuff away evenwhen I know I’ll never wear it!
Leah says
Courtney!! My mouth is seriously watering. I need to make that soon!
Ashlee @ A Step in the Right Direction says
I found a bunch a mixes in my pantry the other day and was trying to figure out why I had not used any yet. I always look at them and think “I should not make them now I might need them some other time”
I like to hoard girl scout cookies. I don’t eat all of them, but my freezer is full of different kinds and I still always order from someone every year.
Carrie says
I can never wait that long- if I buy a new to me product Im always dying to try it that same day! :)
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Wow, that dinner really does look delicious! I tried making a “healthier” alfredo dish before, and it didn’t go very well. :/ Maybe it’s time to try again!
Courtney says
Reading this post made me feel a little better about my glass of Riesling that was ohsogood while cooking dinner last night! Hey, I did the dishes too.. a girl needs rewards, right?! I also hoard food, mostly baking items (like that bread). Especially if it’s something so good, I always want to wait for the perfect time/occasion to make it. That time usually never comes and I end up making it 2 years later on a random Saturday morning for just the hubs and I! :)
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
I am most definitely a food hoarder. I have things like that stored in my pantry too. I don’t know why I don’t use it as soon as I buy it!
You dinner looks amazing! Alfredo sauce is my fiance’s favorite and I’m always looking for ways to make it healthier. I’m definitely going to try this recipe! :)
Nicole says
This recipe looks awesome! I am in the midst of a “self-imposed two-week, make heatlhy meals with whatever you have on hand, to learn to be more resourceful” challenge… I was just wondering how I can best utilize one of the last bags of frozen broccoli that I have on hand – can’t wait to try it out! :)
Erin says
I’m a total hoarder of PB2 jars, Vitatops and Kemps frozen yogurt! It’s embarrassing….but I’d rather be embarrassed than run out hahaha!!
Amanda says
Fun coincidence- October 24, 2010 is my wedding date! I was in Northampton getting married while you were down the road gathering TJ’s products to hoard!
I, too, hoard TJ’s stuff. Even though there are many in the area and I can go whenever, I still find fun things and pick them up, put them in the pantry and promptly forget about them. Or want to save them for …*something.* I bought a pumpkin pancake/waffle mix from TJ’s back in September that I still haven’t used! And every time I go, I have to buy at least 2 or 3 boxes of mochi ice cream so I’ve got it in stock!
Ali @ Around the VeggieTable says
Ah I hoard the good stuff too! We don’t live close to a Trader Joe’s, so whenever I go I’m all like, “I have no idea when I’ll be going back so I better not use this for a while!” Which actually makes NO sense lol. I have some bread and desserty type mixes in the back of my pantry from 2010. Shhh.
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
Powerberries hardly last in my apartment for more than a day…let alone a year! Eat ’em, or send ’em my way! ;)
Karen says
I am not a big alfredo fan but this looked so good and the fact that it was a healthy version of alfredo, I made it lastnight. My boyfriend loves alfredo so I have been wanting to make it for him. It was delicious. I read your post, saw the picture of your dinner and printed it out and went to the store on the way home from work…I just had to have it…LOL
Courtney says
That is SO awesome, haha! I’m glad you liked it!!