Busy, busy...

My apologies to any reader(s) out there.  Been a nutty 10 days. 

Dinner tonight:

Bucatini with Parmesan tomato cream sauce
Marinated grilled chicken
Caesar salad

Parmesan tomato cream sauce:

1 medium onion, chopped fine
3 cloves garlic, chopped fine and then smashed into paste (no salt)
3-4 Tbsp olive oil
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
3/4 cup grated parmesan
1/2 cup heavy cream
salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and italian seasoning blend to taste

Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium high heat.  Add onion and saute 8 to 10 minutes or until onions are golden, but not browned.  Add garlic and saute for one minute.  Add crushed tomatoes.  Add italian seasoning blend and red pepper flakes and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until tomatoes thicken slightly.  Reduce heat to low and add parmesan and cream, stirring well, and reheat thoroughly, but do not simmer.  Cook bucatini according to package directions, draining and retaining cooking water.  Add bucatini to sauce and mix well, addding pasta water to thin to desired consistency. 

Marinated chicken

Marinade:

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tsp italian seasoning
1/4 tsp each onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes
2 tsp mustard
1/2 cup vegetable oil
salt and pepper to taste

Mix ingredients as a vinaigrette, cover chicken in marinade.  Allow to rest at room temperature for 25 to 30 minutes.