Mint and Spinach Pesto Chicken Pasta

 Perfect Pairing:  The best Pandora station for cooking, dining, and chilling 

One of my favorite summer shows is So You Think You Can Dance.  I don’t think I have missed an episode in 11 seasons.  Granted, I probably fast forward through 50% of it (the judges), but I don’t miss a dance.  I even watch my favorites a few times before it is deleted from my DVR.  I used to find a lot of new music on the show, but that doesn’t seem to be the case in recent years for some reason.  There are only a couple songs on repeat on my phone from this season, Like Real People Do by Hozier and Valerie by Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse. 

Valerie is not a new song, but I had a renewed love for it when I heard it on the show.  It put me in the mood for Amy Winehouse so I tried out her Pandora station.  I was obsessed.  It is a great mix of Amy, Adele, Ray Charles, Norah Jones, Temptations, Ben E. King and many others.  It is just the ticket for cooking, eating, and just hanging out with friends because it is upbeat but not exhausting.  It is my new go-to.

Want to try out that new station while cooking?  Make Mint and Spinach Pesto Chicken Pasta!  You won’t be sorry.  It is super fresh and a nice change from standard pesto.  It is also a great dish to make if you have a thriving mint plant.

The pesto is a mix of fresh mint and spinach (you could also use a mix of spinach and arugula), fresh parmesan, and pine nuts.  The pesto is tossed with pasta and sweet peas and then topped with grilled chicken.  Simple and delicious.

One year ago on Perfecting the Pairing: Chorizo and Potato Frittata

Two years ago on Perfecting the Pairing:  Southwest Salad

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Lemon Orzo Salad

Perfect Pairing: Summer Songs

I made this salad for my family over vacation and it was a hit.   The almonds give it a little crunch, cranberries a little sweetness, and the lemon dressing keeps it fresh.  Quick, simple, delish. 

I like to cook my orzo in chicken broth to give it some depth, but that is optional.  You can certainly use water or veggie broth if you are keeping it vegetarian.

It has been awhile since I provided some tune suggestions.  Overdue!  Below are my personal songs of the summer.  I have listened to each of them an obnoxious amount of times.  I just got a new car that lets me plug in my iphone.  Life changer.  

Make Me Crazy, Brett Dennen and Femi Kuti – No surprise I like this one, it has a great reggae feel to it.

Addicted, Morgan Page and Greg Laswell – I’m addicted to this song.  On repeat.

Pressing on a Bruise, Brad Paisley and Matt Kearny – I am on a major country kick this summer.  Can’t get enough of it!

Springsteen, Eric Church – My dad introduced me to this song.  That was a new experience!  I was proud of him.  Side note for the ladies…. Notice Eric in the hat and sunglasses at towards the end.  That alone makes this worth watching.  Smokin.  I’m a sucker for a guy in a ball cap.

Don’t Ya, Brett Eldredge – He’s not hard on the eyes either…

 

Cold Chicago, Humming House - I hate thinking about Chicago being cold, but this song is so fun.  It is hard to not tap your toe to this one.

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Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Perfect Pairing:  Fall music

 

My parents just moved into a new home and I went for a quick visit to see the (almost) finished house and to help them get settled.  As it turned out I was WAY too distracted by the new kitchen to do much settling and unpacking.  I did definitely break in the kitchen for them.

I don’t know if it was the gorgeous views from the kitchen windows but I was totally inspired to make something utterly fall-like and pumpkin-y.  Can you blame me?

 

 The base of the cupcake is a spice cake mix and 100% canned pumpkin.  There is no oil or fat added, which makes me feel slightly better about them.  Might as well top them off with cream cheese frosting.  Hey, I used light cream cheese.

If you are in the mood for a great fall dessert, try out these cupcakes.  They were perfect.  Just the right amount of pumpkin and fall spices.

The Perfect Pairing for these cupcakes is some really relaxing fall music.  Nothing about this music is specifically “autumn-like” but it is perfect background music while cooking.  Something about fall is very subtle and relaxing and this music is perfect.  Please note, I have not reviewed the videos, I am purely commenting on the music.

Such Great Heights - The Section Quartet

Piano Solo -Ennio Morricone

Minor Swing – Rachel Portman

Christofori’s Dream - David Lanz

Breathe - Greg Maroney

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Corn and Avocado Salsa

Perfect Pairing:  Danza Kuduro- Don Omar and Lucenzo

I absolutely love summer in Chicago.  I want to soak up every minute of it and I always worry that it is going by too fast and I am missing something.  Everything is in bloom, everyone is friendly and in a good mood.  Summer is the time for barbeques and al fresco dining.  I am trying to take full advantage of the weather by having as many get togethers on my patio as possible. 

This salsa is perfect for any summer party.  The ingredients pair really well together and just taste like summer.  It is different from your standard salsa because there are no tomatoes but I like having the bulk of the dip be corn and avocado.  It reminds me of the corn salsa at Chipotle restaurant.  The corn is sweet and crunchy and the avocados are creamy and rich.  It makes a big batch but would be great leftover on some grilled chicken or fish.

The Perfect Pairing for this salsa is Danza Kuduro by Don Omar and Lucenzo.  I first heard this song at a Zumba class and I was obsessed with figuring out what it was so I could download it.  As soon as this song starts playing I feel like dancing and eating salsa.  I may or may not do the Zumba routine in my living room when it comes on.  It is also great on the treadmill when you need a jumpstart. 

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Caramelized Onion, Fontina, and Prosciutto Flatbread

Perfect Pairing: Great music

I struggled with the name of this recipe.  There is so much I want you to know about it!  In addition to the caramelized onion, fontina, and prosciutto there are chopped dates and a salad of fresh greens.  I could not figure out how to make all of those things fit in the title. 

I made this for a recent get together with my girlfriends.  We all loved it.  I look forward to those nights so much.  We always have so much to catch up on with each other’s lives.  There is never enough time to cover all of the topics.  I talked about our planning process in this post.  We always have a delicious spread, this night was no different.  We all end up hanging around my island and munching on the dishes.  By the end of the night it is a bit of a mess but you can tell we enjoyed ourselves!

I absolutely loved this flatbread.  It had the perfect combination of sweet and salty.  The salad on top adds a brightness that pairs nicely with the rich cheese and prosciutto.  I will definitely be making this again.

The Perfect Pairing for this flatbread is great music.  Great music is a must at any party, in my opinion.  My absolute favorite group right now is Mumford and Sons.  I think they are pretty well known, but I feel like I need to promote them to those folks who don’t know them yet.  I dare you to listen to them and not tap your toe.  When I hear Mumford and Sons I feel like I am in a pub in the Temple Bar district of Dublin.  Some of my favorite songs are listed below with YouTube links if you are interested in listening to them before committing to an iTunes purchase.

If you like Mumford and Sons you would probably also like the City and Colour album, Bring Me Your Love.  I ran across this group on Pandora and found myself “liking” their songs over and over.  They have a great laid back sound that is perfect for background party music.  Admittedly, their lyrics are pretty depressing so I suggest just focusing on the melody.  That is why it is perfect for background music!

One final favorite is Galway Girl by Mundy and Sharon Shannon.  This song was wildly popular when I was in Dublin a few years ago.  Just listening to it makes me want to go back to Ireland.  I was in Dublin for work and extended a few days to experience Dublin and the Cliffs of Moher.  I was ridiculously lucky with the weather at the cliffs (so I am told).  Check out that view.

Loved this guy on the streets of Dublin.

Mumford and Sons

Roll Away Your Stone

Little Lion Man

Sigh No More

Awake My Soul

The Cave

Who am I kidding??  The entire album is fantastic.

City and Colour

The Girl

Sleeping Sickness

Against the Grain

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Olive Crostini

Perfect Pairing:  Party Music

I can’t count how many times I have made this olive crostini recipe.  It is my “go to” appetizer whenever I am having a get together.  I love the combination of salty olives, spicy pepper jack cheese, and nutty parmesan.  It is so easy to throw together and is always a hit.  You can even make the olive mixture ahead of time and broil the crostini right before serving.

The Perfect Pairing for olive crostini is the perfect party music!  When I entertain I spend a lot of time thinking about the atmosphere in addition to the food that I am going to serve.  Music is key!  I am a big fan of Pandora.  If you have not used Pandora, you should start.  I love that I don’t have to buy/download new music or have to make a playlist of songs before a party.  I like to have an eclectic mix of tunes.  My party mix is a combination of the following Pandora stations:  Frank Sinatra, Joshua Radin, Madeleine Peyroux, Spanish Guitar, Salsa, Mumford and Sons, Blue Six, UB40, Van Morrison, Jason Mraz, and Contemporary Reggae.  Of course, maybe not all of those at once.  You have to know your audience!

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Thai Chicken Pasta

Perfect Pairing: Joshua Radin

I have been making variations of this Thai Chicken Pasta for years.  It is one of my all-time favorite recipes.  It was the first meal I made in my tiny studio apartment when I moved to Chicago seven years ago.  I don’t know how it is possible that I have been here for seven years.  Yikes!

This recipe is really versatile and can be adjusted to suit your tastes.  If you like spicy go with hot salsa, or increase the amount of peanut butter if you want more of a peanut sauce.  The sauce is also fantastic on pizza.  I still use the chicken, red peppers, and green onions but I top off everything with mozzarella.

This is a great go-to recipe when you have company coming over because it does not need any babysitting.  Just throw everything together and enjoy your company and a glass of wine.

The Perfect Pairing for this great recipe is some really great music.  Joshua Radin is perfect for a low-key party or dinner.  He has a silky voice and his songs are catchy.  I first heard him when the photographer from my brother’s wedding used his song, I’d Rather Be With You, on their wedding slideshow.  I loved the song the first time I heard it.  Some other favorites are You Got Growin’ Up to Do, Brand New Day, and They Bring Me to You. 

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Bacon, Pineapple and Boursin Puff Pastry Bites

Perfect Pairing: Madeleine Peyroux music

When I was in college I studied for a semester in Nice, France.  I lived right on the Promenade Des Anglais and thought I was a pretty big deal.  Never mind the fact that I lived in a one bedroom (sometimes roach infested) apartment with three other girls.  It was the high life.  We thought we were so cool.  We would use our minimal French skills to ask the nice man at the grocery store which wine would be best with our baguette, and then buy the stuff in the plastic bottle anyway.  

One of my favorite fancy French food items to buy at the local store was this amazing garlic and herb cheese.  It was great on everything!  I sure was going to miss that when I went back to the Midwest.  Imagine my surprise when I saw the very same cheese at the grocery store in my hometown of about 7,000 people.  So… maybe Boursin cheese was not as special as I thought.   Even though Boursin lost its exotic appeal, I still love it.  I especially love the fact that they have a light version that tastes just as good as the stuff I enjoyed on the rocky beach in Nice.  Garlic and herb Boursin cheese gives great flavor to this appetizer along with bacon, pineapple,curry, and Monterey Jack Cheese.  Nestle all of that yumminess in puff pastry and you have one tasty appetizer. 

The Perfect Pairing for this appetizer is the beautiful music of Madeleine Peyroux.  She is one of my favorite artists to play at a dinner party.  She has an old-fashioned voice that reminds me of Billie Holiday.  Like my beloved Boursin, she is of French descent and sings a few songs in French.  I would highly recommend her albums Half the Perfect World and Careless Love. 

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Caribbean Bean Puree

Perfect Pairing:  Bob Marley, Legend Album

The ingredient list for this recipe may seem a little strange.  Black beans and bananas?  You are just going to have to trust me on this one.  This Caribbean Bean Puree is SO yummy.  I love beans in any form but I think this is my all-time favorite bean dish.  I know it seems strange, but give it a try.  There is just a hint of banana flavor which is balanced by the garlic, shallots, cumin and lime juice.

The Perfect Pairing for this recipe is my all-time, number one, absolute favorite album…. Bob Marley’s, Legend.  I have already professed my love for all things Caribbean on this blog, so I am sure this comes as no surprise.  Even if you are not a reggae fan you will love this album.  It has many of his iconic classics like I Shot the Sherriff, Could You Be Loved, and my personal favorite, Three Little Birds.  It is the perfect thing to listen to while making and enjoying this dish. 

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Tropical Rice

Perfect Pairing:  Tomorrow People – Ziggy Marley (click to listen)

I have a slight obsession with all things tropical in nature.  When I was 10 or 11 years old my mom and dad brought me a cassette tape from the Bahamas with some local music.  I was hooked, really hooked.   I wore that poor tape out.  I saw the Caribbean blue waters for the first time in person when I was in jr. high and the obsession just multiplied.  I dream about tropical vacations all the time, listen to reggae music more than is normal, and love to make tropical food to remind me of island life.

This Tropical Rice is full of beachy flavors and is the perfect accompaniment to fish or chicken.  I use brown rice and light coconut milk to keep it healthy.

The Perfect Pairing for this recipe is the song Tomorrow People by Ziggy Marley.  Ziggy Marley is the son of the great Bob Marley and you can definitely tell when you listen to him.  His voice is eerily similar to his legendary father.  This song evokes sandy beaches, hot sunshine, fruity drinks and azure waters.  Ahhh…

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Summer Tomato Sauce

Perfect Pairing:  Anything You Want – Jason Mraz (click to listen)

I love summer.  I love the weather, the produce, the sounds, the events, the entire attitude of summer.  Living in Chicago means you take full advantage of those few precious months.  That is why there are always multiple street fests going on every weekend. 

This recipe just tastes like summer to me.  It is so simple to make but full of flavors like sweet tomatoes, fresh basil and roasted garlic.  It is the perfect topping for grilled fish or chicken or even on some crusty bread.  Anything you want!  Which leads me into my Perfect Pairing…..

The Perfect Pairing for this recipe is the song, Anything You Want by Jason Mraz.  If this sauce tastes like summer, this song sounds like summer.  I have been a Jason Mraz fan for a long time.  He is so talented and his music is always fun.  He is a great performer so I try to go to his concerts whenever he is in town.  The last concert was out of this world.  He performed at Northerly Island on a gorgeous night in August.  Northerly Island is an awesome venue in Chicago with great views of the skyline.  The picture below is from that concert.  How gorgeous??

If you know me, you know I am a huge reggae fan.  It makes perfect sense since I grew up on a farm in the Midwest, right?   Anyway, at the concert Jason (we’re on a first name basis) sang this song.  At the time I had never heard it and was immediately obsessed since it had that reggae feel.  I looked it up as soon as I got home but it was nowhere to be found!!   Apparently it was unreleased.  It was my good fortune that he made a live album from that concert I attended and now I can listen to it whenever I want.  You might also like his version of Lionel Richie’s,  All Night Long that is on the same album.  Lots of fun.

I’m telling you, make the sauce, throw it on top of anything you want, listen to the song and you will feel the warm breezes of summer!  They sure are fleeting.

Summer Tomato Sauce

Lindsay at Perfecting the Pairing

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

·         2 Tb. Olive oil

·         4 to 6 garlic cloves, smashed

·         2 pints of grape tomatoes, halved

·         Salt and pepper to taste

·         Fresh basil, torn

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.  Add the smashed garlic cloves and cook in the oil until soft and lightly browned.  Add the sliced tomatoes and cook over medium-low heat until the tomatoes have broken down and reached a sauce consistency.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Remove from heat and stir in the fresh basil.  Serve over grilled fish, chicken or crostini.

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Parmesan Thyme Crackers

Perfect Tune Pairing: Volare by the Gipsy Kings

I am a sucker for cheese and crackers, cheese and wine, cheese and bread… you get the picture.  Last Summer I made my own crackers for the first time (stay tuned for the original cracker recipe) and it was a revelation.  They were fun to make, easy and delicious.  These Parmesan Thyme Crackers are no exception. 

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