Do you ever just browse Pinterest for fun? Do you ever find yourself in trouble because you have gone thru endless pages because of the endless scroll in Pinterest and suddenly it’s been over and hour and your clothes are still not folded? That was me yesterday. I just wanted to check out a couple of other ideas for meals, just in case I saw something new… and an hour passed during precious naptime – when I can actually be productive – and my clothes definitely didn’t get folded. Oh well, there’s always today!!!! Plus, the weather yesterday was beyond beautiful, and we just HAD to spend a lot of the afternoon outside. I knew today was gonna be a bit gloomy… and it is!

One of my favorite chefs to watch on TV is Giada. She has a very good way to cook… she uses REAL ingredients, and just eats smaller portions. I’m still working on the smaller portions thing, but I agree with the using REAL ingredients. Even Dr. Oz has agreed that a lot of the “low fat, fat free, low cal” stuff adds chemicals and things not good for you, instead of you putting just smaller amounts of real food into your body. I try to use wholesome ingredients, as well as filling ingredients. I also try to have lighter and smaller meals throughout the day. Instead of 2 additional BIG meals, I have 3 or 4 small, snack like meals that are light and filling, and a bit higher in fiber and protein to keep me from picking junk food when I’m “STARVING”! 🙂

This dinner is not light in calories, but it IS full of AMAZING flavor! And this one has enough protein that with a smaller portion, you’ll still be satisfied!

My dish is a version of Giada’s recipe here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/ravioli-with-balsamic-brown-butter-recipe.html?soc=sharingpinterest

I changed more than 3 ingredients, so the recipe below is mine, but it was more than inspired by her recipe listed above. 🙂

18 to 20 ounces store-bought fresh refrigerated ravioli (cheese, mushroom, or squash) (if frozen, the cooking directions are different)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup toasted, chopped walnuts (optional)
2 chicken tenderloins
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 TB – 1/4 cup white wine for deglazing pan – optional
1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the ravioli and cook 4 to 5 minutes, until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally. Drain ravioli and drizzle with 1-2 tsp olive oil to keep from sticking together. Place onto serving plate, or into a bowl and set aside.

Drizzle 2 TB olive oil into skillet and place the 2 diced chicken tenderloins into the skillet. Sprinkle with garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Cook until no longer pink (5 min approx.) and remove from pan and set aside. Place skillet back on stove and deglaze with the white wine to get all the “yummy bits” off of the bottom of the pan.

Then, cook the butter in that skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally. When the foam subsides, and the butter begins to turn a golden brown, about 3 minutes, turn off the heat. Let cool for about 1 minute. Stir in the white and regular balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Transfer the ravioli and the diced chicken to the pan saucepan with the balsamic brown butter. Sprinkle walnuts (optional) and Parmesan over the top. Serve immediately.

This one was QUITE delicious! I never would have thought pairing balsamic vinegar and butter would be so delicious, but it REALLY REALLY is!!! Give this one a try for sure!!

And now, for the quote of the day, I picked something I think of daily: