BBQ Chicken Stuffed Shells

Some of the best meals seem to come from those nights when you have to wing it based on what is in the fridge, because nobody has the energy to run to the store for something specific.  In my book, any excuse to use BBQ sauce is a good excuse, so this worked out smashingly for me.  ;)

BBQ Chicken Stuffed Shells

 (Serves 4)

1 pkg large gluten free pasta shells (I used Tinkyada, by far my favourite)

12 oz cream cheese, softened
1 egg

2 chicken breasts
salt, pepper, and onion powder to taste

1/3 C mushrooms, diced
2 green onions, diced
1/4 C olives (I used a mix of green & black), pitted and diced
2 T parmesan cheese
1 t Italian seasoning mix

1/3 C BBQ sauce
1/2 C shredded cheddar cheese

Pre-cook the pasta shells according to the box instructions, but remove from heat and drain when they are just slightly undercooked.  You want them to be pliable enough to stuff, but not so cooked that they will get mushy or fall apart when they are baked.

While the pasta is cooking, sauté the 2 chicken breasts, liberally seasoned with salt, pepper, and onion powder, in a small amount of olive oil.  Remove from pan and let rest for a few minutes once they are cooked through.  Toss the mushrooms and green onions into the pan the chicken just vacated and sauté until golden brown, then remove from heat.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and egg until egg is fully incorporated.  Add mushroom and onion mixture, olives, parmesan cheese and one of the chicken breasts, diced.  Mix well and season with Italian seasoning mixture.

Divide filling mixture amongst the partially cooked pasta shells and place them, filling side up, in a lightly greased 9x13 pan.  Thinly sliced remaining chicken breast and scatter on top of the shells.  Drizzle BBQ sauce over the chicken, then scatter cheddar cheese on top.  Cook in 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is melted and slightly browned on top.  I hear a rumour this made smashing leftovers!

Tour de Fleece, days 21-23

Sadly, the Tour always comes to a close with a bit of a whimper for me.  The ending weekend always falls the same weekend as the big, annual bellydance festival here in Seattle, and I spend more time performing and hooting and hollering for my friends than I do spinning.  Ah, well.  There is always more spinning time, the festival only happens once a year!

The most recent club offering from Southern Cross Fibres snuck onto the wheel after I finished plying David's Gift, mostly out of sheer laziness.  I wanted to spin, but didn't have an empty bobbin for more Bug's Life, wanted to ply Ribbons, but still don't have a Lazy Kate for a 3-bobbin ply, so.......I grabbed the fibre nearest the wheel and went with it.  This one is a nice, deep, rich bunch of blues and purples and a bit of blue that I think will work well for fingerless mitts for at least one lucky guy this Christmas (maybe two, depending on yardage).  I've never spun Texel before, in spite of having had a club offering marinating in my stash for the past year and it was a very nice surprise.  Super, super fluffy, easy to draft, it almost spins itself.  I'm basically treadling like a mad fiend, trying to keep up with the draft (a problem I never have).  This one will eventually be chain-plied to keep the colour progression and still be strong enough to stand up to the abuse all fingerless mitts seem to be subjected to.  :)