Hope Chest Memories

Tonight while preparing dinner (Chicken Spaghetti--recipe below), I reached into a drawer for a can opener and saw several kitchen gadgets in the drawer that made me smile. Why? They were gifts from my parents, one every day for the month leading up to my sixteenth birthday. Every night at dinner, I got to unwrap a different kitchen item—-a set of measuring cups, a turkey baster, an apple slicer, dish towels, etc. Then, on my birthday, Mom and Dad gave me a beautiful hope chest in which to store all my new treasures. I used to spend hours sorting and re-organizing the items in my hope chest, all the while dreaming about the man who would become my husband and the home we would have together. I am so grateful to God for bringing Hubby and me together and for helping us have such a happy marriage.

My hope chest is still very special to me. Right now it is holding baby clothes!

Here is the recipe for Chicken Spaghetti. It’s a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken.

Chicken Spaghetti

Ingredients:

-1/2 large onion, chopped
-1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
-2 stalks celery, chopped
-1 can sliced mushrooms or approximately 2 c. sliced fresh mushrooms (optional)
-1 tablespoon olive oil
-30 oz. Tomato sauce
-6 oz. Tomato paste
-1/4 c. water
-1 can sliced olives (optional)
-2-3 c. cubed or shredded cooked chicken
-1/4 c. or more parmesan cheese
-1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
-dash black pepper
-3/4 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste
-1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, or to taste
-3 teaspoons Italian herbs (use a blend or just use basil, rosemary, and oregano), or to taste
-12 oz. spaghetti noodles (I use whole-wheat)
-1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese

Procedure:

Sauté onion, bell pepper, celery, and fresh mushrooms (if using) until just tender in olive oil in large pot. Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, olives (if using), canned mushrooms (if using), chicken, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, and Italian herbs. Simmer for 20 minutes or until flavors are blended. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti noodles in boiling water. Drain. Serve sauce over cooked noodles. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.