Menu Planning (Our Version)

Josh and I have been living together for 6+ years now (yep, some of those were premarital...we're scandalous like that).  Ever since the beginning, we have had a pretty simple menu planning strategy around here.  Every Sunday, we figure out 3-4 meals we want to have that week (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are go out/take-out days around here).  Usually, Josh just defaults to me, but we attempt the conversation weekly...just in case he's really craving something.
While none of this is really novel or even blog-worthy, the little tidbit that might be is that every week we attempt one new recipe.  Honestly, I took a break this past year while trying to balance working/motherhood, but now that I am home full-time we are right back on track.  After we try our new jewel, it is either labeled as a keeper or not.  If it makes the cut, I right it down on an index card and put it in my pretty little recipe box (purchased at Macy's around the beginning of this project).  By doing this, we have managed to collect over 250 recipes that we rotate (these include sides, desserts, appetizers...everything!).  Obviously, we still have our favorites, but it is nice to have a variety to pick from and fun to try out new things.
For years, I used Allrecipes to find my inspiration and still do at times, but by now, we have tried quite a bit of the highly rated things on that site, so it is getting harder and harder to find something new to try.  Luckily, Pinterest came along and now offers me a wealth of  possibilities.  Just last week, I was in search of a pasta recipe.  My requirements were pretty specific as I was really looking for something that resembled a dish I used to order in a local restaurant when I was in high school.  I wanted it to have penne, to have chicken, and to have a sauce that was neither marinara or alfredo.  A simple search in Pinterest for "penne" led me to the promised land.  This was so easy and met all my requirements.  It was labeled as a keeper for us, so I figured I'd share it with you all too:

Chicken Bacon Pasta (via) 

1/2 pound bacon, cooked and chopped

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (or more or less depending on your tastes)

1 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 pound penne pasta

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup cream cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan

2 eggs

1/4 tsp. black pepper

grilled chicken breast (I used the Italian seasoned Perdue cuts)

1.  Cook pasta.

2.  Place cream and cream cheese in small saucepan over low heat.  Heat until cream cheese is melted, and whisk until smooth.  Remove from heat.  Add Parmesan, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, eggs, and pepper.    Whisk until blended.

3.  Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water, and return to pot.  Immediately add the white sauce and toss with the pasta to coat (don't worry...the hot pasta will cook the eggs).  

4. Stir in the bacon, and add the pasta water if necessary to loosen the sauce.  Top with grilled chicken.