I was having friends over to my house for the first time. And they are not only foodies, but one is quite picky. This was a spur of the moment decision which left me racking my brain for the tastiest and relatively quick dish that would impress them. I instantly fell back on my hearty staple: Mushroom Chicken Alfredo, also known as the best thing I make.

Alfredo is something that everyone perceives as decadent, and difficult. But from scratch, it is seriously delicious and insanely easy. Never open a jar of pre-made sauce again.

I started by roasting my chicken, sealed in foil in the oven at 400° with a little olive oil, butter, salt and pepper for 1 hour.  While that is going, I cleaned up the house, grated my Parmesan, got out all the ingredients for the rest of my meal.

While the noodles are cooking in the pot I get started on the Mushroom Alfredo sauce. I start with butter and oil in the pan, sauteing the mushrooms until almost done, with salt and pepper. Then I add in some minced garlic and let that get golden as well, before I add flour, and make a rue. After about a minute, when the flour is cooked through, I add in the half and half, stirring quickly to in-cooperate all the chunky flour in to the cream. When the creamy mushroom mixture is bubbling I add in the grated cheese. Again, stirring continuously until it is all melted and mixed in. This is a beautiful velvety sauce that goes well with so many things.

I used angel hair pasta with my dish this night, because my husband loves skinny noodles, and they cook faster. I don’t like to keep my guests waiting! After adding the chicken and the crusty bread with my basil butter topping, we were ready to eat! And they were happy and it was delicious.

Ingredients for Mushroom Alfredo Sauce:

• 1½ cups of half&half
• 4-6 oz of grated Parmesan cheese (half of a wedge of cheese or more)
• ½ stick salted butter
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• ½ tsp salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp. all purpose flour
• 1 cup or container of sliced mushrooms

Quick recipe:

1. Oil and butter in pan, medium heat.
2. Saute Mushrooms with salt and pepper until tender.
3. Add garlic, saute 1 minute.
4. Add flour, stir 1 minute.
5. Add half&half and stir continuously until bubbling.
6. Add cheese and stir until sauce is thick.

Add to cooked pasta and chicken or even sausage, and enjoy!