Surprise pasta

I call this dish "surprise" pasta because what it tastes like is always a surprise. Its usually made when we are running low on groceries and need to restock. I raid the pantry and fridge and throw together whatever ingredients I can find. So here is what went into this week's surprise pasta

2 skinless chicken breasts(cut into strips

2 rasher of bacon(diced)

1/2 a diced onion

2 cloves sliced garlic

1 cup peas

1 cup baby spinach

1 chopped tomato

capers and parsley to garnish 

cooked shell pasta

Saute the onions and garlic in olive oil . Add, bacon and chicken and saute till cooked. Add the remaining ingredients (except pasta). Cook until chicken is done and season with salt and peper. Mix in the cooked pasta, Stir in the capers and chopped parsley and extra olive oil if needed. Remember to add the tomato right at the end so that it does not get overcooked.

I find that if you have onions, garlic and chicken you can get a pretty decent dish. All the other ingredients can be substituted or augmented depending on what you have in the pantry. I have tried adding mushrooms, brocolli and sundried tomatoes instead of some of the other ingredients. If you dont have capers, olives make a pretty good substitute too. I like squeezing a little lemon juice on the pasta just before serving as well.