Ski Country Pasta (aka Alpine Ski Pasta-my kids) this is an all time favorite recipe, often requested for birthday dinners

Ski Country Pasta

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Sliced almonds

1/2 pound sliced bacon

4 cups penne pasta

2 to 6 cloves garlic

1 pound fresh spinach

1 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard

5 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar

4 cups Monterey Jack cheese

1/2 cup fresh chopped basil

Directions:

Toast almonds over medium heat for about 4 minutes

Set aside

Fry bacon until crisp and remove from pan and crumble

Cook pasta al dente in salted water

Discard all but 6 tablespoons of bacon fat from pan and add garlic and chopped spinach

Stir over medium heat until tender

Whisk mustard and vinegar together in large bowl and then mix in drained pasta, cheese, cooked spinach mixture, bacon and basil

Serve warm, topped with toasted almonds. Can add 3 cooked, cubed chicken breasts to make it a meal! Credit: Favorites cookbook