Ski Country Pasta- Favorites Cookbook

1/2 cup toasted Almonds
1/2 pound sliced bacon
4 cups penne pasta
2 to 6 cloves garlic
1 pound fresh spinach, chopped
1 1/2 T Dijon mustard
5 T balsamic vinegar
2 cups grated monterey jack cheese (or Mozzarella)
1/2 cup fresh chopped basil

Fry bacon until crisp and remove from pan and crumble. Cook pasta al dene in salted water. Discard all but 6 T 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 a meal!!