Chicken with Balsamic Brown Sugar Reduction

Sorry I havent posted in a long time... I've actually been working, so I haven't had time to cook, but I'm back, and I cant believe how much I've missed my kitchen.
Here's a really easy, three step recipe, that tastes like it should be in a 4 star restaurant. Don't let the balsamic vinegar scare you, my better half isn't a fan of balsamic vinegar, and he loved it. After boiling it for so long, it really turns sweet.

Ingredients:
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar substitute (splenda brown sugar) or 2 Tbsp brown sugar

Pre-heat oven to 400
Bake chicken for 25-30 minutes
Meanwhile, over medium heat, bring balsamic vinegar to a boil, whisking often
Add brown sugar, continue to whisk until sauce thickens
Use a spoon to scoop up and pour out sauce, to see how thick it is, it should stick to spoon
Once sauce is ready, remove chicken from oven, pour sauce over top and serve :)

Enjoy

Roasted Veggie and Bacon Pasta

Came home from camp today, to an empty fridge, and since it was Easter Sunday, everything was closed, so I had to make due. This tasted great :)

3 cups whole wheat pasta
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
8 strips of bacon
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp basil
2 small tomatoes, chopped
12 asparagus tips
1/3 cup chopped cabbage
1 jar marinated artichoke hearts
1/3 cup cheese

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees
In a small oven safe dish, mix 1 clove minced garlic, tomatoes, asparagus, artichoke hearts and cabbage
Coat with 1 tbsp olive oil
Bake for 15-20 minutes
Meanwhile, heat a large deep pan over medium heat
Fry bacon until almost done
Remove bacon and reserve 2 Tbsp bacon fat
Bring a large sauce pan with salted water to a boil, and cook pasta 10-12 minutes
Heat remaining olive oil in frying pan
Saute remaining garlic until just browned, add roasted vegetables, bacon and pasta
Add left over bacon fat
Stir in cheese, heat until just melted
Salt and Pepper to taste

We served this with garlic bread and it made a great, fast meal