Chicken Parmigiana

Here is a simple week night dinner that provides a big wow with very little effort. I simply took a boneless, skinless chicken breast for each person, put them between two layers of plastic wrap and pounded them out until I got my desired thickness. I then dredged them in flour that I seasoned with salt and pepper and cooked them in a combination of butter and oil. After they were cooked, I set them aside and drained the butter and oil from the pan. I then put the pan back on the stove, dumped in a full jar of my favorite marinara sauce to warm it up. After only a few minutes, I put the chicken into the sauce to let it absorb all the flavors. To finish it off, I put shredded mozzarella on each chicken breasts, once the cheese was melted, it was ready to serve on top of a nice pile of spaghetti.

Breakfast of Champions

This is nothing new, but I just had to put a post about the yummy breakfast I've been into recently. So simple, so healthy, and so delicious. It just makes you feel so much better to start your day with this rather than a bowl of sugary cereal. Try it, you'll be surprised!

Random Things That Make Cooking Fun...

My new Anthro oven mitt :)


Anthro apron and my cat Bella

Wine bottle candles we found up in Sonoma

Baked Tilapia with Homemade Tartar Sauce

Simple, simple, simple...really no recipe, I just estimated on the amounts. But the tartar sauce consists of mayo, pickle relish, capers, finely chopped onion, salt, and pepper.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here is the original Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. This is a classic cookie recipe that is always a welcome standby around here. Nothing new or fancy, just good ole chocolate chip cookies the way they were meant to be.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.)
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
  

Directions:

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

I cannot wait to see Jamie Oliver's new show!!

Mom's Baked Chicken and Mashed Potatoes

This baked chicken recipe is the stuff I grew up on. It's my mom's spin on baked chicken, and it is so easy and delicious! Simply take chicken thighs and legs, sprinkle generously with salt, Montreal steak seasoning, and grated parmesan cheese. Bake for 1 hour at 350. It cannot get any easier than that, and it tastes soooo good!

Here's the mashed potatoes we had on the side...