About Me

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I am 27 years old, a wife, a mom, a sister, a newish home owner, a daughter, and a best friend. I am in the process of becoming a self proclaimed photographer, interior designer, and a chef. I want nothing more than to always remember the most positive and precious things in my life. I am very blessed to have such wonderful memories and my brain is to busy to remember them all. Blogging is my way to share and never forget.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Almond Crusted Chicken Fingers

 

 

I love chicken fingers. Chicken fingers love my waist. This is the both of best worlds. Healthy and satisfying to cravings!

 

Almond Crusted Chicken Fingers

  • Boneless Chicken Strips (I say use organic chicken strips) as many as you want to cook, they heat up the next day great!
  • 1 Cup Almonds crushed. (I have used pre-crushed but I usually buy chopped almonds I have used whole almonds) and then I crush them in my blender)
  • Garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Parsley
  • 1 /2 teaspoon Paprika
  • 2 teaspoons Dried Mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon of Nutmeg
  • 1/2 Cup Wheat Germ. (I usually do not use wheat germ. I like it just with the almonds (plus it is healthier with just almonds) 
  • 2 egg whites, if you run out you can always add more egg whites, I just dislike wasting eggs
  • Cooking Spray

 

  1. Preheat oven 350*
  2. Cover pan with foil and spray with cooking spray
  3. In 1 bowl add all ingredients except egg and chicken
  4. In 2nd bowl, whisk egg whites.
  5. Dip the chicken in egg whites, let the excess drip off.
  6. Dip and cover the strips in the 1st bowl of mixture
  7. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, until cooked through. It will have a different look compared to fried chicken fingers so make sure not to over cook the chicken

 

 

Photo Apr 23, 5 09 04 PM
Pre chopped almonds

Photo Apr 23, 5 09 11 PMPhoto Apr 23, 5 14 01 PM
Blend the almonds to desired crushed-ness (I usually go ahead and crush all of them and store it in a mason jar in the pantry for easy access later in the week)

Photo Apr 23, 5 28 51 PM
Coat chicken and bake!

 

Photo Mar 29, 8 01 42 PMPhoto Mar 29, 8 02 01 PM
SOO YUMMY

 

Results:

I cook these at least 2 times a week. They are one of the easiest meals and I could do it with my eyes closed. I usually bake extra for lunch the next day!

Baked Veggies


 

Like I have said before, I am not a fan of cooked veggies. With this said, I may have just found a dish that changes my mind on that. I was so excited to eat this after I cooked it that I {once again} forgot the after picture.. but try it out anyways.. trust me.. YUMMY!

 

BAKED VEGGIES

Zucchini
Squash
Sweet Potato
Garlic powder
Minced Onion or chopped onion
EVOO
Cheese
*EXTRA TOUCH* I also added laughing cow wedge cheese because it is wonderful to cook with

  1. Preheat 350*
  2. Slice your veggies in thin slices {I also peeled my veggies because I enjoy using the peeler I have.. but it is not a must}
  3. Mix garlic, onion, and dab of EVOO in the bottom of your baking dish
  4. Place veggies in pan
  5. Add your laughing cow wedge cut in to chunks at this point if you are using the laughing cow cheese
  6. Sprinkle spices (I sprinkled garlic on top and mined onion, then added some parsley)
  7. Cover and bake for 15 mins
  8. Take out, add cheese and recover
  9. Let stand (while covered) so cheese melts
  10. Serve or Eat our of the pot if you cant wait.. like me

Photo Apr 23, 4 53 37 PMPhoto Apr 23, 5 01 19 PM

Results:

AMAZING. AMAZING AMAZING.. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! I will be making this weekly, if not daily.. I ate it with my almond crusted chicken fingers.

Feta Stuffed Zucchini

 

Recently I have found a love for Zucchini. I mean I love it. RAW. Not cooked. Although I have been working on acquiring a taste for it half raw/half cooked. Meaning, I don’t cook it long enough to get mushy but it is cooked enough to taste different and be hot.

 

Feta Stuffed Zucchini Cups

Zucchini
Feta
Parsley
Garlic powder
Wine Vinegar
EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
Any other add-ons: bacon, tomato, carrots, etc.

 

  1. Preheat oven 350*
  2. Cup Zucchini into large slices
  3. Scoop out center with melon scooper or small spoon
  4. Cover pan with foil and spray with cooking spray
  5. Mix together ingredients
  6. I did not measure each ingredient, I did it to taste
  7. Stuff cups with the feta
  8. Bake for 15 mins, or until desired texture

Photo Apr 24, 7 50 58 PM

Photo Apr 24, 7 50 43 PM

Photo Apr 24, 8 03 24 PM

 

Review..

I was not a fan of these. It was the feta that didn’t set in my mouth right. I am sure this would be good with some other type of cheese or stuffing (tonight I am using meat to stuff them with) but as for this dish, I will not be cooking it again with feta cheese. {I did make myself eat half of it though}

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Pizza stuffed mushrooms

I am (and have been) back in the kitchen. Cooking up new recipes and creating some of my own.

With this wasting healthy stuff I have come to realize a few of my unhealthy cravings. Such as pizza. I am not a fan of pizza hut or papa johns. But take me to mellow mushroom or lupis and I am all about that greasy cheesy Alice of pizza...ok. Maybe more than just a slice. My favorite pizza is homemade pizza straight from my oven. There is nothing better than making it and eating it in the comfort of my home. Pizza is not an option though. And goodness when I crave it. I crraavvee it! Some I have found a way to settle the craving (as best as possible) without loading up {or down} on those carbs.

Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms

Mushroom caps
Tomato sauce (no salt added)
Cheese
Garlic powder
And any topping

  1. Preheat oven 400
  2. Wash mushrooms with damp cloth (don't run under water because they will absorb the water and stay wet)
  3. Cut stems and scoop out inside of mushrooms
  4. Sprinkle garlic over mushrooms
  5. Place mushrooms in oven for 5 to 7 mins depending on desired cook
  6. Take mushrooms out and stuff with sauce and other toppings
  7. Place in oven on broil until toppings are melted


    I am posting from my phone so sorry of the pictures are out of order.


 
 
 
Results:
LOVE LOVE LOVE.. The mushroom was a little overpowering but I know this can be fixed with a little tweeking of some spices on the mushroom. I ate it as a side dish with  chicken and spinach leaves.