Chicken Parmigana

Not the greatest picture, I know. But it's what I have!

This is one of the first meals I ever made for J. I think this is the meal that made him fall in love with me! From this point on, he knew he would always be well fed!

SAUCE:

I always say- The one good thing that my Ex mother-in-law taught me is how to make a damn good pot of sauce! She is very Italian and is a fabulous cook. That is the one thing she had going for her. Making an awesome sauce is actually simple.

INGRDEDIENTS:

-2 cans of tomato sauce

- 1 can of water (Rule of thumb is 1/2 can of water, for every can of tomato sauce. So if you're using more than 2 cans, just use this rule to figure out water.)

- Oregano

- Basil

- Garlic

- Onion powder

- Pinch of sugar

DIRECTIONS:

- In a sauce pot, pour in just enough oil to coat the bottom of the pot. Anymore and you'll have icky extra grease floating on the top of your sauce.

- Sprinkle some garlic powder in pot (Or put in cloves if you're using those); put on medium heat and let it get hot just unti you start to smell the garlic. Any longer, and the garlic may burn

- Add in 2 cans of tomato sauce, 1 can of water, and all your seasoning. (Make sure to use A LOT! The more seasoning, the BETTER!)

- Bring sauce to a boil; add in JUST a small pinch of sugar (it cuts acidity)

- Cover and turn down to a low heat; let simmer for about 2-3 hours, stirring occassionally.

CHICKEN:

INGREDIENTS:

- Boneless, skiness chicken breasts

- 2 eggs, beaten

- Italian bread crumbs

- Mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS:

- Wash and butterfly your chicken.

- In a large skillet, on medium heat, heat up some oil

- Dip cutlets into egg, then into breadcrumbs

- Fry in skillet until golden on both sides

- Set chicken on paper towel to drain grease.

- in a 13x9 inch baking pan, spoon some of your sauce to coat bottom of pan

- place chicken in baking pan, top with more sauce and mozz. cheese.

- Bake in oven at 300 degrees just unti cheese is melted.

I usually serve this meal with homemade garlic bread, a side salad, or Mashed potatos and green beans!

Delicious crabcakes and tartar sauce

I have lived in Maryland for almost 10 years now, and I have NEVER once had a crabcake. So tonight, I thought I would make them. Now, I used immitation crab instead of the real stuff, because I'm on a budget. But IMO, and in J's...It's just as good, if not better then the real stuff!

INGREDIENTS:

- 24 oz Immitation crabmeat

- 10-12 crushed ritz crackers

- 1 egg, beaten

- 3 tbs. Mayonnaise

- black pepper

- parsley flakes

DIRECTIONS:

- In a large bowl, combine crabmeat, egg, crackers, and seasoning; stir in mayo

- Moisten hands with cold water, and mix thoroughly.

- Heat up just enough oil in a large skillet to cover crabcakes

- Form mixture into 3 inch patties and place in skillet; cook until golden on both sides.

- place on paper towel to drain extra grease

TARTAR SAUCE:

This is so simple and easy!! I didnt really use measurements for this so you'll just have to eyeball it.

- In a small bowl, put in a good bit of mayo

- Add some ketchup until it's a lightish salmon pink color

- Add in some relish, or do what I did and if you don't have any on hand, pour in a TINY bit of pickle juice, and cut up 1 pickle into little chunks and add.

- mix it all together and VOILA! delicious, simple. homemade tartar sauce!

I served my crabcakes on a potato roll, with chips on the side. A yummy, quick meal!!!!

Carribean Chicken Salad

This is a yummy, refreshing, and different kind of salad.


INGREDIENTS:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Jamaican Jerk, or Creole seasoning (I used Creole because I couldn't find the other)
- 1/2 cup honey mustard dressing
- 1 tsp. zest of lime
- lettuce or bad of mixed greens
- 2 Mangos, peeled, cored, and sliced
- baby carrots
- your shredded cheese of choice
- Any other veggies you may wish to add


DIRECTIONS:

- In a medium bowl, stir together dressing and lime. Cover and refrigerate to chill
- In a medium skillet, heat up just enough oil to lightly coat entire pan.
- Wash chicken, and season generously with your seasoning
- Cook chicken in skillet until it's golden brown, and not pink in the center; let cool on plate with a paper towel over it to drain the grease.
- In a salad bowl, add your lettuce, veggies, and cheese
- Top with chicken and mango
- Put on dressing, and toss until everything is coated; Serve and enjoy!

Creamy Chicken Divan!

This was SO SCRUMPTIOUS!!! My mom used to make this for me when I was little, and this recipie is just amazing!! It has become one of our "go to meals" So simple, and SO delicious!


INGRIDIENTS:

10 oz pck frozen broccoli spears, cooked & drained
1 C. cooked chicken, sliced
1 10 3/4 oz. can Cream of Chicken soup
Curry powder (to taste)
1/3 C. Mayonnaise
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
Shredded sharp chedder cheese (Use as much or as little as you like!)
Break crump and butter mixture. Enough to generously cover top.


PREP:

Arrange cooked broccoli in a lightly greased 8x8 baking pan
place sliced chicken over top
Combine soup, curry, lemon, and mayo; Pour over chicken
Sprinkle top with cheese
Combine bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle over top
bake in oven at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes
ENJOY!!!