Chicken Eggplant Parmesan

I bought an eggplant the other day. No real reason to, just thought I would. I thought it would be healthy for the kids and create a new challenge for me. I wanted to incorporate chicken somehow, so I started to search for some recipes. I came across this Chicken Eggplant Parmesan. Not only was it delicious, but it was extremely easy! I served it over whole wheat pasta, with a side of greens and (our fave) bread sticks. Here you go:

Chicken Eggplant Parmesan

Ingredients:
* 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast (thin sliced)
* 1 medium eggplant (approximately 1 pound)
* 1/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs (I used crushed crackers)
* 3/4 lb mozzarella cheese, sliced thin
* 1 (26 ounce) jar marinara sauce (approximately 3 cups)
* 1/4 lb Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Peel and slice eggplant.
Lay between two layers of paper towels for 15-20 minutes to drain moisture from eggplant, then discard paper towels.
Line bottom of 13x9 inch baking dish with the chicken breast slices.
Cover chicken with the eggplant slices.
Sprinkle breadcrumbs over eggplant.
Cover breadcrumbs with mozzarella cheese slices (or grated if you prefer).
Pour marinara sauce over cheese.
Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top.
Bake for 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees.

My Favorite Lunch . . . for now

I think I said it before but I am in love with Sunflower Market! The produce is fresh and cheap and did you notice it is January? Oh and did I mention how cheap it is? So I went there a few weeks ago--I need to schedule a time to go since I live no where near one--and filled my cart with produce. Hint: Go on a Wednesday as they will honor both the outgoing ad and the new weekly ad! My favorite lunch right now is this little concoction that I guess I could call:

Ham and Veggie Stir-Fry

(Vary the amounts depending on how many you are cooking for)
Zucchini
Yellow Squash
Onion
Carrots
Ham (I got a few sliced steaks of fresh ham at Costco--thick and yummy and has lasted me a few weeks, and that is even feeding my family with it!)
Sauce of your choice (I have been using a Thai sauce from Costco but if you don't like spicy, go for a stir-fry sauce or just S&P)
Salt and Pepper (or Mrs. Dash)
A few garlic cloves--because it is oh, so good for you!

Chop it all up and throw it in a skillet with a few teaspoons of olive oil and let it cook for about 5-10 minutes, until the vegetables are soft, but not soggy. You don't want to cook too many nutrients out of them. I have had it alone or on a bed of whole wheat noodles if I need the extra carb added. Either way you will be full and it is so, so yummy. Enjoy a taste of summer in January!

Apple-licious whole grain morning pick-me-up

I found this recipe on the Vita-mix website (they have fabulous recipes by the way) and decided to try. I made this cereal for my family last week, slaving over chopping nuts and grinding wheat, but alas, they did not appreciate the yumminess factor. My husband loved it, I loved it and I think my 4-year old oatmeal-loving son loved it, but the rest turned up their noses. I must note I have some very picky eaters in my family, so maybe you would have more luck. I, for one, loved the walnuts, but maybe, just maybe if I would have left them out the kids would have eaten it better. Very hearty, very satisfying breakfast and that is majorly good for you!

Note: I did not use my Vita-mix mixer for this. In fact I used my Magic Bullet, and ground stuff in just smaller portions. It worked fine. Also, I didn't have a cinnamon stick, so I just added about a teaspoon or so of cinnamon and it was delish. I also quadrupled the recipe, since I wanted some leftover -- just gauge how much you think your family will eat. This recipe is not time consuming, though you might think so. It took me about 30 minutes, start to finish.

Apple-icious whole grain cereal
(Yield: 2 1/2 cups)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup (48 g) brown rice
1/4 cup (50 g) wheat kernels
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (240 ml) water
1/2 cup (120 ml) apple cider
cinnamon stick, or sprinkle with cinnamon
1/2 apple, quartered and peeled
2 teaspoons walnuts
sweetener of choice (optional)

Directions:

Place wheat, rice and salt into blender and secure lid. Blend for until it turns to a powdery substance. Place liquid ingredients and cinnamon stick into a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Stir in wheat and rice mixture. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, finely chop walnuts and apples. Add to the wheat/rice mixture with 5 minutes left in the cooking process. Sweeten to taste with your choice of sweetener. Add a bit of milk and enjoy!

Best Grilled Salmon Recipe in the World

And that's just what this is. My little sis, Kilee, makes this better than I did, but oh it is ever yummy. I think the trick is to just under-cook it. I know, sounds bad, but it's salmon so it won't hurt you. Just don't over-grill it, like we did, or it will taste dry. Marinate it for at least 8 hours for best flavor. It's summer--whip out that BBQ and make this tonight! Even if you don't like fish, I dare you to try this one--you might just change your mind.

Grilled Salmon Recipe Ingredients

8 salmon fillets
Best Salmon Marinade Ingredients

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sesame oil
5 tablespoons soy sauce
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons honey
3 teaspoons brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger (I have done both fresh grated ginger and the ground ginger spice, I personally like the spice better)
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, more or less to taste
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
2 green onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

Place salmon fillets in a large resealable plastic bag. In a separate medium bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients. Whisk together well, and pour over the salmon in the plastic bag. Remove the air from the bag and seal tightly. Marinate the salmon fillets in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.


Wrap the salmon fillets tightly in aluminum foil. Spray the inside of the aluminum foil with non-stick cooking spray before adding the salmon. Lightly oil the grill grates. Grill the salmon for 15 minutes per inch of thickness on a medium hot grill, or until salmon just flakes with a fork. Turn salmon over halfway through grilling.



After you try this grilled salmon recipe, I think that you will agree that it is the best grilled salmon recipe you have ever tasted. You will never make grilled salmon differently again.

Quick Easy Kid Meal

I'm sure many of you do this meal already, but I wanted to post it for those of you who don't! Not only does it easy, but it's super-cheap and my kids love it! My mom made this for us all growing up, so it being Mother's Day this weekend, this post goes out to her. Call it what you like, but we call it. . .

Egg Bread

All you need are eggs and bread!

Cut center out of a slice of bread, either with a drinking glass or a cute cookie cutter shape. (We did ours Valentines weekend with hearts.) Melt butter on a heated skillet. Place bread on skillet and crack egg in center. Salt and pepper it. Heat until it becomes firm enough to flip. Cook both sides--I also like to toast the centers--the kids love those too. We serve ours with ketchup or melted cheese on top. With a side of applesauce or fruit and milk you've got all major food groups!

A spin on Tacos

I'm always trying to think of creative ways for my kids to get their Omega-3s, aka fish, without them turning their nose up at it. Yes, they love their fish sticks, but mama and papa needed something a little bit healthier and more savory. I saw this recipe on the Better Homes and Garden website and decided to give it a go. It took VERY little preparation and it was done in 20 minutes, start to finish. Can't say my kids loved every bite, but I sure did and so did my husband and older kids. Maybe you'd like it too. . .

Fish tostadas with Chili Lime Cream

1 lb. fresh tilapia or cod fillets
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 lime, halved
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
8 6-inch tostada shells
2 cups shredded cabbage mix
1 avocado, peeled and sliced
1 cup cherry tomatoes (I just used chopped on-the-vine tomatoes)
Bottled hot pepper sauce (optional, although this was a must for me and my hubby)

Directions: Preheat broiler. Sprinkle fish with 1/4 tsp chili powder and 1/4 tsp. salt. For chili-lime cream, in bowl squeeze 2 tsp. lime juice. Stir in sour cream, garlic powder and remaining chili powder; set aside. Cut remaining lime half in wedges for serving. Place fish in greased pan. Place shells on baking sheet on lowest rack. Broil fish 4 inches from heat 4-6 min. per 1/2 inch thickness, until fish flakes with a fork. Break into chunks. Serve tostadas with cabbage, chili-lime cream, avocados, tomatoes, lime and pepper sauce. I think you could also add cheese to the mix, don't you? VERY simple, tasty meal that includes all the 5 basic food groups!

Skillet Summer Pasta

Yes, I said SUMMER pasta, because I'm in denial about the snow that is dumping itself outside right now. AND, maybe, just maybe, if I start on the summer foods, I can WILL summer here faster.

I made this for my family the other night and I was pleased with the final product and the response from my family. I have to put a plug in for Sunflower Market. I get my produce here whenever I can and I feel like living healthy is finally affordable again. I hope you have one near you--their prices are unbelievable!

First I cooked about 8 oz. whole wheat fusilli (or any other curly pasta).

While this was boiling, I sauteed the following (you can add or subtract any amount according to your family's size):

1/2 onion
2-3 small zucchini
2-3 yellow summer squash
1 head broccoli florets
2-3 cloves garlic

When these were done, I put them in a bowl off to the side and I thought it needed some protein so I sauteed a package of firm tofu, until brown, in the same pan.

Drain noodles and add vegetable to the pan with the tofu. Add 2-3 chopped tomatoes and heat through. Add about 1 cup (or more if you want) of shredded cheese (I used mixed cheeses) until the whole meal looks nice and cheesy. Add salt and pepper to your liking and enjoy! Super easy, super fast and super delish!