McMama's BakedChicken Fingers

In trying to appeal to the love of chicken nuggets by my husband and myself, and trying to get my toddler to eat chicken (my toddler who eats everything else, even peppers and olives!), I tried a recipe for Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets. If you haven't checked out the Skinny Taste blog, you definitely should. Many healthy recipes that are compatible with Weight Watchers and low-carb diets, but are tasty despite the "Diet" status.

We have eaten these 3 nights this week because my husband and I kept wanting more. Yes, they are that good! A healthy food that's requested by all family members? Can't get much better than that :) My toddler likes them because he can dip them in ketchup, my husband likes them because they're CHICKEN NUGGETS, and I like them because it's real chicken. This recipe technically makes 4 servings, but all were eaten and we were left wanting more (thus the second and third night of chicken nuggets).

Her recipe:

• 16 oz (2 large) skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into even bit sized pieces
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tsp olive oil (eyeball it)
  
• 6 tbsp whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp panko
• 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
• olive oil spray
  

(My changes: I didn't have any panko on hand, so I just used 2 Tbsp extra whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs. Though, I think the panko would have made the chicken flakier. I also added about a Tbsp of a Dipping Blend by Grill Magic Seasonsings that really added a bold flavor that the breadcrumbs alone didn't quite add)

Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
2. Put olive oil in a bowl.
3. Combine breadcrumbs, panko (if you want), and parmesan in another bowl.
4. Season chicken with salt and pepper (as little or much as you want)
5. Put chicken pieces into the olive oil bowl (several at a time) and liberally cover.
6. Put chicken into the breadcrumb mixture and liberally cover.
7. Place chicken onto baking sheet lightly coated with olive oil.
8. Bake the chicken for 10 minutes. Take the chicken out and flip to the other side. Bake for another 5 minutes. (my oven calls for 5 min or more, just watch until the chicken is crispy).
9. Take out and enjoy!

I suggest serving this with a side of a veggie (like steamed broccoli and sauteed zucchini) and/or a side of Creamy Four-Cheese Macaroni (check yesterday's post).

Cheese Please

Creamy Four-Cheese Macaroni

I am such a kid at heart. And, what kid doesn’t LOVE Mac ‘n’ cheese? I confess, I do enjoy a good box of Kraft with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. But, there is something about a powdered cheese that just about does me in when trying to feed my child. (Not that I haven’t given in and fed it to him when needed). This dish puts Kraft to shame, and makes me feel a little healthier all at the same time. My mom gave me the “Cooking Light Complete Cookbook: A Fresh New Way to Cook” for Christmas several years ago, and it has gotten some good usage. I adapted the “Creamy Four-Cheese Macaroni” to fit the needs of our family.

Ingredients:

· 3 Cups uncooked elbow macaroni (try for whole wheat) (also any past will do here)

· 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

· 2 2/3 cups 1% or skim milk

· ¾ cup (3 oz) shredded swiss cheese

· ½ cup (2 oz) grated fresh Parmesan cheese (fresh really does taste better!)

· ½ cup (2 oz) shreeded extrasharp Cheddar cheese

· 3 oz light processed cheese (I don’t like processed cheeses, like Velveeta and American, so I just put a mild cheddar in instead)

· ¼ tsp salt

· Cooking Spray

· Poultry Seasoning (OR crushed onion melba toasts and 1 Tbsp softened unsalted butter)

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions (w/o salting the water), and drain.

2. Spoon flour into a measuring cup and level. Put flour in a large saucepan. Turn stove on to medium heat. Very gradually add the milk, stir with whisk, and cook until thick. Stir constantly. This should take 5-8 min.

3. When flour and milk is completely combined and thick, add all 4 cheeses. Continue stirring with whisk, and cook until cheese melts.

4. Remove from heat.

5. Add macaroni and salt (can easily leave salt out).

6. Pour into serving dish, and add poultry seasoning liberally to the top of the pasta.

Optional:

You can continue on in this recipe and bake it. Use the following instructions if you so desire. Don’t add the poultry seasoning or put in a serving dish.

7. Spray a casserole dish (2 quart) with cooking spray. Gently spoon pasta into the casserole.

8. Sprinkle poultry seasoning (or crushed onion melba toasts combined with the softened butter). Bake at 375 degrees for 30 min.

Personally, our family doesn’t like the baked version. We prefer the pasta straight off of the stove while it is still melted and liquidous (is that a word?) If you decide to bake it, it still tastes great, the sauce thickens a little. We also like to experiment with different toppings. Last night we tried “Chipotle Seasoning” and Cavenders “AllPurpose Greek Seasoning.” The first gave the pasta a nice little kick, the latter boosted the taste of the chese. If you fix this for your family or friends, you could leave the toppings off and put several seasonings out for individuals to sprinkle and try.

We have served this as a complete meal (serving size 1 cup) with a veggie side, or as a side dish for Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets (see tomorrow’s post) alongside a veggie. You simply can’t go wrong with this! Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pancakes

These are a hearty and filling version of a pancakes that my son and I love to share for breakfast. I adapted it from this All Recipes recipe.

Recipe:
Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups fat free milk
• 1 cup pumpkin puree (I prefer real pumpkin roasted and pureed)
  
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
  
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In a bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt in a separate bowl. Stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.
2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Better than Fast Food

I have a slight obsession with baking. When I say baking, I mean I LOVE baking cupcakes, gooey butter cakes brownies, and and desserts that cannot be good for you. I have a serious sweet tooth and a love of good food. In the past few months I have become a stay-at-home Mom, and Fall has come (which also brings an abundance of pumpkin desserts!). My husband doesn't so much have a sweet tooth, but loves queso, wings, chips...man food. My toddler has always and still will eat just about anything.

Another interest I have is keeping my family healthy (especially my kids--because I control what they eat. ha!) I hate the idea of processed foods, unneeded horomones, and added sugar filling my baby's tummy. Since he started solids I have made his food, and refuse to give him fast food and processed foods. I will admit I even struggle to give him sweets, and have had to become a little less strict. My husband and I realize that we should set better examples; and that soon the toddler will wonder why Mom and Dad can have fast foods sometimes and coke, but he isn't allowed.

So, in the best interest of our family, my new hobby is to find healthy but great tasting foods that all of us will eat. Again, the toddler will eat anything, so it's really up to my husband's and my standards. We are both wanting to lose weight (two babies in a 16 months can really do in a body). My goal is to find not just "ok" and "good" items, but to find DELICIOUS whole foods that will be requested over and over.

I still love baking, and will continue to try new sweets and desserts. Don't worry, I'll post those too. I have to be realistic. I need dessert sometimes, or I will dessert binge. If ever you have a suggestion, let me know.