Blackened chicken with a cilantro, basil pasta

I started out by taking 2 chicken breasts, placed in a ziploc bag and pounded out with a mallet. Once the chicken was between 1/4'-1/2" thick I placed on a plate and patted dry with a napkin. I then seasoned with garlic salt, pepper and paprika.

I took a cast iron skillet and covered with about 1/2" of grapeseed oil(you can use whatever oil that can stand a high heat). Once the oil starts to bubble, I added the chicken breasts and cooked for 8-10 min. per side. While that was cooking I chopped up 3 green onions, 3 small sweet peppers(or you could do one large red pepper), and some diced mushrooms. With the mushrooms I used the rest of the stems that I had left over from my stuffed mushrooms that I made on 2/29/12. The amount was equal to about 2 mushrooms.

Once the chicken is done I took it out of the pan and set aside. Add the vegetable mixture to skillet that you had the chicken in and cook until the vegetables are tender(about 4-5 min.). Once the veggies are tender I added 1 cup of chicken broth, 1/4 cup of white wine, 1/3 cup milk, 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 oz of cream cheese.

Once the cream cheese and butter melts add about 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro, 3 leaves of fresh diced basil and (2) roma tomatoes diced. Let all of those flavors marinate for about another 3-4 min.
Top this sauce over some whole wheat pasta and mix well. But save some of the sauce to top over the blackened chicken as well.
Slice your chicken, place on top of the pasta, add a little more sauce and some Parmesan cheese!!!!!
OMG people! A little slice of heaven!
Happy eating y'all!!!!

chicken with pepperoni-marinara sauce

I took 2 chicken breasts, placed them in a large Ziploc bag and pounded them with a mallet until flat.

I then marinated with this chipotle chicken season pkg.(only ½ of the pkg.) 1/8^th of a cup of water and 1 tsp. of oil. I let this mixture marinade for 30 min.- to an hour.

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a separate Ziploc bag take panko bread crumbs as well as the special k and mix together. I poured ½ of each bread crumb in but I poured it very sparingly. Then I took each chicken breast and cut into half to make (4) pieces of chicken. Take each piece individually and shake in the bread crumb mixture(kinda like shake and bake). Then place each piece on a cooling rack over a baking sheet. This allows the chicken to get really crispy! Almost like a fried chicken! Then place in the oven for 15-20 min. (or until the chicken feels just like your forehead when you poke it with your finger…This means that it is done, but still juicy)!

While the chicken is cooking, take some pepperoni(I used about  4 slices per serving. So, 16 slices and place on a hot pan with ¼ diced red onion. Cook until the onion is a bit opaque and add 1/3 jar of marinara sauce and simmer.

Once the chicken is done, pour the marinara over it, top with shredded mozzarella cheese and top with one fresh basil leaf.

Place in the oven with the broiler on high for 3-5 min. or until the cheese bubbles and waaalllaaahhh!!! Such a great dish(One of my favorites)! Happy eating y’all!

A tuna melt to "MELT" over!

My go to for an easy dinner is some type of panini or sandwich. I also always try to switch it up a little bit. If you ask me......????? Tonight, I hit it out of the park!!! Or should I say "TOUCHDOWN"!!!

I took 2 cans of albacore tuna(drained) and placed in a large bowl. Then I added the following....
1/3 stalk of celery(diced and including the leaves)
1/4 onion(diced)
1 small sweet red pepper(diced)
1 teaspoon of both ranch dressing and mustard
I mixed all of those ingredients up along with a dash of pepper, dried dill weed and season salt.
I took whole wheat cilbata bread(recipe makes 2 sandwiches)and sprayed with I can't believe its not butter(on the sides that will be on the panini press or skillet)
Placed a slice of Swiss cheese, a slice of pre-cooked bacon, the tuna mixture, one campari tomato(sliced) and to top it off........ One fresh basil leaf!!!
Top with the other half of the bread. Place on he panini press or skillet and cook each side for 4-5 min. per side.
Serve with some sweet potato fries and waaallllaaaaahhh! Happy eating y'all!

Chicken, veggies, rice, sundried tomatoes and rice

I took 2 chicken breasts and pounded flat with a mallot.

I then seasoned the breasts with salt, pepper, paprika and cumin on both sides.

Take a dutch oven and add a teaspoon of oil(in this recipe I used sesame oil) and add the chicken. Brown on each side for 8 min. and then remove the chicken to a plate.

Once the chicken is removed add to the dutch oven

2 tablespoons minced garlic

4 oz. of scallops

1 can of diced tomatoes(drained)

a dash of white wine to deglaze the pan

Let those ingredients marinate for about 8 min. then add the chicken back to the mixture along with 2-3 tablespoons of sun dried tomatoes(if you get them in an oil mixture, rinse them under hot water to remove the oil), 1/2 diced sweet onion, 1 pkg. of fresh mushrooms, oregano and the juice of 1/2 of a lime. Cook for another 10 min.(or until the mushrooms soften). Place the chicken on top of some long grain whole wheat rice, and spoon the tomato/veggie mix on the top of the chicken. THEN.... Top with some fresh basil, a dash of Parmesan cheese and a dash of feta cheese!!!! And waaallllaaahhhh! I hope you enjoy my recipe! Happy eating y'all!