Chicken Parmesan- One for tonight & One for the Freezer

If I can cook once and eat twice or even three times I am a happy girl.  This is one of the first recipes that I started freezing. (Don't worry I will be sharing more!)  And many years later I am still making it.  It's awesome to have a meal that tastes so good in only the amount of time it takes to cook the spaghetti.  

Ingredients:

• Parmesan Cheese
• Shredded Mozzarella
• Shredded Parmesan
• Boneless Chicken Breasts
• Garlic Powder
• Seasoned Bread Crumbs
• Eggs
• Milk
• Olive Oil
• Marinara Sauce
• Spaghetti

I am sorry, I forgot to measure while I was making this.  The amount of each varies depending on the amount of chicken you are making.  

Combine bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder.

Cut large chicken breasts in half.  Place in between sheets of wax paper and pound them to about 1/2 inch thick.

Beat a couple of eggs (you can add a splash of milk if you would like).  Dip chicken in egg.

Dredge chicken in bread crumb mixture until completely covered

Heat olive oil in skillet.  Lightly fry chicken on each side.  It doesn't have to be cooked all the way through because it will finish cooking in the oven.  

When the chicken is done place the portions you are going to eat tonight in a baking dish and the others on a plate to cool.

After the pieces for the freezer are cool place them in a freezer bag, label, and place in freezer.  

Back to the portion for tonight...Preheat oven to 350.  To finish cooking bake chicken for about 10-15 minutes.  Take chicken out of oven and sprinkle a little grated Parmesan on each piece of chicken, put a small layer of sauce, then a little bit of shredded Mozzarella and shredded Parmesan.  Place chicken in oven for about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Serve over spaghetti with your favorite marinara sauce.

 When you are ready to eat the portion from the freezer, simply thaw chicken in refrigerator and follow the directions above.

This recipe was featured on our Appetizing April Menu. Check out the entire April menu for a variety of dinner ideas!

Pizza Rolls- all Grown Up

My husband is a hot lunch kind of guy and when he is home for lunch on the weekends the last thing I want to be doing on my Saturday or Sunday afternoon is cooking lunch (because I usually cook breakfast and dinner).  I often make these Pizza Rolls along with Ham and Cheese Calzones to keep in the freezer for those weekend lunches.  I can also take them straight from the freezer and put them in the kids' lunch boxes and they thaw in time for them to enjoy in place of a sandwich at school.  These Pizza Rolls are the perfect addition to Family Movie Night, Game Day, and Parties.

Ingredients:

• Pepperoni
• Mozzarella
• Garlic Salt
• You favorite Pizza Dough Recipe (I will post mine soon)

Flour your counter top and roll out dough to about 1/4 inch thick.  Then layer Pepperoni and Shredded Mozzarella.  Sprinkle with Garlic Salt.

Next tightly roll the dough into a log form.  I recommend making them no longer than 14 inches, because if you make them too big it will take too long for middle to cook and the outside will be too overdone.  Pinch the ends and seam closed with your fingertips.  Brush roll with butter to ensure a nice golden color while baking.  Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes.  I line my baking sheet with parchment paper just in case one of the seams opens up.  Baking time will vary based on the size and thickness of the dough.  Just keep an eye on it.

Serve right away with a side of marinara sauce or let them cook completely and you can put them in the freezer for a quick and easy meal later on or even a late night snack:)

This recipe was featured on our Appetizing April Menu. Check out the entire April menu for a variety of dinner ideas!