Chicken Parmesan & New Bread Maker!

 As part of my goals for 2011, I would like to start blogging more.  I always start, post a few times, and then fall off the face of the Earth.  No more!  We had a wonderful Christmas with lots of family, food, and fun.  My little sister turned 21 on December 26th, and we were so happy to help her celebrate on Sunday!  Happy Birthday Angela!

We made it home on Tuesday with lots of loot! My parents gave us a bread-maker.  We have wanted one for quite some time, and I couldn't wait to try it out.  We made fresh whole-wheat bread yesterday afternoon.  It was so delicious.  Crunch on the outside and soft and warm on the inside.  This gift will definitely get lots of usage!

Ben's birthday was on the 27th actually, and we were able to spend the day with his family.  Even though it was two days later, he still wanted me to make him a birthday dinner.  I, of course, obliged with his favorite, Chicken Parmesan.  It turned out really, really good.  I found the recipe off foodnetwork.com about 6 months ago and tweaked it to our liking.  Enjoy!

Chicken Parmesan

adapted from foodnetwork.com
Serves:  4-6

Ingredients:
1 1/3 c. Italian Bread Crumbs
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
4 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 egg whites
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. flour
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 jar marinara
1 c. mozzarella, shredded
2 T. Parmesan

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Mix bread crumbs with oregano, 1/4 tsp. garlic salt, paprika, 1/4 tsp. pepper.  Empty mixture into long shallow dish.

Whisk egg whites and milk.  Place in another long, shallow dish.  Mix flour and 1/4 tsp. garlic salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.  Place in a third long, shallow dish.  Line up flour, egg/milk, and then bread crumbs. 

Dip chicken in flour, then egg, then bread crumbs.  Spray each side of chicken with cooking
spray.  Place in a sprayed 9x13 inch pan.

Bake 15-20 minutes.  Remove and top with marinara, mozzarella and Parmesan.  Return to oven for another 10 minutes.

I 

Serve over a little whole wheat spaghetti.  I also did a side of steam broccoli, a little lettuce, and a slice of homemade bread.  I jumped the gun and took a few bites before I snapped the picture.  Delicious!

Now, Ben's festivities could not be over last night.  He talked me into taking him to Buffalo Wild Wings today.  Believe me when I say "talked me into", I really mean that he just mentioned it once.  I love BWW!
My favorites are the boneless wings - Honey BBQ for me and HOT BBQ for Ben.  We also split the Asian Zing.  Yum!  I did manage to keep it to only 4 of the honey and 2 of the Asian Zing.  We got 18 total.  I ate 6 which means Ben ate...you do the math. :) He says he was hungry.

A few years ago, we went in Chanhassen, MN on our 1st anniversary.  They enticed us to sign up for the "Buffalo Club", and one of the perks a free dessert coupon for your birthday.  Ben enjoyed apple pie a la mode with caramel sauce.  I might have snuck a few bites.    

It was a great meal and a fun time.  It was a very good thing that I managed to start my day off with a good workout - Cathe's Basic Step.  After a month hiatus, it is about time I start working out again.  Here is to a happy and healthy New Year!  Homemade Chili is on the menu for tonight.  I better get started on that.  Hopefully it turns out!