baked chicken parm – townie
i had taken out 2 packages of chicken yesterday then remembered that we didnt need leftovers – so i only used one package – leaving me with a package of chicken i HAD to use today! this chicken was YUMMY the kiddos gobbled it up and left one small piece for the husband… the kids ate it with a side of peas – the husband had some leftover pizza alongside his chicken 🙂 i’ll definitely make it again but use double the chicken!
Baked Chicken Parmesan
adapted from skinnytaste
- 1lb thin sliced chicken breast
- 3/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 3/4 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup marinara
- cooking spray
Preheat oven to 450°. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and spray lightly with spray.
Combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Melt the butter in another bowl. Lightly brush the butter onto the chicken, then dip into breadcrumb mixture. Place on baking sheet and repeat with the remaining chicken.
Lightly spray a little more cooking oil on top and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.Turn chicken over, bake another 5 minutes. Remove from oven, spoon sauce over chicken and top with shredded cheese. Bake 5 more minutes or until cheese is melted.
lasagna!
bumpkin was making lasagna for dinner and asked if i had the fixings for it too — turns out i did… i don’t think i make it the traditional way – this is my own way of making it — usually its more saucy… i decided to try making it less saucy…. and i definitely like it more saucy 🙂
ingredients
- ground beef
- spaghetti sauce
- ricotta
- no-boil lasagna noodles (barilla & ronzoni both make some)
- shredded mozzarella
- seasonings
- brown ground beef and drain.
- add in spaghetti sauce til its the consistency you like.
- season to taste
- pour some spaghetti sauce in the bottom of your pan to coat
- put down enough lasagne noodles to cover bottom
- spread ricotta over the noodles
- spoon meat sauce over everything
- put mozzarella over meat sauce
- repeat 5-8 til you get to the top
- put lasagne noodles to cover the top
- spread spaghetti sauce over noodles
- top with a ton of cheese
- bake at 350 for about an hour
Lasagna – Bumpkin
We had our monthly dinner this week and it was our turn to host. It was our friend’s birthday so I asked if he had requests. He wanted lasagna, which was freaking me out a bit since I don’t really eat it. Thus, I had NEVER made it. I went in search of a recipe high in meat and low in ricotta, because the cheese is usually what grosses me out. I found this recipe, from Giada De Laurentis and it was sooooo good. We ALL loved it, even the kids went back for seconds. I will HAVE to make it again and again (it was also yummy leftover)!!
The only modifications I made from her original recipe (typed below) were that I used a rib roast rather than short ribs, because I wanted more meat to increase the serving sizes, and I rolled fresh spinach into SOME (the bday boy doesn’t like cooked spinach) of the rolls rather than mix frozen spinach into the cheese mixture. I PROMISE you will LOVE this lasagna, even if you aren’t a fan, generally.
Please excuse the photo. I COMPLETELY forgot to take a plated photo and only when I was packing up leftovers did I remember!
PS: The bday boy also requested tiramisu, which I have ALSO never made before. While the flavor was delicious, it didn’t set right and looked like chocolate slop on a plate, thus no photo EVER of that attempt. I suggest the recipe, though. Try it and let me know.
Short Rib Lasagna Rolls
adapted from Giada’s at foodnetwork.comIngredients
Ribs:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 1/2 pounds beef short ribs
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 2 (4-inch) sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 cups red wine, such as pinot noir
- 2 cups beef broth
Filling:
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups grated Pecorino Romano (6 ounces)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (4 ounces)
- 1 (10-ounce) packet frozen spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed of excess liquid
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
- 12 lasagna noodles (about 10 ounces)
- Butter, for greasing baking dish
- 1 (25-ounce) jar marinara sauce – I used my homemade sauce, canned last Fall
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- Olive oil, for drizzling
Let’s Make It!
For the ribs: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stockpot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Season the ribs with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Add the ribs to the pan and cook until brown, about 4 minutes each side. Remove the ribs and set aside. Add the onions, garlic, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until the onions are translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Increase the heat to high. Add the wine and scrape up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add the beef broth and ribs to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pan, and cook until the meat is very tender , 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Remove the ribs and set aside until cool enough to handle, about 20 minutes. Discard the bones and cooking liquid. Using 2 forks, shred the meat into 2-inch long pieces (to yield approximately 2 1/4 cups shredded meat).
For the filling: In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring the milk and cream to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low. Add the cheeses and whisk until melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the spinach, basil, and garlic. Place the shredded meat in a medium bowl and pour the spinach mixture on top. Add the salt and pepper. Using a fork, mix until combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until just tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9 by 13-inch glass baking dish.
Spread 1 cup marinara sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Lay 4 noodles flat on a dry work surface. Spread 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the filling mixture evenly along each noodle. Roll up and place seam-side down in the baking dish. Repeat with the remaining noodles and filling to make 12 lasagna rolls. Spoon the remaining marinara sauce on top and sprinkle with Parmesan. Drizzle with olive oil, and bake until the lasagna rolls are heated through and the cheese is beginning to brown, about 25 minutes.
Town Mouse and Country Mouse 