Parmesan Crusted Chicken

This was a quick throw-together meal.  It turned out pretty tasty.  I served the cutlets with steamed broccoli. 

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Ingredients
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 egg whites, lightly beaten with a fork
1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions
-Set up breading station using wax paper and a shallow dish for egg whites.
-Combine the parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.
-Butterfly each chicken breast to make 4 cutlets.
-Pat cutlets dry with a paper towel.
-Dredge each cutlet in the flour, tapping off excess.
-Dip each cutlet in the egg whites, coat thoroughly.
-Pat cutlets into the breadcrumb/cheese mixture.  Be sure to coat thoroughly.
-Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium high heat.
-Cook chicken about 3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
-Serve immediately.

Lemon Pepper Crusted Salmon

I am always looking for new ways to prepare fish, especially salmon.  The lemon pepper seasoning makes a crispy crust on the fish.  I served it with some asparagus sauteed with shallots, lemon and a little butter and some basmati rice.

Lemon Pepper Crusted Salmon

Ingredients
2 6 oz. salmon filets
1/2 Tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons Lemon Pepper seasoning (I used Lawry’s)

Directions
-Heat a nonstick skillet over medium high heat and preheat broiler.
-Add olive oil and salmon, skin side down and cook for about 3 minutes until browned.
-Season top of filets with 1 tsp. each of lemon pepper seasoning.
-Flip and cook for another 3 minutes – do not move the filets in the pan.
-While the salmon cooks, remove the skin.
-Add the lemon juice to the pan and swirl to coat and pick up brown bits.
-Put the pan under the broiler until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.

Pasta with Tomato, Spinach and Mozzarella

This meal has my favorite combination of flavors – fresh mozzarella, sweet grape tomatoes, basil and balsamic vinegar.  I make some variation of this meal at least once a week in the summer.  It’s light, fresh and delicious. 

Pasta with Tomato, Spinach, and Mozzarella

Ingredients
1 box pasta (any kind will do, I used Rotini this time)
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 lb. bocconcini, halved (or as I usually call them, little mozzarella balls)
1 cup baby spinach leaves, rinsed
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
5 large basil leaves, cut into chiffonade
Parmesan cheese for serving
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions
-Cook the pasta according to package directions to al dente, making sure to salt the water.
-Pour the vinegar into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer.  Allow it to reduce by half (about 10 – 15 minutes) – the vinegar should become thick and syrup like.
-Add the spinach leaves to the bottom of a large bowl.
-When the pasta is cooked, spoon it over the spinach into the bowl, allowing the spinach to wilt (about 2 minutes).
-Add the mozzarella and stir to combine.
-Add the grape tomatoes and some freshly ground black pepper.
-Top with balsamic reduction.
-Add basil and stir to combine.
-Serve with grated parmesan cheese.

Turkey Burgers

I love a good burger.  Burgers feel like summer to me.  I needed some summer in my life.  Good Things Catered had a turkey burger recipe and I had some turkey left over from my baked ziti, so I gave it a whirl.  Let me just say that these burgers were really yummy.  Hubs could not stop raving!  Next time I might just add some diced onion and minced garlic to the meat for a little more flavor.