Showing posts with label zucchini. Show all posts
Showing posts with label zucchini. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Recipe Box: Baked Breaded Chicken

When I get home at the end of the day I want something filling, but not too heavy. Healthy, but indulgent. I want to be the reason the hallway in my building smells so great. When people ask whose oven that aroma is coming from, I want to proudly say, "Mine!"

This easy recipe, paired with a Zucchini Souffle side dish, saved my reputation in the kitchen. [My first cooking experience to follow the recipe...] It's not the most exact in measurements, but that's what makes it your own. The Zucchini Souffle balances the chicken well and adds 2 full servings of vegetables on the side. Much better than mashed potatoes!

Baked Breaded Chicken
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Egg white
Milk
Bisquick
Italian flavored bread crumbs
NutraSalt Italian flavored Sea Salt (Low Sodium!)

Chili Powder
Garlic Powder

Preheat oven to 375.

Cut chicken into smaller pieces. In a bowl, combine 1 egg white with a splash of milk. Whisk with a fork until mixed.

In another bowl, combine equal parts Bisquick and bread crumbs. Add a dash of each remaining seasoning. Mix.

Dredge the chicken pieces in the wet mixture, then in the dry ingredients.

Place breaded pieces onto a greased baking sheet.

Cook for 45 minutes or until the internal temperature is 160 degrees. (I always use a meat thermometer to ensure safety)

What you get is nice juicy pieces of golden breaded chicken. The aroma will fill your kitchen and delight those you are cooking for. Because the chicken has been chunked into smaller pieces, it also helps to control portion size. Bon Appetite!


And now, a story...

My first time cooking:

The first time I cooked for my boyfriend I got the idea that he liked quiche. I researched recipes, did all my shopping and spent the good part of an afternoon assembling and baking this homemade quiche. When my boyfriend came over he appreciated my efforts. Even though he really wasn't a fan of quiche, he took a big serving of my culinary masterpiece. Of course this was after we sat around for hours beyond the recipe called for - waiting for the eggs to fully cook. It was 10p.m. by the time we deemed it safe to eat and he took a big first bite.

Boy was he surprised! He did his best to grin and then gulp down his bite. I think his future flashed before his eyes. The horrible meals to come, the nights having to pretend to eat, the acceptance that I could not cook like his mom, let alone cook at all. I didn't get what the big deal was until I took a bite. Oh my goodness. It was the nastiest thing I had ever eaten. I quickly looked at everything I had put into this bomb of a meal. Eggs..check. Cheese..check. Crust...oh. I didn't think of it at the time, but at the store I bought a pre-made crust for my quiche. Thinking all crusts were the same, I bought the one that resembled the picture on my recipe. Big mistake. I had made my quiche with a sweet shortbread crust. Needless to say, we ordered out that night.

Since that stomachache of a night, I have been working towards improving my reputation. After making my chicken recipe the other night, my boyfriend declared to me, "Wow! You are a really great cook." It took several years, but I have wiped away that memory of the quiche and am on the road to future culinary success. Thanks, Baked Breaded Chicken and Zucchini Souffle!

Friday, August 13, 2010

We're now in NY COSTCOs!

Starting this weekend, Garden Lites will be available in 15 different New York area COSTCOs!

We will only be available for a limited time, so take the opportunity to pick up your 6-pack Garden Lites Grilled Zucchini Souffle now!


The Grilled Zucchini Souffle has all the great nutrition you love about our other products:
  • All Natural, Gluten Free & Kosher
  • 2 full servings of vegetables per Soufflé
  • 140 calories per Soufflé
  • 9 grams of protein per Soufflé
The COSTCO pack includes six 7 oz. souffles and will be available at the following COSTCOs:

#226 – Westbury
#231 – Hackensack
#244 – East Hanover
#305 – Nanuet
#306 – Clifton
#308 – Waltham
#310 – Lawrence
#316 – Staten Island
#318 – Brooklyn
#319 – Dedham
#320 – Union
#323 – Edison
#329 – Ocean Township
#739 – Brick
#1062 – Manhattan

We hope you enjoy and that it helps you stock up for our "Get Real" Challenge!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Craving some zucchini...

Today the boss brought in zucchini fresh from his garden. It got me to reminiscing about sliced summer squash and zucchini dishes dripping with cheese and warm, fresh homemade zucchini bread right out of the oven with a layer of melted butter. As I wiped the drool from my mouth, I realized my relationship with zucchini wasn't as healthy as it could be.

Zucchini was meant to be good for you, not an excuse to pack in extra sugars and fats into your diet.

At moments of clarity, such as these, I think it's best to give myself a "get real"ity check.

Contender 1: Homemade Zucchini Bread

Stats:

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of the loaf)
Calories: 223
Total Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 26mg
Sodium: 180mg
Total Carbs: 31.4g
Dietary Fiber: 0.7g
Protein: 2.5g
Vitamin A: 1%
Vitamin C: 3%
Calcium: 3%
Iron: 9%

*Information provided on AllRecipes.com by ESHA Research


Contender 2: Garden Lites Zucchini Souffle

Stats:

Serving Size: 1 package (7oz. souffle)
Calories: 140
Total Fat: 1.5g
Cholesterol: 20mg
Sodium: 320mg
Total Carbs: 24g
Dietary Fiber: 3g
Protein: 7g
Vitamin A: 8%
Vitamin C: 35%
Calcium: 4%
Iron: 6%


The first thing that strikes me is the fat content of the zucchini bread - 10 grams!!!

Once my arteries have recovered, I'd like to point out a common misconception. Bread does not equal fiber. You'd have to eat more than 4 1/4 slices of zucchini bread to get the dietary fiber amount that's in one Garden Lites Zucchini Souffle. That would equal 947 calories, 42.5g of fat, 110mg Cholesterol...

Whether you're having a Garden Lites Zucchini Souffle as a side or a mini-meal, the benefits speak for themselves; it's a much healthier, more well-rounded option to eating your vegetables. Each souffle packs 2 full servings of vegetables (compared to the 0.16% serving of vegetables you get from a serving of fresh zucchini bread) and comes without guilt.


Also, it's ready in only 6-8 minutes in the microwave vs. 1 hr 40 minutes to make the zucchini bread.


Winner... Garden Lites Zucchini Souffle!!!