recipe: chicken parmesan baked quinoa

The last time I made quinoa, it tasted delicious, but I totally burnt a bunch of it and my pan. This time, I actually go it right! Two times to perfection, hell yes!

I made an easy version of this Baked Chicken Parmesan Quinoa. [AKA why make your own sauce when you can buy a delicious jar of it for $2?]

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 1 cup of quinoa
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 1 lb of boneless chicken breast
• 1 jar of your choice of pasta sauce
• 2/3 cup of mozzarella cheese
• 3 tbs bread crumbs
• 2 tbs parsley
• 2 tbs Parmesan cheese
• 1-2 tbs minced garlic
• 1 tbs cooking oil

WHAT YOU DO: 

1. In a large skillet, use the oil of your choice to cook the diced up chicken. [I added some italian seasonings just to bake extra flavor into the chicken]
2. Place the quinoa and broth into a pot and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat and cover, and cook until all the broth is absorbed. [Time has varied for me. I think it was about 15 minutes this time, but keep stirring/checking on it so it doesn't burn.]
3. In a large bowl, combine the quinoa and chicken, and add sauce to your liking. I used about 3/4 of the jar. 
4. Spray or wipe a baking dish with oil and put half the mixture in, then half the mozzarella cheese. Repeat with the other half of each. 
5. Add bread crumbs and parsley on top, cover with foil, and bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Uncover and cook for an additional 5-10, or until cheese is starting to brown.

Mine didn't come out nearly as pretty, but it was definitely delicious.

It's really just another "healthier" way to make your traditional chicken parmesan! I'm into it. It'll definitely be made again.

love,
elizabethany

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recipes: jalapeno cheddar and chicken parmesan burgers

Fourth of July means one very important thing: Using your grill! [And alcohol, and dressing up in red, white, and blue... and hopefully being by a pool or a beach....]

I'm no pro on the grill, but I've learned that I'm a lot better than any of the guys I hang out with, so I nominate myself to wo-man the grill.

On the menu this weekend: Chicken burgers, two ways. One for the people who can grow a pair and try new things, and one for the people who like to stick to the flavors they know. To be honest, I didn't really follow the recipes to their direct measurements! I decided to use them as a guide as to what to include, but added some of my own things in, and put the amounts that I wanted.

Here are the ingredients/what to do, and a link to the original recipes.

Cheddar Jalapeno Chicken Burgers:

NEED:

• ground chicken
• shredded cheddar cheese [I actually didn't add this]
• jalapeno
• yellow onion
• cumin
• paprika
• cilantro [I literally put this in/on everything, as a restaurant once told me to do.]
• cumin
• salt and pepper

DO: 

1. Combine the ingredients in a bowl, and form into 1/4 lb patties. [I use wax paper to help with the molding.]
2. Spread olive oil over both sides or on the grill rack.
3. Grill on medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes each side. Don't smush them down! They'll lose the juices. 
4. Put it on a bun and top it with guacamole, onions, and lettuce. 

Chicken Parmesan Burgers [Which I totally made from scratch, but here's some specific help for ya]

NEED:

• ground chicken
• your favorite spaghetti sauce
• diced onion
• Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• minced garlic
• shredded mozzarella cheese
• parsley
• cilantro

DO: 

1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, form into 1/4 lb. patties
2. Prepare the grill and cook over medium-high heat, 5-7 minutes each side. 
3. Put on a bun with extra marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. [You could add extra onions or lettuce, too.]

FYI: BOTH of them are flipping amazing. The jalapeno burgers weren't even hot after using a full, extremely ripe pepper for two burgers. Next time I'll definitely add more. 

Make them. Like tonight. 

love,

elizabethany

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pinspired recipe: chicken parmesan casserole is to die for

For whatever reason, I totally crave all things spaghetti/pizza/etc on the weekends. I try to feed the cravings with mini english muffin pizzas, but sometimes I need more.

Let me just tell you right now... this Chicken Parmesan Casserole that I found on Pinterest is the freakin' bomb diggity.

Making it is SO EASY. 

You need: 

• 2 tbs olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• some red pepper flakes, depending on how much spice you'd like to add
• 4-6 chicken breasts [to cover the bottom of your baking dish]
• 2-3 cups of marinara sauce, depending on how much sauce you'd like
• 2 cups of low fat mozzarella cheese
• parmesan cheese
• 3.5 oz of garlic or italian seasoned croutons
• basil. I used dried basil, so I just sprinkled a bunch across the whole plate

You DO: 

• Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Spread the garlic and red paper flakes and olive oil across the bottom of a 13x9 baking sheet
• Cover the sheet with your chicken, but don't overlap. 
• Put the marinara sauce on top of the chicken, then sprinkle the basil. 
• Put half of your mozzarella cheese on top, then sprinkle some parmesan cheese [I didn't use a whole lot because I'm not a big parmesan fan, but use what you'd like!]
• Put down a layer of croutons
• Throw the rest of the cheese on top, and bake for 40 minutes.

Seriously, the easiest. So easy, that when it came out, I didn't think twice about digging right in. I forgot this was something I was supposed to be showing off.

Yeah, the cheese on top was a little burnt because my oven hates cheesy things, but it was still amazing!

The croutons stayed a little crispy, but also soaked up some of the sauce and cheese which made it the perfect texture. [This may seem weird, but my mouth is super sensitive. Anything hard like croutons or cereal that hasn't been soaked in milk tears my gums up. Not fun.]

Considering most people have a lot of those ingredients on hand on any given day, it's a pretty solid option for a weeknight dinner... and I will absolutely be making it many more times. 

love,
elizabethany

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16 variations of grilled cheese, just because they're delicious

Pinterest has got me eye'ing all kinds of grilled cheese! I told my friend the other day that there were different variations, and he laughed at me saying "no grilled cheese is better than the original." I beg to differ, now that I've seen all of these.

For the recipes, click the link duh!

BACON, PEAR, AND RASPBERRY grilled cheese! I love the idea of adding fruits!

AVOCADO grilled cheese! Imagine it with turkey or bacon added....

LOADED BAKED POTATO grilled cheese! Yes, potato, sour cream, and all!

BLOOMIN' ONION grilled cheese! Complete with recipe for the infamous sauce!

DRUNKEN grilled cheese! Complete with beer and onions

FRENCH ONION SOUP grilled cheese! With such gooey goodness.

CHICKEN PARMESAN grilled cheese! Tomato sauce, basil, the works.

FRITO PIE grilled cheese! The real deal. 

HAWAIIAN grilled cheese! Ham, pineapples, cheese, roll! 

MACARONI AND CHEESE grilled cheese! Because just the sandwich isn't enough.

JALAPENO POPPER grilled cheese! This is the first one that made my mouth water.

LOADED NACHOS grilled cheese! Made with the WORKS! 

MEATBALL MARINARA grilled cheese! Look at that fancy bread!

SWEET AND SPICY CARMELIZED ONION grilled cheese! BBQ sauce, onions, peppers, yum!

WHITE PIZZA grilled cheese.. just as you'd imagine

PULLED PORK grilled cheese! With added beer for your pleasure!

Wowza. I need to get to the grocery store and prepare to eat sandwiches all weekend long. The gym can wait 'til next week, these look way better anyway.

love,
elizabethany

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