Parmesan-crusted Chicken

*1/3 cup bread crumbs
*3 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese
*4 boneless-skinless chicken breasts (cut into strips if desired)
*1 tsp. season salt

Mix bread crumbs, cheese and season salt. Coat chicken with mixture and cook over medium (Spray pan generously with cooking spray.) until chicken is done.

Gravy (not pictured)
*1/3 cup cream cheese (I use reduced fat. Do NOT use Fat Free, it doesn't work well, I've tried.)
*2 cups chicken broth
*chives, onion powder to taste

Remove chicken from pan, add broth and cream cheese and seasonings. Cook until cream cheese has melted and mixture is smooth.

Serve chicken and gravy with baked or mashed potatoes or rice.

From the Critics
Brittany: 10

Brooklyn: 10

Damon: 10

Chocolate-Mug Cake

My grandma sent me this recipe in an email yesterday and I was curious so I tried it. However, I made some changes to the ingredients. Also, the picture in the email showed the cake in a large mug. I wasn't sure my regular-sized mugs were big enough for the full recipe so I divided it among 2 mugs and I'm glad I did. I would have had a huge mess in the microwave if I hadn't.


*1/4 cup flour
*1/4 cup sugar
*2 Tbsp. cocoa
*1 egg (I used egg substitute.)
*3 Tbsp. milk
*3 Tbsp. oil (I replaced the oil with APPLESAUCE.)
*3 Tbsp. chocolate chips (I used 1/4 cup. The more chocolate, the better, right?)
*splash of vanilla

Mix dry ingredients. Add egg, mix. Add milk and oil, mix well. Stir in chocolate chips and vanilla. Pour into 2 microwave-safe mugs. Cook 2-3 minutes in microwave.

From the Critics
Brittany: 10

Brooklyn: 1

Damon: 10

Macaroni Tomato Soup

My mom used to make this when my siblings and I were little. It was a favorite of mine.

*1/2 - 1 lb. ground turkey, I use extra lean (or  you can use ground beef)
*2 - 2 1/2 cups macaroni, uncooked
*4-6 cups tomato juice
*parsley, to taste
*salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste

Brown meat and cook macaroni. In large pot, combine all ingredients. If more liquid is needed, add water. Simmer until heated through.


Note: My measurements are just guesses, because I don't measure anything except the macaroni, so just do what looks/sounds good to you.

Pumpkin Cookies

*1 1/2 cups brown sugar
*1/4 cup shortening
*1/4 cup applesauce
*2 eggs
*1 3/4 cups flour
*1 Tbsp. baking powder
*1 tsp. cinnamon
*1/2 tsp. nutmeg
*1/2 tsp. salt
*1/2 tsp. ginger
*2 cups chocolate chips

Combine sugar, shortening and applesauce, mix. Add eggs. Beat well. Add remaining ingredients and mix. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes approx. 3 dozen cookies.

From the Critics
Brittany: 10

Brooklyn: 10

Damon: 10

Jodie's Carmel Popcorn

* 1 1/4 cups popcorn kernels

*1 cup butter (I use margarine)

*1/2 cup corn syrup
*2 cups brown sugar
*1 tsp. salt

Pop popcorn, put in really BIG bowl. Set aside. Combine other ingredients in sauce pan. Cook over medium heat stirring frequently. Boil for 5 minutes. (DO NOT stir while boiling.)

Add:
*1 tsp vanilla
*1/2 tsp. baking soda

Stir carmel mixture and pour over popcorn. Stir gently until well coated. Transfer to 2 large cookie sheets or large roasting pan. Bake one hour at 275 degrees, stirring every 15 minutes. Dump onto waxed paper and let cool.

From the Critics

Brittany: 10 - "Its super-duper yummy."

Brooklyn: 10 - No comment

Damon: 10 - "I like it really, really, so, so much!"

Pasta Soup

*1 3/4 cups macaroni
*3/4 cup dehydrated carrots

*1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

*3 1/2 Tbsp. minced onion

*3 1/3 Tbsp. chicken bouillon

*1 1/2 Tbsp. parsley

*1 3/4 tsp. oregano

*1/8 tsp. garlic powder

* 10 1/2 cups water

*1 large can canned chicken (optional)

In large pot, bring water to boil. Add remaining ingredients. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 40 minutes or until veggies and pasta are tender.

Slow Cooker: Combine all ingredients in slow cooker EXCEPT macaroni and Parmesan cheese. Cook on low 5-6 hours. Add Parmesan cheese. Stir occasionally. Cook macaroni on stove top and add to soup just before serving.

From the Critics

Brittany: 10 - "Its yummy!"

Brooklyn: 10 - "I ate way too much! I have a big tummy ache."

Damon: 10 - "I like it so much."

Tiny Spicy Chicken

My pictures of this dish didn't turn out very well, so you'll just have to use your imagination. But please note: If you compare this to what you'd find at a Chinese restaurant, the color of my finished product is a much lighter red.



* 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
* 1 egg, beaten
* ½ cup cornstarch

Cut chicken into strips. Dip in egg then roll in cornstarch. Spray skillet with non-stick cooking spray and cook chicken until brown. Spray 8x12-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place chicken in baking dish, set aside.

Sauce:
*1/2 cup sugar
* ½ cup vinegar
* ½ tsp. garlic powder
* ¼ cup ketchup
* 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
* ½ - 1 tsp. fire oil

Mix sauce ingredients and pour over chicken. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Do not cover. Sauce will thicken as it bakes. Be careful not to let it burn. Serve over rice.

Note: Fire oil is found in the oriental food section of grocery stores.

From the Critics:

Brittany: 10 - "I love this and I can't stop eating it."

Brooklyn: 5 - No comment.

Damon: 10 - No comment.