Thursday, July 26, 2012

Spinach and Ricotta Chicken Breasts



There was no recipe for this meal, I made it up as I went along. It was GREAT, it was EASY, and it will for sure be on my make again list.

Ingredients

4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 C ricotta
1 t minced garlic
1 large can breadcrumbs
1 handful spinach leaves, chopped

Directions

1. Mix minced garlic, and chopped spinach into ricotta.
2. Cut small slice into side of each chicken breast, creating a pocket.
3. Place 1/4 of mixture into each chicken breast pocket. Toothpick closed.
4. Roll each stuffed chicken breast into breadcrumbs until coated.
5. Bake on 350 until cooked thru, about 40 minutes.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Corn and Crab Cakes




Cakes:
1/2 cup fresh yellow corn kernels
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
3 tablespoons chopped green onions
3 tablespoons canola mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3/4 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
8 ounces crab claw meat, shell pieces removed
1 large egg, lightly beaten $
1 1/2 cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs), divided
Cooking spray $
1 1/2 tablespoons butter, divided

Sauce:
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped green onions
3 tablespoons canola mayonnaise
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Dash of kosher salt
1 drop hot pepper sauce

Preparation
1. To prepare cakes, combine first 8 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring until well blended. Stir in 3/4 cup panko. Divide mixture into 8 equal portions; shape each into a 1-inch-thick patty. Arrange patties in a single layer on a small baking sheet. Place patties in freezer for 20 minutes or until firm.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add remaining 3/4 cup panko to pan; coat panko lightly with cooking spray. Cook 2 minutes or until toasted, stirring frequently. Place toasted panko in a shallow dish; dredge crab cakes in toasted crumbs. Wipe pan clean with paper towels.
3. Melt 2 1/4 teaspoons butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; swirl to coat. Coat both sides of 4 cakes with cooking spray. Add coated cakes to pan; cook 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove from pan, and keep warm. Repeat procedure with remaining butter, cooking spray, and crab cakes.
4. To prepare sauce, combine parsley and remaining ingredients in a small bowl, stirring well. Serve with cakes.


Feedback:

YUMMMM! There's not much else to say! This was so easy, I had them whipped together within 10 minutes. I ate them without the sauce, so I can only imagine how much better they are going to be when I make that for the leftovers. For sure a make again recipe, and I'll be using it for dinner parties in the future!