Chicken Nuggets

My kids love chicken nuggets. They would have them for every meal if I let them. So I was determined to find a healthier way for them to have them. This is not only healthy but they taste delicious and they eat them like they used to eat the processed ones.

Chicken Nuggets
Recipe Source: MelsKitchenCafe.com

2-3 slices Wheat Bread, for 1 cup of crumbs
1/2 teaspoon Basil
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup Panko Crumbs
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
2 Egg Whites
1 Tablespoon Water
4 boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into 1-inch sized pieces

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.

2. In a food processor or blender, place the slices of whole wheat bread and pulse until crumbs form. Add the basil, oregano and Parmesan cheese and pulse until combined. Pour the bread crumbs into a shallow dish and mix in the panko crumbs.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, egg whites and water until well combined. Pat the chicken cubes dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper. Toss the chicken cubes in the egg white/olive oil mixture before taking a few of them at a time and rolling them in the bread crumb mixture to coat evenly.

4. Place the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes. Using a pair of tongs, carefully flip the nuggets over and bake for 5 more minutes, or until cooked through. Serve immediately.

Chocolate Mousse Crunch Cake

Are you ready for your new favorite chocolate cake? This has everything. Chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, chocolate ganache, and Scor bars. Seriously, you'll need vanilla ice cream to go with it. Its rich and delicious!

Chocolate Mousse Crunch Cake

Recipe Source: OurBestBites.com

1 recipe The Best Chocolate Cake

1 recipe Chocolate Ganache, recipe follows

Chopped Scor bars, about 4 bars

1 teaspoon Unflavored Gelatin

1 Tablespoon Cold Water

2 Tablespoon Boiling Water (just heat it in a small bowl in your microwave)

1/2 cup Granulated Sugar

1/4 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

1 cup Whipping Cream

1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

1. Bake cake according to instructions in 2-8 inch round pans. Allow to cool and set aside.

2. In a small bowl, combine gelatin and cold water and allow to stand about 1 minute. While gelatin is softening, bring 2 Tablespoons water to a boil in the microwave. Whisk into the softened gelatin and allow to cool a little.

3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine sugar, cocoa powder, whipping cream, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until medium-stiff peaks form. Mix in gelatin mixture and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Prepare ganache.

Ganache
8 oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate
8 oz Heavy Cream

Combine chocolate and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 2 minutes and stir. Heat for an additional 1-2 minutes or until chocolate is fully melted and can be whisked into the cream. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to make sure all the chocolate is melted.

Assemble the Cake

With a serrated knife level the cake. Place one layer on the serving plate and spread 1/2 of the chocolate mousse over the cake. Sprinkle with Scor bits. Place second layer of cake on top of Scor bits.

Pour ganache over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides. Sprinkle with additional Scor bits and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Is there something that your mom makes that you love every single time? This is one of those things for me and it has turned into one of my husbands favorites. He calls them meatloaf balls, but they are so good and that just doesn't do them justice, unless your favorite food is meatloaf then I guess it might. The sauce is the best part, its well, sweet and sour, and its creamy and tangy. So worth making.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Recipe Source: Jennifer Belliston

Meatballs

1 lb Ground Beef

1/2 cup Bread Crumbs

1/3 cup Onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup Milk

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

1 Egg

Mix all ingredients together. Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls. Brown meatballs and put in a 9x13 pan.

Sauce

1 1/2 cups Ketchup

6 Tablespoons Butter

6 Tablespoons Molasses

6 Tablespoons Water

3 Tablespoons Vinegar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until butter is melted. Pour over meatballs. Bake for 30 minutes.

Cinnamon Honey Butter

So, maybe I am just behind the times but in my family growing up we didn't ever put anything on our rolls besides my mum's freezer jam. Now with a husband whose favorite food, probably in the whole world, is Texas Roadhouse rolls that come with that cinnamony butter, I figured I should probably find a recipe for something similar or we are going to go broke going there all the time. So thats what started my search and I think I found something that tastes even better. We put it on these rolls.

Cinnamon Honey Butter

Recipe Adapted from: AllRecipes.com

1/2 cup Salted Butter

1/2 cup Honey

1/2 cup Powdered Sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons Cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and with a mixer beat until light and fluffy.

Mandarin Orange Jell-O Salad

Are you ever just in the mood for something orange? When I saw this recipe I was and I had to make it. It is sweet and creamy with pops of mandarin oranges.

Mandarin Orange Jell-O Salad

Recipe Adapted from: MandysRecipeBox.blogspot.com

1-3.4oz box Instant Vanilla Pudding

2 cups Milk

1-3oz box Orange Jell-O

1-8oz tub Cool Whip

2 small cans Mandarin Oranges, drained

Whisk together the pudding mix and milk for 4 minutes. Stir in the orange Jell-O and refrigerate until thickened. Fold in Cool Whip and mandarin oranges. Refrigerate until set.

Banana Cake

I am several bananas that looked too ripe to eat and I didn't just want to make bread. So while I was on facebook one day I noticed a friend of mine had had the same question and someone had responded with a link to think recipe and I couldn't resist. It is a dense cake and the frosting adds some sweet tangy-ness.

Banana Cake

Recipe Source: BakeOrBreak.com

2 cups All-Purpose Flour
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
2 Large Eggs, at room temperature
1 Large Egg White, at room temperature
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
4 large Ripe Bananas
1/4 cup Milk

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease an 8-inch square pan. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

2. Using an electric mixer, beat butter, oil, and sugar. Beat in eggs and egg white, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla.

3. In a small bowl, mash bananas with milk and set aside. Gradually mix half of dry ingredients into butter mixture. Mix in bananas. Mix in remaining dry ingredients. Pour cake batter into prepared baking pan.

4. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Cool cake in pan on a wire rack.

Frosting

4 oz Cream Cheese, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
2 Tablespoons toasted nuts

Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese and vanilla. Reduce speed and gradually add powdered sugar. Spread frosting on cake. Sprinkle with nuts.

Chicken Corn Chowder

Sometimes you are just in the mood for a good soup and this soup is so good! Its creamy, the corn adds a little crunch, and the bacon adds the perfect amount of saltiness. So good on a cold day.

Chicken Corn Chowder
Recipe Source: BunsInMyOven.com

3-15oz cans Corn
6 slices Bacon, chopped
3 medium Potatoes
2 Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
3 cups Whole Milk
2 cups Chicken Broth
2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
1 teaspoon Dried Parsley Flakes
1/2 teaspoon Dried Thyme
1-4oz can Chopped Green Chiles
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
Salt and pepper
Grated Cheddar Cheese, for garnish

1. In a large stock pot, fry the bacon pieces until crisp. Remove from the pan, leaving the drippings, and set aside.

2. Peel and chop the potatoes into bite sized chunks. Place the potatoes into the stock pot and cook over medium heat about 2 or 3 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute.

3. Pour in the milk, chicken stock, Old Bay, thyme, parsley, cayenne, salt, and pepper, stirring until combined. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

4. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Add corn, chicken, and green chiles. Cook over low heat until heated through. Garnish with bacon, and cheddar cheese.