Chicken Parmesan

You really don't need very much oil to fry your favorites.  Here is a recipe that proves a little oil can go a long way when it comes to taste.  If you are making this for 2, the recipe easily cuts in half and you only need 2 tsp of olive oil in 1 frying pan.  That's only 1 tsp per person, or 1/3 of a typical serving!

¼ c grated Parmesan, plus 2 tbs extra for serving 

¼ c Panko breadcrumbs
1 lb boneless, skinless, chicken breasts, split in half to make 6 to 8 large, thin cutlets
Salt and pepper
4 tsp olive oil
Reduced fat or low fat buttermilk

Marinara sauce

1. Place the chicken in a Ziploc bag and cover with buttermilk.  Let it marinate overnight, or at least 4 hours.
2. On a plate, combine the breadcrumbs and ¼ c Parmesan. Sprinkle chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Dip the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture to coat completely; set aside on a large plate or platter.
3. Heat 2 tsp oil in each of two nonstick 10-inch skillets over medium-high heat. Add half of the chicken to each skillet and cook until lightly browned on one side, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip, and cook until chicken is firm, and lightly browned on the other side, 1 to 3 more minutes.

4. Top with a spoonful of marinara sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Recently I changed this recipe a bit to make breaded chicken sandwiches. Here's what you need to know to turn 1 recipe into 2 recipes:

1. Instead of cutting the chicken breasts into thin cutlets, use a meat mallet to pound them to about a 1/2-inch thickness.  Then cut the chicken in half to create a shape more suited for sandwich buns.

2. Season the chicken however you'd like before dipping them in the crumbs.  I used salt, pepper, onion powder, and paprika.  Forget the Parmesan and just use the plain Panko crumbs to coat the chicken.

3. Cook the chicken the same way.  Serve on a whole wheat or whole grain bun with lettuce, tomato, or whatever you like!

Half-Guilt Banana Bread

I have been trying for awhile to bake a healthier banana bread. What else can you do with the bananas your kid refused to eat all week? I found a recipe online that worked well with substitutions. First I tried replacing all the butter with regular vanilla yogurt. The texture was wonderful and very moist, but it didn't taste quite the same. Still good, but not what you expect when you crave banana bread. Next I tried replacing the butter with light vanilla yogurt, which was simply just a bad idea. Finally, I tried replacing half the butter with regular vanilla yogurt, and even my husband, the banana bread connoisseur, couldn't tell the difference!

I plan on applying this idea to other banana bread recipes and cake recipes as well. Here's to half-guilt goodies!

3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/6 cup vanilla yogurt 

1/6 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F. With a wooden spoon, mix yogurt and butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Spray a 4x8 inch loaf pan lightly with cooking spray and pour in the mixture. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve. 

I seriously just throw everything into my KitchenAid and it's done in minutes.  Easiest recipe ever.  You can add walnuts or even chocolate chips if you like.  If you like a hard crust, let the banana bread cool all the way on the rack and then eat.  If you like a soft crust like I do, let it cool mostly on the rack and then wrap in plastic wrap.  After a short while it should be moist and ready to eat.

After 50 Pounds

With all this talk about success I thought it would be appropriate to finally post some before and after pictures. Granted, I've still got a bit to go, but 50 pounds is quite a significant mark, I'd say!

Before at size 18, weighing 188 lbs

After at size 8, weighing 138 lbs

 The sad thing is that I didn't even realize how much different I look until I put these pictures side by side.  I haven't been this size since high school.  I only wish I would have made the changes sooner, but we can't relive the past.  And who would want to anyway?!  It's never too late to get what you want out of life.