Tasty Tuesday's

Chicken Breasts with Parmesan Pesto

Ingredients

• 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 2 pounds total)
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Pesto (see recipe below)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Fresh basil sprigs (optional)

Directions

1. Place each chicken breast half between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. Pound lightly with the flat side of a meat mallet to a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Remove plastic wrap. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. Spoon a slightly rounded tablespoon of the Parmesan Pesto onto each chicken breast half; spread pesto over chicken. Fold in bottom and sides of each chicken breast half; roll up into a spiral. Secure with wooden toothpicks.
3. Heat butter and oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add chicken rolls; cook, uncovered, about 20 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink, turning occasionally for even browning. Remove toothpicks.
4. Transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with basil sprigs, if desired. Makes 6 servings.
5. Parmesan Pesto: Place 1 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves, 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 1 small clove garlic, halved, in a blender or food processor. Cover and blend or process until smooth, stopping as necessary and scraping side of container. Makes 1/2 to 2/3 cup pesto.

Recipe Source: BHG.com

Stranger

So I’m aware that I have completely fallen off the blogging map but I’m back for the time being seeing as how I actually have free time! My life has been totally crazy but I have managed to fit some books in…so lets get to it!

I just finished reading ‘And Then There Was You’ by Nora Roberts. The book consists of two different stories, each about home. The First is ‘Island of Flowers’ in which the main character, Laine Simmons, goes to Hawaii to find her father. However, when she finds him she also meets her father’s business partner, Dillon O’Brian. Despite being incredibly handsome, Dillon keeps a close and suspicious eye on Laine, and sometimes she doesn’t mind at all…

The second story, ‘Less of a Stranger’ is about Megan Miller and her grandfather, who is the only family she has left. The two of them own and run Joyland Amusement Park but when the gorgeous David Katcherton strolls in and try’s to not only to buy Joyland but win Megans heart…well things get a little complicated.

I personally was more of a fan of ‘Less of a Stranger’ but both were a great and easy read!



Currently I’m reading ‘You Slay Me’ by Katie MacAlister. I just started it today but I’m really enjoying it! Description via Katie MacAlister’s web site: The first book in a sexy, humorous paranormal thriller series featuring Aisling Grey, an apprentice Guardian, and her sometimes boyfriend, sometimes foe Drake Vireo, wyvern (leader) of one of the four dragon septs. Aisling finds her true calling when she travels to Paris to deliver a medieval object that is part of a set sought after for the power it wields. There she meets the handsome Drake, a man who is not at all what he seems. Implicated in the circumstances of two murders, Aisling, the demon she summons for help (and subsequently can’t get rid of) named Jim, and Drake find themselves caught up in a web of lies and confusion that could well result in the demon lords of hell ruling the mortal world.

Up next for me to read is ‘Stray’ by Rachel Vincent. Description via Rachel Vincent’s web site: I look like an all-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds. Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself. Until the night a Stray attacked. This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back... for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I'm no meek kitty. I'll take on whatever and whoever--I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays--'cause I got claws, and I'm not afraid to use them...





Currently Listening To:
'Little Lion Man' by Mumford & Sons

Picture of the Day:

Quote of the Day:
“Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over.” ~ Gloria Naylor

Finally

Its been awhile since I last posted. I’ve been extremely busy with work, school, and personal things as well. Currently I am sitting at my desk, chugging Dunkin’ coffee (medium, cream, eight sugars) Yumm. A couple of days ago I finished the book ‘She’s Gone Country’ by Jane Porter. It was a good read and I enjoyed it until the end however…It was too sudden, the relationship between Shey and Dane took too sharp of a turn in their relationship. Or maybe it was just the book, I feel like more pages needed to be added to show the growth of their time together as a couple. Not just BOOM! Prego! Married! But in any case I’m glad that I read it and despite my feelings about the end, would still recommend this book to others. Currently I am reading ‘Going Too Far’ by Jennifer Echols. So far I like it, its set in a small town (a little like the one I grew up in), and it’s about two people crossing paths who in other circumstances wouldn’t. I’m right in the middle of the book, in the balance between what you think will happen and what actually will; I’ll let ya know how it goes. Also, my next purchase will be ‘The Chosen One’ by Carol Lynn Williams. The book is about a 13-year-old trapped in a polygamist cult – very excited to read.

Tasty Tuesday

Veggie Fettuccine Alfredo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recipe Nutrition

Per serving: 385 calories; 11 g fat (6 g saturated fat, 2 g mono unsaturated fat); 33 mg cholesterol; 53 g carbohydrates; 21 g protein; 9 g fiber; 628 mg sodium; 379 mg potassium Nutrition Bonus: Calcium (40% daily value), Vitamin C (25% dv), Vitamin A & Zinc (20% dv), Magnesium (18% dv).

Recipes to Help You Get Healthy in a Hurry.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth (see Tips for Two)
• 4 large cloves garlic, peeled
• 4 ounces whole-wheat fettuccine
• 1 small zucchini, cut into matchsticks
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch, mixed with 1 tablespoon water
• 2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream
• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, or to taste
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Combine broth and garlic cloves in a small saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the garlic cloves are soft, about 15 minutes.
2. After the garlic has simmered about 10 minutes, cook fettuccine in the boiling water, stirring often, for 8 minutes. Drop in zucchini and cook until the fettuccine is just tender, about 1 minute more.
3. Meanwhile, transfer the garlic and broth to a blender. Process until the mixture is smooth, about 1 minute. (Use caution when blending hot liquids; see Tip.) Return the mixture to the pot and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add cornstarch mixture; whisk it until slightly thickened, about 15 seconds. Remove from the heat and whisk in sour cream, nutmeg and pepper. Return the pot to very low heat to keep the sauce warm. (Do not boil.)
4. Drain the pasta and place in a large bowl. Add the sauce and 1/2 cup Parmesan; toss to coat well. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately, passing the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan separately.
5. Tips for Two: Leftover canned broth keeps up to 5 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in your freezer. Leftover broth in aseptic packages keep for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Add to soups, sauces, stews; use for cooking rice and grains; add a little when reheating leftovers to prevent them from drying out. Pureeing hot liquids: Hot liquids can splatter out of a blender when it’s turned on. To avoid this, remove the center piece of the lid. Loosely cover the hole with a folded kitchen towel and turn the blender on. Better airflow will keep the contents from spewing all over the kitchen—and yourself.

Currently Listening To:

I'll Be Your Lover Too by Robert Pattinson

Picture Of The Day:

Quote Of The Day:
"A book should teach us to enjoy life, or to endure it." ~Samuel Johnson

Tasty Tuesday's

Chocolate Caramel Apples

Servings: 8

 

Take caramel apples to new heights with these dark chocolate-dipped, pecan-studded delights. You'll never go back to plain old caramel apples again. Be sure to let the caramel firm up before dipping the apples in the chocolate glaze. Serve this decadent treat at Halloween parties or give them away as a stunning holiday gift. Using nice, tart apples such as Granny Smith will give the apples a sophisticated slant that will appeal to grown up tastes.

Igredients

• 2 14-ounce packages vanilla caramels, unwrapped
• 2 tablespoons water
• 8 to 10 medium apples
• 8 to 10 wooden craft sticks
• 2-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate pieces (15 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon shortening
• 1-1/2 cups chopped pecans, toasted, and/or coarsely chopped peanuts

Directions

1. Butter a piece of foil; place on a baking sheet. Set aside. In a medium saucepan combine caramels and water. Cook over medium-low heat until caramels are melted and smooth, stirring frequently. Turn heat to low.
2. Wash and dry apples. Insert stick into stem end of each apple. Dip apples into hot caramel mixture, spooning caramel over apples to coat entirely. Allow excess caramel to drip off. Place on prepared foil; let stand about 30 minutes or until firm.
3. In a small saucepan melt chocolate pieces and shortening over low heat, stirring constantly. Dip bottom halves of apples in chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Sprinkle with nuts. Place on a piece of unbuttered foil or waxed paper set on a baking sheet. Let stand about 30 minutes or until set. Makes 8 to 10 servings.
4. Although most apple varieties will work for Chocolate Caramel Apples, youngsters may prefer sweeter ones, such as Gala, Delicious, or Crispin. Many adults, however, will delight in the contrast of sweet caramel with tart apples, such as Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Jonathan

Currently Reading:

'Destined for an Early Grave' by Jeaniene Frost



Currently Listening To:

'Just a Dream' by Nelly

Picture Of The Day:

Quote Of The Day:

"Life happened because I turned the pages." ~Alberto Manguel