"Parmesan Chicken"

Well I put this title in quotes cause I know it isn't really Parmesan chicken but that is what I call it cause I like to pretend that the other ingredient doesn't exist. I got this recipe from my mom and I love it the chicken is always so moist and tasty. I remember calling her from Colorado one day while on a high school trip to try and get the recipe so I could cook it for everyone and I have remembered it since then. Granted it is pretty easy.

Ingredients

Chicken Breasts or I use Chicken Schnitzel in NZ

Mayo

Parmesan

1) Mix mayo and grated parm together till you get a nice grainy looking mayo. I use alot of parm cause I like it. You can't have too much

2) Place chicken on an plain baking dish (I use my 13x9 pyrex)

3) Cover chicken with parm mixture and place under the grill/broiler until it gets nice and brown (like in the picture)

4) Turn over and repeat on the other side

Now you have to know your oven and how it will cook cause back in Houston the broiler would be enough to cook the chicken but I find my oven will grill it too quickly before the chicken is cooked. So I crank the oven up while I prepare then stick the chicken in a hot oven and leave to bake for a few minutes (about 5) to get it cooked through then follow the rest. Be careful on the second side if you have it nice and brown and leave it in the oven I find it will continue to brown, so if you want to bake a bit then do it before you brown. Also no cheating and using light mayo or for the New Zealanders it has to be the good stuff the thick stuff (American Style, Best Foods, or Seriously Good Mayonnaise) Otherwise it is too runny and the topping will just run off and that is the best bit.

Chocolate Chip Slab Cookies

Well this recipe is going to be a bit difficult for some of you cause it is all done on weight. I have made it a quite a few times but just use my scales so don't know any other measurements. But it is really quick and easy and great for a quick bake sale or treat to take somewhere as it tastes great and I usually have all the ingredients already. It is also great for a recipe to make with Kids, Emma always helps with this one, especially at the end.

Ingredients

220g/7.75 oz butter, softened

200g/7oz brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

300g/10.5oz plain flour

200g/7oz chocolate chips, but really I just put as many as I feel in. (Well usually however many Emma feels like)

1) Cream butter and sugar until nice and creamy it really is the secret

2) Beat in the vanilla

3) It says stir in the recipe but I usually beat in the flour but just lightly until it is combined.

Now the first time I made this I thought something must be wrong and spend another 2 batches trying to fix it when eventually I realized it was best when I stuck to the recipe. But it will be really dry and like breadcrumbs but don't worry.

4) Stir in chocolate chips, which is easy to do as it is really dry.

5) Pour into a greased 13x9 dish, or whatever dish you like. Press down (this is where Emma helps the most) when you press down you will finally see it moisten up a bit ad clump together.

6) Bake at 180C/350F for 20-25 mintues, until the edges get nice and brown.

7) When cool (if you can wait) just cut into squares and serve.

I used to find these a bit dry compared to my other cookies but they are really addictive and everyone who has tried them has really liked them.

More Cakes

Emma's Pink and Purple Cake with Marshmellows and Sprinkles, as requsted.

Joanna's Super Dupper Chocolate Lover's Cake

The Cake for our 30th, it was a big one, two cakes on one.

Lasagna

This is my mom's recipe but for some reason even though we both use the same recipe it seems to turn out differently than when my mom makes it. So maybe it will come out differently when you make it. This recipe is really easy and is a bit healthier than the more traditional recipe.

Ingredients

1/2lb/500g ground beef/mince

2-3 cans tomato puree/sauce

1 tbls Basil

1 tbls Oregano

Garlic

1 packet of Lasagna sheets

1kg of cottage cheese (I like cheese)

Directions

1) Brown meat and drain fat

2) Add tomato puree, basil, oregano and garlic

3) Simmer for approx 15 minutes, the sauce will thicken up a bit and that is good.

4) For the US cook the pasta according to the directions, in NZ use the instant sheets or you can also use fresh sheets.

5) In a baking dish place everything in layers

Tomato

Pasta

Cheese

Tomato

Pasta

Cheese and so on...

6) End with the cheese then cover with Mozzarella cheese and Parmesan.

7) Bake in over at 180C/350F for 30-35 minutes till nice and bubbly.

8) When ready let stand for about 5 minutes to let set, this is the hardest part of the whole process.

Oh and sorry for the sad picture but I only had one piece left to take a picture of.

Alfredo Sauce

This recipe is so yummy. I have wanted to try and make this for a long time and tried it and it is great! You can buy Alfredo sauce from the store but it isn't as good as this. It doesn't reheat that great, the butter separates but it does still tastes good. It is also a good excuse to eat it all that night.

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

2-3 cloves garlic (I have used just garlic powder)

3 tbls flour

pepper

2 cups cream

1 cup Parmesan cheese

1 cup mozzarella

Directions

1) Melt Butter in a sauce pan

2) Add garlic and cook for a few minutes. Don't let the garlic burn if you use real garlic.

3) Add flour and pepper, stir for a minute

4) Add cream and let simmer for about 2 minutes, make sure it doesn't boil

5) Remove from heat or place on low and add Parmesan. At this point you can add the Mozzarella if you want to.

6) Once melted remove from heat and pour over pasta of your choice.

With all that wonderful butter, and cream and cheese. It isn't the healthiest meal in the world but who said I was healthy.

Bacon & Egg Pie

Well here is my version of a Kiwi Favorite.

Ingredients

Puff Pastry

Approx a dozen eggs

Bacon

Cheese

Tomatos & Onion Optional

1) Roll out puff pastry to cover bottom and side of pan, here I used a 13 x 9 pan but you can use a smaller one or even make individual ones as well.

2) Cut up bacon and fry. You don't have to fry the bacon but I like the extra flavor it gives.

3) Add cut up tomato and onion if you like, Matt likes it so I do it for his half, mine is nice and plain.

4) Break eggs over bacon and run a knife through it to break up eggs a bit.

5) Cover with cheese and another layer of puff pastry

6) Seal sides and brush with milk or egg to make it nice and golden.

Here are some photos of the final product.

Crispy Chicken Stips

I found this recipe online and tried it but due to some ingredients unavailable I have changed it a bit. But these are so good and for the American's they are like Chilli's Chicken Crispers which are great. I love them.

Ingredients

Chicken Breasts 2 BIG ones is enough cut into strips

1 Cup Flour

2 Cups Self Raising Flour or Bisquick

1 tbls seasoning salt or salt

approx 2 cups club soda/soda water (this is the key)

1) Coat chicken pieces if flour and let dry for 5-10 minutes.

2) Combine flour and salt and add club soda, enough to make an thick batter, mine is always a bit clumpy but doesn't seem to matter.

3) Deep fry for about 6-8 minutes until golden brown.