I love To Cook

I love to cook it is really that simple.  Problem is that I always cooked comfort foods.  You know the ones, the high calorie ones.  Those are so yummy and fun.  When I was banded I had to come up with some new and exciting foods that would be band friendly and healthy.  This is a life style adjustment, so a whole knew kind of thinking about cooking had to evolve for me.

I thought that I would share some of my Recipes with you that I have found along the way.  These will be easy, affordable meals that even your children will enjoy.

Today is  "Don't Miss Your Fried" Chicken Bites

Ingredients: 

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast tenderloins

1 C low fat buttermilk

1 box of whole wheat crackers ( I use Triscut Low Fat)

3 Tablespoons grated Parmesan or Romano Cheese

Directions:

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

2.) Take each chicken tenderloin and cut into bite sized pieces.  Salt and pepper chicken pieces.  Place all chicken pieces into a large bowl and pour buttermilk over. Marinate for 10 minutes.

3.) Meanwhile, pulverize box of crackers in a food processor or blender until crumbly (you  can also use a zip lock bag and a rolling pin to crush the crackers).  Pour the cracker crumbs onto a plate or bowl.  Take each chicken piece out of buttermilk and coat in the cracker mixture.  Repeat for the rest of the chicken.

4.) Lay cracker covered chicken pieces on to a baking sheet coated in nonstick cooking spray, and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top.

5.) Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until juices run clear.  If desired, turn to low broil for 1-2 minutes to toast top of chicken bites.  Remove from oven and let cool.  Serve warm with "Your Veggies Will Love This" Ranch Dip below.

I will tell you my family loves this recipe.  The boys ate it really well.  It was just like chicken nuggets but healthy ones.

"Your Veggies Will Love This" Ranch Dip

Ingredients:

2 cups low fat cottage cheese or fat free cottage cheese

1-2 Tablespoons of skim milk

1 packet of ranch seasoning mix (I like the Fiesta Ranch by Hidden Valley)

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1.) Put all ingredients in your blender or food processor and blend until smooth.  Serve with the chicken or any veggies that you can think of.  Fresh zucchini, cucumber, and yellow squash!  

I hope you love these recipes as much as we do.  Alan actually said when I asked him if he like the chicken, yes please make more next time (smiling).

There will be more to come!