Cornflake Chicken and other recipes

I'm linking up with Merrick again today sharing a quick, easy dinner.  So, what's the quickest, easiest thing I make for dinner that still passes as "real food"?  First, I thought of Monte Cristo sandwhiches, but then Janssen said "that doesn't include two cups of sugar" and really, those sandwhiches taste best smothered in jam, syrup, and powdered sugar so. . .

Cornflake Chicken

Take some chicken breasts or tenders, dip them in melted butter or margarine, and then dip in a bowl of crushed cornflakes, pressing the cornflakes onto the chicken to help them stick. Place on a cookie sheet with foil, drizzle any remaining butter over the top, and bake at 350 degrees until the chicken is cooked through (the time it takes will depend on how much chicken you're making, roughly 15-20 minutes?)

That's it!  There are plenty of ways you could fancy it up if you wanted, but that's all I do and it really is the easiest, most delicious dinner I know.  Serve it with rice or potatoes and a vegetable.  It's also great with ranch dressing.  I don't have any pictures so you'll have to use your imagination.

And since mentioned it, I want to share this quick and easy recipe too.  It's one my mom used to make, and I wouldn't ever eat it as a kid because I thought I didn't like it, but I don't think I ever really gave it a try until well into college.  Now it's one of my favorites!  And my husband's, too.  I like that it's really different than most of the dinners I make so I go to this if I'm sick of the same old same old recipes I always cook.  It also works as a breakfast. 

Monte Cristo Sandwiches

12 slices white bread with crusts removed

6 slices ham

6 slices turkey

12 slices swiss cheese

mayonnaise

1 cup pancake mix

1 cup milk

2 eggs

Raspberry jam

Powdered sugar

Preheat griddle to 350 degrees.  Make sandwiches with mayo, swiss cheese, and meats.  Mix eggs, milk, and pancake mix.   Cut sandwiches diagonally in half.  Dip sandwiches in mix and grill on all sides, including edges.  Top with jelly and powdered sugar.  (I also top with maple syrup.)

And. . . .

my latest pinterest finds:

Double Crunch Honey Garlic Pork Chops  also in chicken breast form here.  This one is completely amazing--really flavorful with awesome crunch.  However, the recipe calls for more than twice as much of everything than you actually need for the amount of meat it calls for.  Last time I made it I cut the breading, egg wash, and honey garlic sauce in half and it was still too much--be warned.   

Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup   I get this soup at Zupas every single time I go (I don't know what any of their other soups taste like because I always have to get this one).  So when I saw this on pinterest claiming to was just like Zupas I was really excited but prepared to be disappointed--but I wasn't.  It was awesome

Kettlecorn

I may or may not have made a batch of this kettle corn about once a day for the past week. . . and eaten the whole thing myself.  It kind of has the most amazing texture of any kettle corn I've ever eaten and only takes about 5 minutes.  Here is a link to the recipe.  You're welcome.
Click here for amazing Kettlecorn recipe

It's from OurBestBites and f you have their book it's on Page 256!

Recipes

I just want to take a moment and share some of my new absolutely favorite recipes. I'm sure any of you who cook and follow cooking blogs already know about Our Best Bites, but I recently discovered it and love them. I got the book, have already tried half of it's recipes, and by now am confident that every single recipe of theirs rocks. I am OBSESSED with these taquitos and so is my husband.
Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos

I've probably made them once a week since I discovered them. They are awesome with this dressing.

Creamy Lime-Cilantro Dressing

Also, new favorite:

Spicy Honey Chicken Salad


The chicken is good on its own but better in the salad. Most amazing entree salad I've ever had. Soooo good!

One more. I got this from my friend Shelly's blog and it's the easiest thing in the world and they last for like 10 meals (also Steph, very healthy). I served it over brown rice with cheese and veggies like the recipe says, but they are also good to eat just with tortilla chips, wrapped up in a burrito, or to dip the taquitos in (see above). Thanks Shelly I love these!

Cuban Black Beans

1 lb. black beans

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves minced garlic

6 C. water

1/2 C. olive oil

2-3 tsp. salt

Cook on High 6-8 hours

-It recommends to add 1/4-1/2 C white vinegar about an hour before serving. However, I left this out because it had a ton of flavor without it. It tastes delicious served over brown rice or even quinoa.

We add a little cheese (I like it w/Monterrey Jack,) tomatoes, some sautéed veggies.

I am having grocery budget blues. I'm on a huge try-new-recipes kick and when trying a new recipe I often have zero of the ingredients (spices!) and can spend half my grocery budget for the week buying everything for one new recipe. Besides that my husband and I both have a ridiculous sweet tooth and . . . bottom line we love to eat. A lot. I fantasize about being rich someday and walking through the grocery store putting every single thing that strikes my fancy into the cart. Buying endless fresh produce, expensive meat, name brand everything without time-consuming price comparison. mmm. . . food. . . love it. I dream big huh?