in the closet

jack is a closet reader....... he "admitted" to us the other night that he secretly reads a lot of things :) this cracked josh and i up! we are thrilled that he is reading. we are thrilled that he enjoys reading. we are thrilled that he finally shared with us that he reads all the time. :)

menu

Friday: Chicken Cutlets (new recipe),Smashed red skins and German butterball potatoes, fruit

Saturday: yummy kabobs! three meat--chicken, kielbasa and shrimp with veggies galore! bread and herbed brown rice

sunday: el rancho take out

monday: day 1 back to work for me--burgers on the grill, corn on the cob, and fruit salad

tuesday: tb has her open house and josh needs a quick meal before jack's open house--french toast and bacon

wednesday: tb appt--tacos, lime rice, black beans

thursday: pork, rice or potatoes of some sort, grilled asparagus

friday; grilled steaks, baked potatoes, grilled broccoli

saturday: big lunch--neighborhood bbq of burgers and hot dogs! make your own dinner i suppose

sunday: ribs???

monday: chicken marsala, angel hair pasta, salad

tuesday: back to work and school!!!! blts, chips, fruit

wednesday: luke's first day of school and tb big appt in gr for grad class so we are going to order pizza!

there at least a week or two planned :)

chicken cutlets
NEED:
thin chicken cutlets (mine were too think) or use pork or veal
salt
pepper
panko bread crumbs
3 eggs beaten 
flour
parmesean cheese
thyme
parsley
garlic
lemon rind (i did not use)
oil for frying

DO:
salt and pepper chicken
run a knife though the garlic, thyme and parsley until finely meshed together (also lemon rind if using). mix with parmesean cheese and panko crumbs.

dredge chicken in flour, then egg mixture then bread crumb mixture. fry in oil until done and crispy. keep hot in oven until serving (use a cookie sheet with a cooling rack in an oven at 300 degrees).

optional and i did not do this but should have :)
combine chopped tomatoes, chopped red onion and fresh corn kernals with thyme. serve on top of chicken.

Herbed Chicken Tenderloins OR Chicken Marsala--call it what you like :) 

A creation I came up with.... :)
NEED:
Chicken breasts (or tenderloins)--boneless skinless
olive oil
dried herbs of your choice
salt and pepper
sliced onions
sliced red peppers
sliced mushrooms
chicken broth
Red Cooking Wine (I used Burgundy; I have also used Red Marsala)
Dash of cornstarch
pat of butter

DO:
**heat a small swirl of olive oil in pan over medium-high heat
**sprinkle herbs over prepared chicken (cut off any "ickies")
**place in hot pan, sprinkle "Up side" with herbs, salt and pepper and cook about 5 minutes (should be browned)
**Flip and cook on other side until chicken is done.
**move chicken to plate and tent with foil to keep warm (might want to put on stove where it is warm but not cooking)
**add tiny bit more olive oil and onions/peppers saute for 5 minutes
**add mushrooms and saute 5 minutes more
**add about 1/2 cup of chicken broth and 1/2 cup wine (or just do all broth)---I did not measure :)
**use the wine and broth to loosen up all of the yummy "burnt" spots in the pan--scrape them up with wooden spoon and mix it all together
**turn heat up and reduce mixuture by at least half
**add your dash of cornstarch and mix (will thicken a little bit)
**should be a sauce but a bit thick. swirl in the pat of butter
**serve over chicken :)
if you do not like the veggies, omit or substitute :)

SHOUTING from the rooftops!

i just have to shout it from the rooftops! my friend chris has her daughter! it has been such a LONG journey for her--five years ago almost to date, she applied to adopt a baby girl from china. five years my friends! five long years! july 3rd, chris got the notice that a daughter was waiting for her! she is in china as a i type :) wooo hoooo for her lovely little girl--20 month old kara faith! my heart is full for chris, my eyes have tears and i feel a bit choked up. i am so happy for them. what a sweet blessing kara is.