Chicken with Mushrooms

This isn't a good one for a large family, but it's a really good recipe for a couple of people. I love it!

Ingredients:
3 C sliced mushrooms
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs (I just used crackers)
2 T butter
6 oz mozzerella cheese, sliced
3/4 C chicken broth

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)

2. Place half of the mushrooms in a 9x13 inch pan. Dip chicken into beaten eggs, then roll in bread crumbs.

3. In skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Brown both sides of chicken in skillet. Place chicken on top of mushrooms, arrange remaining mushrooms on chicken, and top with mozzarella cheese. Add chicken broth to pan.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.

Creamy Caprese Pasta

Creamy Caprese Pasta

serves 4-6

1 pound whole wheat pasta (noodles such as penne work best)
1 cup of your favorite pasta/tomato sauce
1/3 cup heavy cream or half and half
1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese + more for garnish
4 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into cubes
1 pint of grape tomatoes (I cut some in half and left some whole)
1 bunch of fresh basil leaves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Boil water and cook pasta according to directions.

While pasta is cooking, heat tomato sauce over low heat in a large saucepan. Once warm, stir in heavy cream and grated parmesan. Once pasta is done cooking, drain and dump into the sauce, mixing to coat and turning off heat. Fold in mozzarella cubes and tomatoes, then chop 3-4 fresh basil leaves and add them in too. Once combined, spray a baking dish with non-stick spray and pour the entire pasta mixture into the dish. Top with fresh mozzarella rounds. Bake for 25 minutes, or until cheese is golden and bubbly.

Top with additional fresh basil and grated cheese. Serve with garlic bread. You can also add in chicken, steak or seafood for some protein.

(Shelley's) Magic Cookie Bars

Magic Cookie Bars call for a graham cracker crust, and I never have graham crackers on hand when I want to make it. So. I combined this recipe with the crust of Carmelitas and VOILÀ! Shelley's Magic Cookie Bars were born. They taste delish (if I do say so myself). If you're not a fan of coconut, they actually still taste really good--you can barely taste it, and it adds a nice flavor (just try it, and you'll see what I mean).

Ingredients

Crust:
1 1/2 sticks butter (room temp)
3/4 c Brown Sugar
1 c Oatmeal
1 c Flour
1/8 t. Salt
1/2 t. Baking Soda

Mix all ingredients together (I use a pastry blender, but you can use a beater, too) until well mixed. Press into bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 10 minutes at 350.

Cookie Goodness:
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/3 c Sweetened coconut
1 c Chocolate chips
1 c Butterscotch chips

Pour sweetened condensed milk onto baked crust, then layer the coconut, chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips how you want. Press into condensed milk. Put back in the oven and bake for another 20 minutes at 350. You can either refrigerate, or let it sit out, but try and resist eating it until it sets (though it still tastes good as an ooey-gooey-mess).