Three Cheese Manicotti

I recently asked the BF if there was anything he'd like to see me make. His reply was, "Those noodles that are stuffed with cheese." So here you have it, Three Cheese Manicotti.

Difficulty Level: Medium

You will need:

1 Package Manicotti noodles
Part-Skim Ricotta Cheese
Shredded Cheese (I like to use Fiesta Blend)
Parmesan Cheese
Basil
Oregano
Salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Ok, step one: cook the noodles. Be gentle with these so they don't tear. Just follow the directions on the box and drain them. Set aside to cool.

Next, add the ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup parmesan and 1 cup shredded cheese. If you look at any other recipes, they will usually tell you to put more than this. However, I try to keep the dish as low in calories as possible, so use your best judgment on this one.

In another bowl, add the jar of tomato sauce and generous sprinkling of basil, oregano and salt. You will then pour about half of it into a semi-deep baking dish.

When the noodles are cool enough to touch without hurting yourself, begin to gently stuff them with your cheese mixture. Once stuffed, place the noodles in the baking dish, on top of the sauce you have already poured. Add the remaining sauce. You can then sprinkle the top of the pasta with Parmesan or just a pinch more basil and oregano.

Cover the dish with foil (for best results) and place in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Cooking times vary, so always keep an eye on your dish!

When ready, serve with a side of steamed asparagus or your choice of a green.

Enjoy!

Oven "Fried" Chicken

Although I love fried chicken, I will be the first to admit that it is not the healthiest of foods. I decided that I would try a healthier alternative that would hopefully make the chicken just as crispy as it would be fried. I came up with Oven "Fried" Chicken.

Difficulty Level: Medium

You will need:

Raw chicken (any part is fine)
Saltine Crackers
One Egg
Paprika
Salt
Baking Sheet
Food Thermometer

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

This is super easy. All you do is crumble up the crackers. I suppose you could use a food processor, but it isn't really necessary. My hands worked just fine. Once the crackers are made into tiny crumbs, sprinkle some paprika and salt and mix it all together.

Next, crack the egg into a bowl. You are going to dip the chicken into the egg and then roll it around in the crackers mixture and place it onto a baking sheet. When you are done, stick it in the oven and bake at 400 degrees.

*Remember, when working with chicken, be careful! You don't want raw chicken touching anything you are not going to clean thoroughly afterward.*

As far as cooking time, it does vary based on the size/weight of the chicken are you using. Remember poultry should always be cooked to 165 degrees to ensure you don't get food poisoning. Just use a food thermometer and you will be fine.

Once the chicken is done, finish off the meal with home cooked mashed potatoes and a nice green salad. Enjoy!