Oven Fried Pickles

I was in Annapolis a couple weekends ago and had fried pickles as an appetizer.  I was craving them ever since and decided to try a recipe I found here.  Oh.My.Goodness...these are ridiculously good!!  Unfortunately, they take a bit of time to make with all the dipping, but, soooo worth it!!  I had to improvise on the batter because I didn't have all of the needed ingredients.  My recipe below is what I used.
I also didn't have the ingredients for the dip that is also on that site but I made something with some sour cream, mayo, dash of milk and some spices.  I won't put that dip on here since it was all thrown together but I think the one on the original site would be really good too!

Ready for the oven

All done...and delicious!

Ingredients:
2 whole dill pickles, sliced into 1/4" rounds
1/4 c corn starch
1/4 c all purpose flour
1 egg
1 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 c whole wheat Italian bread crumbs
1/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp onion powder
3 tbsp olive oil, divided

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Get 3 small shallow bowls out.  In the first, put the corn starch and flour.  In the 2nd, put the egg & dijon.  In the 3rd, put the bread crumbs, cumin and onion powder (mix together).
Dip the pickles in corn starch / flour; then the egg / dijon then the bread crumbs.  Place on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with a little Pam.
Once you have all the pickles on the baking sheet, put a dab of olive oil on top of each pickle.
Bake for 8 minutes.  Remove pickles from oven, flip them over, put another dab of olive oil on each top and bake for another 8 minutes.

Enjoy!

Chicken Parmesan

I'm sure most people have a favorite way to make chicken Parmesan (or a trusted recipe).  I was dabbling with some variations on this and came up with one that I really like!  It's nothing fancy but I think the taste is pretty yummy!

Ingredients:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

3/4 - 1 cup Whole Wheat Italian Bread Crumb (I use the brand "4c")

Low Fat Mozzarella Cheese (I eye ball the amount needed to cover the chicken)

1 small jar Prego Sauce

1 Egg White, whisked

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Whisk egg white in a small shallow bowl

Put the bread crumbs in another small shallow bowl

Dip chicken in the egg white, then in the bread crumbs.  Place chicken in a baking dish sprayed with cooking spray

Bake chicken for 15 minutes.  After that time, pour sauce evenly over the chicken and put back in the oven.  Bake for another 10 minutes.  After that time, sprinkle cheese evenly over chicken and put back in the oven for about 5 more minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling.  

Enjoy!

Tarragon-Roasted Halibut with Hazelnut Brown Butter

Just typing the name of the post made me hungry for this dish again!  I receive the Epicurious "Recipe of the Day" email and when this showed up, I knew we had to try it!  We have a great seafood market so that helps!  This is a bit labor intensive...so, try it on a weekend.

Ingredients:

1/2 c blanched hazelnuts

1 large bunch of fresh tarragon

1 3-3-1/2 lb skinless halibut

4 tbsp olive oil, divided

Kosher salt, Ground pepper

1/2 c unsalted butter

1/4 c fresh lemon juice

Lemon halves

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spread hazelnuts over a rimmed baking sheet.  Toast in oven, stirring occasionally, for about 8-10 minutes until golden brown.  Chop coarsely and set aside.

Reduce oven temp to 300 degrees.  Scatter tarragon sprigs on a large rimmed baking sheet.  Place halibut on top, drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil & season with salt & pepper.  Roast until halibut is opaque in the center, about 20-30 minutes.  

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small sauce pan over medium high heat.  Cook, stirring often, until the butter starts to foam, then browns (don't burn it), about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat, let butter cool a little.  Stir in lemon juice, hazelnuts and remaining 2 tbsp olive oil.  

Serve fish with butter sauce drizzled over top.  

Enjoy!

Orange Chicken with Soy and Honey

This is a perfect 30 minute meal & wonderful for during the week!  I found it here and the only adjustments I made to the recipe is to use real garlic and fresh ginger.  B loves this dish and asks for 2nds (and 3rds!).  I mix the chicken with brown rice and steamed broccoli.

Ingredients: 
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
2 oranges, juiced
1/4 c soy sauce
1/4 c honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh ginger, probably 1/4-1/2 tsp
Ground pepper, to taste

Directions:
Combine 2nd - 7th ingredients in a bowl and whisk
In a medium, non-stick skillet, add chicken and pour above mixture over chicken.  Stir to combine.
Cook over medium high heat for about 15 minutes.  Remove chicken and set aside.
Stir sauce until it thickens.  Add chicken back in and heat through.

Serve over rice or noodles.

Enjoy!