Crispy Oven Fried Chicken Recipe

Ok y'all (in my Paula Deen voice), whoever doesn't love southern fried chicken doesn't know what they are missing!  If you are looking for a healthy and grease popping free alternative to traditional fried chicken then try this recipe.  I love this oven baked version because it leaves out the greasiness without sacrificing the flavor.  And you don't have to worry about closing all the bedroom and closet doors in the house to keep the fried smell out (anybody know what I'm talking about).  I remember going to Wednesday night bible class and all my friends knew what we had for dinner; "y'all had fried chicken?"  I'm not saying it smells bad, but it penetrates!  Additionally, if the grease is too hot, you end up smelling like burnt oil instead of fried bird.

I found this recipe from DivasCanCook.com.  I followed this recipe to the T and it turned out perfectly crispy and juicy just like she says.  Her chicken got done in only 40 minutes.  But as massive as chicken legs are nowadays, I had to bake mine longer; 375 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes.  (Please don't get me started.  The environmentalist inside me is just itching to write another paragraph on sustainable farming methods.  But, I digress.  Just know what you are eating, don't get hung up on the labels, and buy organic when you can.)

I'm amazed at how the chicken gets so moist on the inside with out compromising the crunchiness on the outside... while baking in an oven... brilliant!  I recommend doubling the spice recipe if you are cooking a family pack like I did.  And I highly recommend using a grill pan rack.  That's the only way to cook it with out getting soggy.  I served mine with collard greens, stuffing, beans and rice, and cranberry sauce.  (Thanksgiving preview right? lol)

prep work

critical step: don't forget to sprinkle on that butter and evoo

Continue reading for the recipe:

Meatball Lasagna Recipe

I know you are reading the title and thinking, meatball lasagna?  I've never heard of that before... Well, me neither, but trust me it's delish.  Lasagna can be a tedious meal to make especially if you are into the layers like me.  And, boiling 10 inch lasagna noodles in a 6 inch deep pot is nothing short of a joke, right?  So, kudos to whoever invented the oven ready version.  You get to take a shortcut on time and your family will still think you went to culinary school.  Brilliant.  If you are ready for a fast and easy way to make a lasagna tonight, then continue reading my friend. 

Easy Pot Roast Recipe

Hello Foodies!  It's such a shame that's it been over a year since my last blog entry, my how time flies! Nonetheless, I have a new post roast recipe that will knock your socks off.  And the best thing is, it's foul proof, which makes it perfect for all you no fuss cooks.  This one will be sure to impress, and just in time for the Holidays!

Ingredients:
 2-3 lb chuck roast

Crock Pot: Turkey Neck Bones

We use to call these naked bones when I was small because by the time you finished sucking the meat off, there was nothing left! You wouldn't believe how easy it is to cook these in the crock pot. And it doesn't even take long.  You can also try beef neck bones, which may have a little more meat on them.  Check out this simple recipe I came up with:

Chicken or Shrimp Broccoli Alfredo

This is one of my favorite weekday meals. I just love an all in one pasta dish. This has your meat, starch, and vegetables. Perfect! It's remarkably simple and super easy. You can even switch up the noodle type if you'd like. Penne pasta is nice because all the sauce goodness gets inside the noodle, yumm. I make enough to last a few days so I won't have to cook every single night. I'm still learning to cook for one, so this recipe will definitely yield leftovers unless you eat like a bear =).

You Will Need:

Make Dough & $ave Dough

all done and so delicious!

I recently tried my hand at a homemade pizza with a wheat crust. I've been trying my hand at a lot lately... lol. Needless to say, it was the BOMB dot com! It turned out fabulously and I was amazed at how simple it was to make. It will take a lot for me to buy another pizza from the local pizza chain. It was just that good! This is a must try for anyone who loves being in the kitchen. You just got to have "make a pizza from scratch" checked off your list. Check out these process photos

Fun, Fast, & Frugal: 4 Ingredient Pasta

Looking for a fast and frugal entrée for tonight? Try this super easy pasta that takes the same amount of time it takes to read this blog! This started out as a "I'm so hungry and I don't have money to get groceries" meal. But it ended up being one of my favorite weekday staples. It's made from items you should normally have in your pantry:

crock POT roast

I'm slow cooking a pot roast in my new crock pot today! I'm looking forward to a succulent roast and veggies when I return home after work today. I will update with the results soon! So excited :)
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Hibachi Chicken & Shrimp

Many of my blog posts, you will find, will be retroactive attempts to document previous entrees I've cooked before I started blogging. I wish I had the gumption to cook every night, but that's just not realistic. I mostly cook big meals and munch on leftovers for as long as I can. I'm a firm believer in leftovers, plus it keeps me from having to spend money on lunch and dinner everyday... which gets expensive, trust me!

So this Hibachi Chicken & Shrimp recipe is yet another modified version of what I found online. The original recipe can be found

Sloppy Lasagna

While sitting at home one afternoon watching the Food Network (one of my favorite TV shows btw) I saw Rachel Ray cooking up what looked to be such an easy recipe for lasagna. I decided then and there that I wanted lasagna for dinner that night! The picture to the right is the final product, and the picture below is a good cheap vino blanc that I bought at Wal-Mart that complements the dish quite nicely. I had to call my mom to tell her how great this turned out. It felt like a sin to eat it because it was soooo good!!

There's actually a funny story that goes along with this Sauvignon Blanc... So, when a recipe calls for wine, I usually leave it out. One. Because I don't drink wine. & Two. It can be expensive. This time I decided to be fancy and include the wine. I got home, started cooking up the sauce, and when it was time to add the wine, I picked up the bottle and started to screw off the top. SIKE, this bottle had a cork and I didn't think to get a bottle opener. Ugh... I tried a knife, a screw.. nothing  worked! I took my pot off the stove, grabbed my keys, jetted off