Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Toasty Times and Trivial Tidbits

Firstly, Merry Christmas to all of you from our newest family member Rinny.


I once worked with a lady who had three daughters, who explained to me you have to keep a baby book for all of your kids so when they turn into little monsters you can look back at the book and remember not to beat them senseless.  I think the same holds true for having cute pictures of your pets...especially Mr. Rundowntheroad dragaroundgarbage chewupremote here.  Anyway....I digress.


Remember I told you I would be reviewing a CSN product that would deliver toasty goodness?  Well here it is...



This is the Hamilton Beach 6 Slice Convection Toaster Oven.  My old toaster oven looked like it had been drop-kicked into submission many times over so it seemed like the perfect  time to replace it.  I chose this one because I was interested in the "convection" aspect of the whole thing.  I'm still not sure what that really means, but am anxious to try it out.  This oven has a good sized interior so I'm pretty sure I could bake a chicken in there.  Will probably give it a try soon and see how it works out.
I can definitely say it delivers a nice piece of cheesy toast!


Now, let's talk about Kale Chips, shall we?



I've seen these all over the interwebs and people raving about them like they are the healthy-choice answer to all your crunchy salty cravings. 
Yeah.
To me, it was like being outside in the fall when all the leaves are coming down, picking one up that had been laying there long enough to get crunchy and shoving it in my mouth.  Plus they're kinda bitter.  Let's just say these aren't my cup of tea, but if you think they are yours, this is where I got the recipe.
I've said my peace. 

Also tried another Hungry Girl recipe, Fiber Fried Chicken.  It's saving grace was that I was using it to get the taste of Kale Chips out of my mouth.


Just kidding, it's really not that bad.  You just have to get it out of your head that it's going to be anything like fried chicken, and it's quite doable.
Even the kids ate some, if that tells you anything.  
I imagine these are quite versatile, could add all sorts of flavorings, Hungry Girl even suggests rolling the chicken in some buffalo sauce before rolling it in the cereal for a bit of a hot wing taste.   

Here's HG's recipe if you're interested.  This is just for one serving, so I quadrupled it to feed the family.

Ingredients:
6 oz. Tyson (or another brand**) Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (raw); cut lengthwise into 5 strips (I cut mine into only 4 strips)
1/2 cup Fiber One cereal
1/4 cup Egg Beaters, Original
1/4 tsp. Lawry's Garlic Salt
pepper (to taste)



Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using a blender or food processor, grind Fiber One cereal to a breadcrumb-like consistency. Add Garlic Salt and pepper to crumbs. Place crumbs in one small dish and Egg Beaters in another. Next, coat raw chicken strips with egg substitute and then with crumb mixture. Place strips on a baking pan sprayed with nonstick spray. Spray a light mist of nonstick spray on top of strips and place in oven. Cook for 10 minutes, and then turn strips over. Add another light mist of nonstick spray and cook for an additional 8 - 10 minutes (until chicken is fully cooked and Fiber One looks crispy). Enjoy! Serves 1   (nutrition info can be found at Hungry Girl's site)

22 comments:

The JR said...

Well at least Rinny is cute, even if he has been bad.

Joanne said...

haha I like your idea of keeping a baby book (or a puppy book). Very cute.

That chicken looks delicious! Even if it's not exactly the oven-fried chicken of your dreams.

Kim said...

Julie - you are so funny! Love the nicknames for the new pup. I might try some to nickname my children in the same way. How about Miss dontcombmyhair wontbrushmyteeth refusetozipmycoatin6degreeweather? Needs some improvement, right?

Good try on the kale chips. I actually love kale but wasn't crazy about the kale chips themselves. Saying that, yours look like they turned out great. Mine ended up a few shades darker than yours (*ahem*).

I've heard great things about using the fiber one cereal for breading. I imagine that it is pretty good (and filling). I especially like the idea of rolling the chicken in the hot sauce.

Take care!

♥peachkins♥ said...

the chicken looks delicious!




The Peach Kitchen
peach and things
blowing peachkisses

teresa said...

i really like the look of that chicken, but i might be on your team with the kale chips! cute puppy!

The Blonde Duck said...

I'll take the chicken strips.

Deborah said...

I know all of the joys and the frustrations of a pet!! And I've never had kale chips, but I don't imagine myself trying them any time soon now!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I think your doggie and my doggie would have great sotries to compare with each other. Mine almost pulled down our tree unraveling the ribbon on it!

Btw, I love my toaster oven! I use it more than the microwave and convection rocks!
~ingrid

Monet said...

I adore my toaster oven, and we use it everyday. I would love to upgrade to a new one, though! Yours looks great. It is so big! And I must admit that I probably won't try the fried chicken. I don't crave fried chicken often, but when I do...I'll probably just go for the real thing! Thanks for sharing with me, my friend!

Brownieville Girl said...

Some very healthy cooking going on there!

Rinny is beyond cute!!

Monica H said...

kale chips, huh? Your review of them is exactly like I thought they'd be. Now I know :-)

Lori said...

Hungry Girl recipes are pretty good. The only thing that frustrates me is that every time I go to buy Fiber 1 when it is on sale- its all gone. I need to find a generic brand.

Emily Z said...

I am instantly in love with your new family member. What a sweet photo! Congrats on the addition! I am intrigued by the kale chips. I have seen kale recipes here and there but still have yet to try it. I really need to, it always sounds so good!

Reeni said...

Your new doggy is adorable! And I love your new toaster oven! It looks kind of fancy. I tried the kale chips too and didn't like them at all - don't see what all the hype is about.

Debbi Does Dinner Healthy said...

I've seen people rave about kale chips too but I've never tried them. I IMAGINE them like you describe which is why I haven't been in a hurry to try them. I LOVE chips though.

The chicken looks great! Thanks!

Chris said...

Mmmmmm gotta go make me some kale chips, ha ha.

Your dog looks like an angel there. Man looks can be deceiving, eh? ;)

UrMomCooks said...

Your new baby is adorable!!! (so funny - one of my dogs is always trying to sleep on our tree skirt - is that what Rinny is doing???) Luv your discussion of kale chips...my sentiments exactly!

Kerstin said...

Awww, Rinny is adorable, congrats on your new family addition :)

Katrina said...

I love kale chips.

Happy Holidays!

Val said...

I love the pic under the tree!!

Diana's Cocina said...

Gotta love the nicknames for the pup, so darn cute. Love kale just not sure about kale chips.

The Blonde Duck said...

Merry Christmas!