Fried Chicken Thighs w/ Mashed Potatoes and Mixed Chili Beans

Dinner Tonight: Fried Chicken Thighs w/ Mashed Potatoes and Mixed Chili Beans






I tried something new for Breakfast this morning, a Jimmy Dean Simple Scrambles Turkey Sausage. It's an Egg White, Turkey Sausage, and Cheddar Cheese Scramble. Just microwave it in the container

it came in for about 1 minute and 40 seconds and done! Heated up perfect and I enjoyed it. Plenty of Egg White and Turkey Sausage, I did add an extra sprinkle of Sargento Reduced Fat Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese and a shake of Salt and Pepper. Plus it's only 150 calories and 3 carbs per serving!  I'll be buying more of these! Had some snow flurries overnight, nothing major. For the day it was 38 degrees and mostly cloudy. Did a load of laundry and cleaned the kitchen today. Cleaned out the fridge and freezer, cleaned the stove, and straightened up the pantry. For Dinner tonight its Fried Chicken Thighs w/ Mashed Potatoes and Mixed Chili Beans.



I purchased a package of Simple Truth Boneless and Skinless Chicken Thighs from Kroger the other day and having them tonight for Dinner. To prepare them I’ll just need Flour, Morton’s Lite Salt, Ground Pepper, and Extra Light Olive Oil.












To start I grabbed a large skillet, sprayed it with Pam Non Stick Spray, added 1 1/2 tablespoons of
Extra Light Olive Oil, and heated it on medium heat. As the skillet was heating I got a pie pan out and put 2 tablespoons of flour in it. Next I got the Chicken Thighs out of the package and seasoned them with Salt and Pepper. With the skillet heated I added the Thighs to the skillet and put a lid on the skillet. Fried the Thighs for about 8 minutes and then flipped them over, put the lid back on the skillet to cook another 7 minutes.




I got a plate and put paper towel on it and removed the Chicken Thighs from the skillet to the lined plate. Paper towel absorbs any of the excess oil. Just love the crust on the Chicken provided by the Flour Coating! The Flour and cooking it in a Cast Iron Skillet. The Chicken Thighs were moist and flat out delicious!










For one side I prepared some Bob Evan’s Mashed Potatoes. Just microwave for 6 minutes and serve, just as good as homemade, if not better.













For a 2nd side I prepared a can of Bush’s Mixed Chili Beans – Kidney and Pinto Beans in Mild Chili Sauce. These are fairly new and as all the Bush’s Bean Products Delicious! For me you just can’t beat Bush’s Beans. I’ve prepared these a few times now and really love them, nice combo using the Kidney and Pinto Beans. To prepare them just empty the Beans into a small sauce pan. Cover and heat to a simmer. Done! I had also baked a loaf of RiverRoad Bake House Multi Grain Oval Loaf Bread. This has become the family’s favorite Baked Bread. For Dessert/Snack later a bowl of Skinny Pop – Pop Corn and a Diet Peach Snapple to drink.









Chicken Thighs – One medium, baked chicken thigh with skin provides 140 calories, 14 grams of
protein, 0 grams of carbohydrate, 9 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 4 grams of monounsaturated fat, 2 gram of polyunsaturated fat, and 275 milligrams of sodium.

Kitchen Closed - Buffalo Wings and Rings tonight!

For Breakfast this morning I toasted a Healthy Life Whole Grain English Muffin and topped it with

Smucker’s Sugar Free Blackberry Jam. Also had a cup of Bigelow Decaf Green Tea. 40 degrees out this morning with rain showers. We had a high of 50 degrees! The rain and warmer temps are melting the snow and all the salt off everywhere. I went to McDonald's and picked up Breakfast for Mom and Dad. Mom went to Church and I stayed home to keep an eye on Dad. His health and mind continue to fade. Not much we can do. Not much else going on today. Last minute change of menu. Kitchen is closed and it was Wings and Rings tonight! Some old friends I had not seen in at least 10 years called and wanted me to meet them at a local restaurant, Buffalo Wings and Rings. It just opened up a couple of months ago. It was great to see everyone and the Food was fantastic! We had Wings and watched some Football Kitchen will reopen tomorrow! Take care all!

Seasoned Gulf Coast Grouper w/ Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Golden Hominy

Dinner Tonight: Seasoned Gulf Coast Grouper w/ Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Golden Hominy








For Breakfast this morning I prepared an Egg Sunnyside Up, heated up 2 Jimmy Dean Turkey

Breakfast Sausage Links, made some Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns, toasted 2 slices of Healthy Life Whole Grain Bread, and had the morning cup of Bigelow Decaf Green Tea. Now that's a Breakfast, I was starving this morning! Lot of rain today, started overnight. Bad timing for all the rain, today is Opening Day in Cincinnati! The Reds first game of the season is like a Holiday in this area. It all starts off with the Findlay Market Parade. The Parade first started in 1920 and has become a tradition. But the rain is putting a damper on everything. I stayed in today and the house a major cleaning and did a load of laundry for Mom. Dad is starting therapy today so we'll see how that goes. For Dinner tonight its Seasoned Gulf Coast Grouper w/ Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Golden Hominy.


I love Fish and Seafood, especially this Florida Gulf Coast Grouper my friends keep bringing me

back up from Florida. They just dropped off 4 bags of Grouper they caught just 4 days ago! I had a couple of the fillets in a bag in the freezer, laid it in the fridge overnight to thaw. To prepare the fillets I seasoned them with just a bit of Sea Salt and put the fillets in a Hefty Zip Plastic Bag where I then added the Zatarain’s Crispy Southern Fish Fri.  Shook until the fillets were well coated. Shook off the excess. Then got the Cast Iron Skillet out, sprayed it with a light coat of Pam Cooking Spray and added a tablespoon of Light Olive Oil. Heated the skillet on medium heat. When the skillet was ready I added the Grouper Fillets, frying about 3 minutes per side until golden brown. Grouper is so meaty and flavorful. Love Fish and Love this Grouper!


Then for another side I prepared some Roasted Fingerling Potatoes. Started by washing the Potatoes

off in cold water. I then cut the Fingerling Potatoes in half, lengthwise. Put the Potatoes in a large bowl seasoned them with; Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Garlic Powder, Sea Salt, Pepper, Chili Powder, and Kraft Reduced Fat Parmesan Grated Cheese to top the Potatoes with. Using a cookie sheet lined with foil I spread the Potatoes out on the sheet . Then Roasted them at 400 degrees until they were fork tender, about 20 minutes. Still can’t figure out why it’s so hard to find Fingerling Potatoes in this area, only 1 store around here locally that sells them (Thank you Jungle Jim’s).




For a side dish I opened up a can of one of my favorite side dishes, Kroger Brand Golden Hominy,

and its been a while since I’ve any. For those that has never had or heard of Hominy; Hominy is a food made from kernels of corn which are soaked in an alkali solution of either lime or lye. The corrosive nature of the solution removes the hull and germ of the corn and causes the grain itself to puff up to about twice its normal size. There is White and Golden Hominy, my favorite is the Golden Hominy. If you’ve never tried it do, makes a delicious side dish! For Dessert later a Weight Watcher's Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Bar.







Oven-Roasted Fingerling Potato Fries

Ingredients:

Fingerling Potatoes
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Garlic Powder
Sea Salt
Pepper
Chili Powder
Kraft Reduced Fat Parmesan Grated Cheese
Directions:

1.) Thoroughly clean and scrub the potatoes.

2.) Cut the potatoes in half and add to a large mixing bowl.

3.) Add the olive oil. I used about 1 tablespoon, but this will vary by how many potatoes you use. Just use enough oil to give the potatoes a nice coat. Add your seasonings.

4.) Put on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the Parmesan Grated Cheese

5.) Roast in the oven for 25-35 minutes at 450 degrees. The potatoes should be tender in the middle when done.




Zatarain’s Crispy Southern Fish Fri

The secret of authentic Southern style fried fish is the crispy combination of cornmeal, corn flour, spices and lemon juice captured in this special Zatarain’s Frying Mix.

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value

Calories: 60
Calories from Fat: 0
Total Fat: 0g 0%
Saturated Fat: 0g 0%
Cholesterol: 0mg 0%
Sodium: 630mg 26%
Total Carb: 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber: 0 0%
Sugar: 0g
Protein: 1g
Vitamin A: 2%
http://www.zatarains.com/Products/Breadings-and-Fry-Mixes/Crispy-Southern

Ohio Festivals April 21-24, 2016

April 21-24, 2016  87th Annual Geauga County Maple Festival

Chardon, Ohio
The festival celebrates the production of maple syrup, a leading agricultural industry in Northern Ohio. Events include two grand parades, maple syrup judging & auction, queen's contest, photo contest, "Sap Run", bathtub races, craft show, concessions, rides, and continuous grandstand entertainment.

http://www.maplefestival.com/


April 24, 2016  21st Annual Taste of the Nation - Toledo, Ohio
Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation is the nation's premier culinary benefit, featuring top chefs and mixologists -- all of whom are coming together to donate their time, talent and passion to end childhood hunger in America.

http://www.toledotaste.org/

Bluegrass Lean Bratwurst w/ BBQ Baked Beans

Dinner Tonight: Bluegrass Lean Bratwurst w/ BBQ Baked Beans




Started my morning off with some Waffles. I used Bisquick Heart Healthy Mix to make them. I also had a couple of Eckrich Smoked Turkey Sausage Links and my morning cup of Bigelow Decaf Green Tea. Cleaning today, vacuum, dusting, and such. Out in our backyard we have 2 different Rabbit nests, 1 nest is already gone it had about 6 or 7 babies in it. Mostly cloudy out had a high of 78 degrees, a bit cooler. Had the cart out later in the day. For dinner tonight Bluegrass Lean Bratwurst w/ BBQ Baked Beans.



I used Blue Grass Lean Bratwurst which are 100 calories and 4 carbs per Brat. To prepare them; Just add the Brats to a large skillet and add water, until the Brats are half way covered. Bring them to a brisk boil but then immediately turn down the heat to a very low boil, more of a simmer than an active boil. Simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes, then finish off in a pan with just the Brats and a little Extra Virgin Olive Oil to get a nice crispy char and finish. Love this method, if you can’t grill them. Delicious, plump, and they cook up great!Served it on a Kroger Lite Wheat Bun topped with French's Spicy Brown Mustard. Also had a few slices of Jalapeno and a few Ruffle's Wavy Potato Chips.





For a side to go with my Brats I prepared some BBQ Baked Beans. I made a very small amount, I

used a 2 Serving can of Bush's Original Baked Beans Seasoned with Bacon and Brown Sugar. Just the right size if cooking for one. I emptied the can into a small sauce pan. I added 3 tablespoons of Jack Daniels Honey Smoked BBQ Sauce to it, stirred until well mixed. Simmered for about 8 minutes and it's done. The BBQ Sauce gives it a nice Smokey Flavor.  Makes a nice little side, easily made and easy clean-up. Brats and Beans on a Saturday! For dessert later a Jello Sugar Free Dark Chocolate Pudding. Love these Sugarless Pudding Cups, only 60 calories and 10 net carbs per cup.






Bluegrass Deliciously Lean Bratwurst

* 65% Less Fat
* 50% Fewer Calories

* 25% Less Sodium
* No MSG
* Gluten Free

Deliciously Lean Bratwurst
A lighter Bratwurst targeted at today’s active
consumer.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 link (66g)
Servings Per Container 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories 100 Calories from Fat 50
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g 9%
Sat. Fat 2g 10%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 30mg 10%
Sodium 590mg 25%
Total Carbohydrate 4g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Sugars 2g
Protein 9g
Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 2% Iron 2%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a
2,000 calorie diet.

INGREDIENTS:
PORK, WATER*, CORN SYRUP, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH*,
CONTAINS 2% OR LESS POTASSIUM LACTATE, SALT, NONFAT DRY MILK*, PORK FLAVOR, FLAVORINGS, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, SODIUM DIACETATE.


http://www.bluegrassqualitymeats.com/our-products/

Homemade Pizza Recipes

Nothing better than a Homemade Pizza, so make it healthy one! It's all from the Diabetic Living On Line website.

Homemade Pizza Recipes
Pizza doesn't have to be guilt-by-the-slice. Feel good about eating your favorite comfort food with these homemade pizzas and calzones. Whether featuring homemade pizza dough or light, convenient substitutes like pitas, tortillas, or lettuce, all of our healthy pizza recipes are delicious and diabetes-friendly.





Goat Cheese Pizza
Top a hearty premade crust with just six ingredients for an easy dinner bursting with fresh flavor. We swapped traditional mozzarella for crumbled goat cheese to give the low-carb pizza unexpected richness......





Arugula BLT Pizzas
You only need six ingredients to throw together these sandwich-inspired mini pizzas. Simply top English muffins with pasta sauce, crispy bacon, peppery arugula, and part-skim cheese for a flavorful, low-calorie appetizer or snack with just 15 grams of carb per serving....




* Get these and all the rest Homemade Pizza Recipes by clicking the link below.


http://www.diabeticlivingonline.com/diabetic-recipes/main-dishes/homemade-pizza-recipes?sssdmh=dm17.740812&esrc=nwdlo060314