Sunday, September 27, 2009

Dinner is Ready!

I need to share something with each and everyone of you....pull up a chair. Remember when I posted about making a meal plan and list before going grocery shopping?? Well guess what it totally works and I am saving my family $$$ and no one is losing any weight:) One of my favorite discoveries are the "Don't Panic, Dinner is in the Freezer" cookbooks. Even with being a full time teacher and driving kids from this place to the next I try to make dinner almost every night. The tough part was I was like a freakin' maniac trying to make something for dinner that I could put together quickly and throw in the oven. Now on Sundays I make my meal plan, look to see what I need and head to the grocery store. When I get home I unpack and start cooking or preparing as many meals for the week that I can get away with! You have no idea how this has decreased my stress level. I take dinner out of the freezer before leaving for work ( and even if I forget it isn't a big deal, I just defrost it in the microwave). When I get home I am good to go! Usually all I need to do is is make a side item and some veggies. I am going to share an easy recipe with you I tweaked it a little to fit our families tastes, but it is easy and delicious! (the original recipe calls for marjoram,thyme, and sun dried tomatoes. It also recommends a cream sauce, but we didn't care for it much)

Enjoy!

Italian Stuffed Chicken Breasts. (serve with a side of pasta,garlic bread and a salad)

6 boneless chicken breasts
salt and pepper
dry Italian seasoning
6 mozzarella/string cheese sticks
6 thin slices of prosciutto ham

Cooking day:

Flatten chicken breast to 1/8 of an inch. Season with salt and pepper, and Italian seasoning. Wrap each mozzarella stick with 1 slice of prosciutto. Place wrapped mozzarella stick in the center of each chicken breast. Roll chicken breast around filling. Wrap each chicken breast individually in plastic wrap. Freeze in a freezer bag. ( nope no cooking)

Serving day:

Thaw completely. Unwrap chicken breast and place close together in a baking dish. Baste with 4 tablespoons of butter and sprinkle with a little bit of italian seasoning. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes basting every 15-20 minutes. Do not over bake or chicken will be tough. Bake until juices run clear.

While chicken is finishing up cook pasta and heat sauce.

Serve chicken with sauce on top and a side of pasta.

5 comments:

Wanda said...

You are so right. I am so relieved when I organize and cook a mess of things in advance and the freezer is well stocked. It's a little (lot)of effort at first but so worth it. Thanks for reminding me again.

Great recipe. Thanks.

atlastmilanascominhome.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Yum-O

Need that book.

I've been looking for ways to save. Thanks so much for the ideas!!

Colleen said...

Sweet!! That sounds yummy and this is something I need to get better at!

Lisa and Tate said...

Awesome! I will be buying this book and get planning, cooking and freezing. I am sure home cooking will cut back on the calories of fast food grazing.

Robin said...

OMG.. that sounds amazing. I think we will have to try it this week and I definitely need to get that book!