Parmesan Chicken with Zucchini

We LOVED this dinner. It was so juicy and flavorful, and it was on the table in very little time. It was a perfect option for a weeknight dinner.

You will need:

• 1 lb chicken breast (cut to half thickness) or tenders
• 4 T unsalted butter
• 1/2 c Panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 c plus 2 T finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1/4 c all-purpose flour
• 1/2 t pepper
• 1/2 t garlic powder
• 2 medium zucchini, cut in half lengthwise and then into 1/2-inch thick, half-moon slices
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Then you will…

1. Melt the butter and pour onto a plate or shallow dish.
2. In another shallow dish/plate, combine the Panko with 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, the flour, the pepper, and garlic powder.
3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat a few tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
4. Dredge the chicken in the melted butter and then coat the chicken in the Panko-Parmesan mixture.
5. Cook the chicken in the skillet, about 4 minutes per side, until it is crispy and cooked through.
6. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
7. Add the zucchini and minced garlic to the hot skillet (add a touch more olive oil if needed).
8. Saute, scraping up the browned chicken bits, about 4 minutes or until tender. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan and season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Serve the chicken alongside the zucchini.

Crispy Parmesan Baked Potatoes

This is another very simply recipe that requires little prep work. The Parmesan makes a crispy crust on the potatoes, which is so delicious. We should have had leftovers, but we kept grabbing extras as we were cleaning up from dinner!

You will need:

• 1/2 c finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 t garlic powder
• 1/2 t onion powder
• 1/2 t paprika
• 1/2 t dried oregano
• 1/2 t pepper
• 1 1/2 lb baby red-skinned potatoes
• Olive oil

Then you will…

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Pour just enough olive oil in a 9×13 baking dish to coat the bottom.
2. In a small bowl, combine the cheese with the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano and pepper.
3. Sprinkle the cheese mixture along the bottom of the prepared baking dish until evenly coated.
4. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise.
5. Place the potatoes, cut side down, on top of the cheese mixture.
6. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
7. Remove from oven and use a knife to gently cut through the cheese and separate the potatoes.
8. Allow to cool at least 5 minutes before serving.

Nutella Twist Bread

This is a sweet treat that looks it takes a lot of skill. However, it comes together very quickly, and the secret to its pretty braided look is having layers that you twist.

You will need:

• 2 1/4 t (1 packet) quick rise yeast
• 1 c warm water
• 2 1/2 c all-purpose flour
• Pinch of salt
• 1 T sugar
• 1 t ground cinnamon
• 3/4 c Nutella

Then you will…

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the water and allow to bloom for 5-10 minutes.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour with the salt, sugar and cinnamon.
3. Stir in the yeast-water mixture until combined.
4. Lightly dust a clean counter with flour.
5. Turn the dough out and knead for 10 minutes, or until smooth.
6. Lightly oil a large mixing bowl.
7. Place the dough in the prepared bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth.
8. Allow to rise in a warm place for an hour, or until doubled in size.
9. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
10. Lightly dust a clean counter with flour.
11. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle, roughly 12 x 15 inches big.
12. Spread the Nutella on the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges of the dough.
13. Working from the long side, roll the dough tightly.
14. Roll so seam side is down on the counter.
15. Starting about 3/4 inch from one end, gently slice the dough down the middle (top to bottom along the remaining length).
16. Twist the two sides around each other, keeping the cut side facing up.
17. Place the nutella bread on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
18. Allow to rise another 20 minutes in a warm place.
19. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
20. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the bread is turning lightly golden and is baked through (should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom).
21. Allow to cool at least 15 minutes before serving.