Living Insanity's Loving Food

  Ingredients: 1 lb ground chicken Seasonings like:  onion powder, garlic powder, Italian, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper Panko breadcrumbs Favorite pasta sauce Favorite cheeses like:  sliced provolone, shredded mozzarella, shredded parmesan 2 eggs, beaten with 1 tablespoon water avocado oil spray flour Special tools:  Parchment paper Heat oven to 450 Lay parchment paper on a sheet pan and sprinkle flour on it Mix ground chicken and seasonings Smoosh chicken into a large thin oval on the parchment paper Sprinkle chicken with flour Brush egg over the flour Sprinkle panko all over coating well and then use your hands to press the panko into the chicken. Spray panko with avocado oil to moisten Flip the chicken over.  I used a second piece of parchment on a sheet pan to do this Repeat flour, egg, panko, and avocado oil steps. Bake in the oven until brown and crispy. Add sauce and cheese and place back in the oven until melted. Cut the chicken parm into pieces. Ser...

 Adam requested homemade chicken parmesan.  It does taste the best. Ingredients: thin chicken flour seasoned with salt and pepper egg station with a little water seasoned italian breadcrumbs favorite pasta sauce cheese layer was shredded mozzarella and provolone Dip the chicken in the flour station, then egg wash station, and lastly in the breadcrumbs Fry in peanut oil Lay on a sprayed baking sheet Top with sauce and cheese Put under the broiler until the cheese is melted Serve with garlic bread, a salad, spaghetti noodles.

  Ingredients: 1 package of boursin cheese spread halves cherry tomatoes sliced mushrooms baby spinach trader joes frozen roasted corn cut up andouille sausage refrigerated gnocchi olive oil oregano garlic powder onion powder salt pepper Heat oven to 425 Cover a sheet pan in foil Place veggies and sausage around the pan Drizzle with olive oil Put boursin cheese spread in the center of the pan Sprinkle everything with seasonings Cook for about 25 minutes Add cooked gnocchi and stir everything together.   *Original recipe had the gnocchi uncooked and on the sheet pan with the veggies, but it did not cook through.  I prefer cooking it on it's own and adding it at the end.  

 Package of ground italian sausage, browned 1/2 onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced chopped parsley, I used dried 3 cups chicken broth 2 1/2 cups water 2-3 dried bay leaves 2 cups marinara sauce, I use a mushroom spaghetti sauce black pepper broken lasagna noodles Topping: mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup ricotta parmesan cheese parsley fresh basil chiffonade Mix ricotta with parsley and parmesan Heat oil in pan and brown sausage.  Add chopped onion and cook about 3 minutes.  Then add minced garlic.   Add broth, water, parsley, pasta sauce, bow leaves, black pepper, and bring to a boil. Add in broken pasta and boil until cooked through. Divide up soup and top with ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and fresh basil. We serve with garlic bread.

 Walmart sells a tube of ground turkey that is Italian seasoned.  It made for a really great spaghetti sauce.  We used all the usual spaghetti seasonings, but since ground turkey is usually not very flavorful I think this is a good product.  I actually bought another tube of Italian and I bought a Mexican seasoned one as well.  I think the Mexican could be good for tacos or a big batch of chili!

 I made the last of my Aldi veal cutlets.  So sad :(  we have to wait for another German or Italian week to find them again.  I had tons of fresh basil in the yard.  It struggled when the temps went over 100.  I'm hoping it rebounds and we can keep it going all summer.   You just have to pan fry these patties in some oil a few minutes each side.  We made our usual spaghetti sauce and noodles.  I bought the nice big ball of mozzarella cheese and cut it into slices.  When the veal is cooked through place it on a sprayed baking sheet, top with sauce, and cheese, and pop under the broiler until the cheese is nicely melted.  Then serve over the noodles and sauce.  Sprinkle of parmesan or basil and you are done!  It's really fast.  I highly recommend buying these veal patties.

I made spaghetti and used the last of the buccatini I found at Aldi.  I think the pasta is over rated.  Spaghetti noodles are just fine.  

 Ingredients: Butter Pillsbury pizza crust Mozzarella cheese, shredded Pizza sauce Pepperoni, cut into 4ths Italian herbs Preheat oven to 375 Butter a muffin tin really well Cut pizza crust into squares to fit into a muffin tin cup and up the sides Add mozzarella cheese Layer pizza sauce, pepperoni, cheese, herbs, top with a whole pepperoni, sprinkle more herbs. Bake for 15 minutes. I used Italian seasoning in the puff and topped with just dried oregano. Serve with warm pizza sauce on the side if you wish.

  The herb garden has been growing like crazy with the cooler and rainy weather we have been having.  I planned a meal around some of the fresh herbs.  I made 2 pounds of bbq beef, a dill potato salad using baby red potato, and a caprese salad with fresh basil.  BBQ Beef (this is a double batch) 2 pounds ground beef 1 large onion, diced 1.5 cups ketchup 2 tablespoons mustard 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons worchestershire sauce In a large pot, brown the beef and onions in some olive oil.  Salt and pepper the beef. Drain and return beef to pot. Add all the sauce ingredients and heat through. Serve on slider or Hawaiian rolls or hamburger buns. I like to keep the BBQ beef in the crockpot.  I brown the beef and then put it in the crockpot with the sauce ingredients.  I cook it on low for an hour or two and then just switch to keep warm.   Potato Salad baby red potatoes, boiled t...

  Ingredients: Italian sausage, casings removed 1/2 onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 4 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley 3 cups chicken broth 2 1/2 cups water 2-3 dried bay leaves 2 cups marinara sauce (I used our regular jarred spaghetti sauce) black pepper broken lasagna noodles (break them into small pieces or they just don't stay on the spoon) Toppings: shredded mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup ricotta cheese grated parmesan cheese fresh chopped parsley fresh basil chiffonade Mix the ricotta cheese with some fresh parsley and grated parmesan.  The mozzarella and basil will be individual toppings.   Directions: Heat oil in a large soup pot.  Add the sausage until browned breaking it up with your spoon. Add chopped onion and cook about 3 minutes.  Add garlic and stir until fragrant.   Add broth, water, parsley, pasta sauce, bay leaves, black pepper, and bring to a boil. Add in broken pasta and boil per box instructions. Divide soup among bowls and ...

  Ingredients: 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs 1 cup grated parmesan 3/4 cup flour 2 large eggs 6 thin chicken breasts Salt Pepper Cheese Favorite jar of pasta sauce Peanut oil for frying Add flour with salt and pepper to a plate. In a shallow bowl combine breadcrumbs and parmesan. In another bowl beat the 2 eggs with a tablespoon of water. Pat chicken dry, dip into seasoned flour, shake off excess. Dip floured chicken into the egg and then breadcrumb mixture. Heat oil in a large pot or pan until thermometer reads 350 degrees F. Fry one piece of chicken at a time. Transfer to an aluminum foil lined baking sheet. Spoon pasta sauce over the chicken and top with cheese. I used a slice of thin provolone and then sprinkled some mozzarella cheese on top of that. Place under the broiler for about 2 minutes. Cheese should be just browning. Serve over spaghetti with extra pasta sauce and with a salad!

 Another easy week night dinner.  Pepperoni rolls.  You must serve pizza sauce on the side! Recipe previously blogged.

 The boyfriend made his spaghetti for dinner at the beach.  I always welcome someone cooking for me!

 

Boyfriend made me dinner.  It was very similar to spaghetti, but a baked casserole.  

I had leftover fajita veggies from the steak and chimichurri dinner.  Peppers, onion, and mushrooms went into store bought mushroom sauce with some garlic, italian seasoning and sugar.  Amylu meatballs from Costco for the win!  

I needed quick and easy for dinner.  This was a can of pizza dough crust, ground sausage, bell pepper, shredded cheese, cream cheese, and spices.  Side salad to fill me up!    

Costco sells these Amylu Italian meatballs.  They rock and come in a two pack.  I keep them in the freezer.  Baked a few off to have with some red lentil pasta, spinach, and pasta sauce.  

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place a bag of pre washed spinach on a foil lined sheet pan. The first time I made this I used the tomatoes whole and the second time I cut them in half.  I think it's easier to eat them when they are cut in half. Cut the tomatoes and sprinkle on top of the spinach. Cut up some flavored chicken sausage and sprinkle on top of the spinach. You can add cut up mushrooms here.   Drizzle everything well with olive oil, add a bit of pepper and Italian seasoning. Add a few dollops of pre made pesto. Use tongs and mix everything up well. Put the block of feta in the center of the pan. Sprinkle the feta with a bit of Italian seasonings too. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. While the sheet pan is in the oven prepare the gnocchi as the package directs.  The first time I made gnocchi that had wheat flour and I boiled them for a few minutes and they were fine.  The second time I had gluten free and they made mashed potatoes when in the boiling w...