do chickens have fingers?

I realized that from what recipes I usually post it may look like we eat nothing but cookies.

In my dream world that would be true, but, alas, it is not real life.

This is a recipe that comes from Cook This, Not That, Kitchen Survival Guide.

I’m a big fan of this book series. I feel like I’m reading a horror novel when I read about restaurant entrees that have about 1500 calories.

This is a recipe for chicken fingers which uses panko (japanese bread crumbs) which I am also becoming a huge fan of because of its wonderful crispiness without being fried.

Healthified Chicken Fingers

1 lb, boneless, skinless chicken tenders (I just slice up chicken breasts)

Salt and Pepper to taste

3 egg whites lightly beaten

2 cups panko

Preheat oven to 450. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place the egg whites in a shallow bowl. Place the crumbs on a plate and season those, too. (I used some season-all here.) Dip the chicken tenders into the egg, then toss in the crumbs being sure to coat fully.

Place the breaded chicken pieces on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the crumbs have browned and the chicken in firm.

simple spinach dip

This recipe gave me further proof to my theory that my children would eat rocks if you put them in Ranch dressing.

Have you ever heard of the tip where you set out veggies before dinner so they will have something to munch on while you are cooking? I tried it and it worked. Not only did they eat celery and carrots but there was spinach sneaked in there too. It's yummy stuff.

Simple Spinach Dip

(adapted from The Essential Mormon Cookbook)

1 10 oz package frozen spinach, thawed

16 oz light sour cream

1 cup light mayonnaise

1 package of ranch dip mix seasonings

Wring the spinach a bit with your hands so it's not too moist.

Combine all the ingredients.

Chill.

Serve with crackers and/or veggies

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

Here's a great recipe for any New Year's Eve celebrations.

I can eat this stuff by the bucket. I use it to top lots of different things, but of course it is good with chips or by itself if you are a real purist.

I made some recently to take to a party, but I threw together a cheeseball at the last second so I could keep this home.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa


1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
1 bunch cilantro, cut fine
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1/3 bottle of Fat Free Italian Dressing (about 2/3 cup)


Mix all ingredients in bowl and serve with chips. (This is also better when you make it ahead and let all the flavors "marry")

buffalo wings

For this recipe you can use either wings or tenders

Soak chicken in the Buttermilk for 1hr
roll in flour, pepper and salt. Put in hot oil cook until brown.
Mix Franks Red Hot Sauce you could also use mild and brown sugar on stove until mixture is thick enough to hold on spoon (about 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar).
After chicken wings are fried in oil roll into the Hot sauce mixture, enjoy.

Sauce idea mix 1/2 and 1/2 sourcream and ranch dressing

( for the kids we just fried the chicken and didn't put it in the sauce)