Lemon-Thyme Roasted Chicken

I'm not sure why exactly this came from a diabetic-friendly website, but I figured it couldn't be too bad for the average person either. I get daily recipes emailed to me, and this was one. I decided it would be worth a try, and BOY, am I glad I did!

Lemon-Thyme Roasted Chicken

The recipe is found here and I tweaked it a little by not using fingerling potatoes (mainly because I have no idea what they are or where to find them in a grocery store!) and I used chicken tenders instead of breasts. But it turned out well, and tasted wonderful, and stayed sitting in the oven until my "family" got home.

I was SO tempted to give myself a pat on the back after using thyme in my meal tonight, then I remembered that supposedly, normal people use that stuff all the time... so here I am, joining the ranks of "normalcy." It tastes better than I had anticipated, but I'm glad I'm making strides in being a "personal chef!"

Let me know if you try it! Let me know how it goes! And for SURE, let me know if you have any "killer" (ONLY in the figurative sense of the word) recipes for me to try! :)

Bon appetit!

the test kitchen of Jessica: Herbed Flatbread and Salmon Burgers

Guess who tried a new recipe and succeeded!?! THIS GIRL!!! Yesterday, I put on by bravery suit and attempted something new. Well, two something news... somethings new??? new things.

You saw the title, I tried to make flatbread and salmon burgers. Flatbread... we have a winner!!! Salmon burgers, well, my boss RAVED about them even though in my preparation, we didn't make it to the grill... we got a little stuck in the blender, but who cares, right?

Herbed Flatbread (thank you, Martha Stewart)
(Easy) Salmon Burgers (thank you, BHG... but why did you label them easy??? NOT as impressive)

You have helped me achieve new heights in life, like a user of yeast, and a user of egg wash, and a user of salmon. I can conquer new worlds and dream new dreams. :) I might even change my name to Martha Stewart Roberts... but my mom might not appreciate that one... Rachael Ray Roberts? Paula Dean Roberts? Bobby Flay Roberts?

Any name suggestions? I know you have them! ;)

Outfit of the Day: Simple and Classy

I found this idea of sharing part of my wardrobe every now and then, and since I've found several bargains recently, I wanted to share with whoever happens to read this. :)


Here's the rundown:
1. Shirt: New York and Company (one of my new favorite stores, when their clearance deals are SWEET!) Originally: $39.95. I paid: $7.99! Versatile, classy, and I saved a whopping 80%!!! :)
2. Skirt: New York and Company. (told you it was a favorite...) Originally: $39.95. I paid: $7.99! [Warning: your luck may not be as good, because I found this buried in a clearance rack when it wasn't supposed to be! She insisted that I take it for $7.99, so I didn't argue. ;)] Again, 80% off!
3. Shoes: Target (another favorite store; if I'm ever depressed in need of therapy, a Target gift card will do the trick! lol) Originally: $18.00. After lots of patience and hoping that they went on sale, I paid: $12.00! Cute, versatile, comfy, and PEEP TOE! :) winner!!!
4. Belt: New York and Company... I told you... Skinny, violet, and crocodile print (or some exotic animal of the sort...), and adjustable! Originally: $24.95. I paid: $4.99. Wow, 80% off!
5. Necklace: New York and Company (I'm not obsessed, promise!) And don't mind the fact that it's not laying well on the shirt, I was so distracted with the marvel called "self timer" that I forgot about wardrobe malfunctions... good thing this was minor! Originally: $16.95. I paid: $2.99. OVER 80% off!
6. Ring: I don't think I want to say, but I'm sure you could guess... Originally: $16.95. I paid: $2.99.

Actual retail price (dictated in the perfect Bob Barker voice) for this easily convertible outfit: $156.75. Wowzers... I think I owe my life (savings) to whomever created clearance racks! And I paid: $38.95. Still a decent amount in my book for one outfit, but ALL of the pieces can be mixed and matched... which is one of my gifts. I go to the mall, and steal ideas from the mannequins, the West Side soccer moms, and the high-schoolers who happened to cover some skin that morning.

the test kitchen of Jessica: Recipe 2: Mediterranean Shrimp Packets

I decided to be bold. Make something new. Make something I can't pronounce. Use parchment paper for the first time. Use zucchini for the first time. You seasoned mothers (pun intended) are probably wondering why I've never made anything with zucchini. Oh well, I just haven't. :)

One of the perks of this summer is that I'm learning where all sorts of knew things are in the grocery store. Shrimp included. This recipe was one that had been set out for the lady I work for, and I decided it couldn't be that bad. :)

MEDITERRANEAN SHRIMP PACKETS

PREP: 25 min
OVEN: 425 degrees
BAKE: 25 min
MAKES: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

8 ounces fresh or frozen peeled & deveined medium shrimp
1 cup quick-cooking couscous
1 cup boiling water
2 small zucchini and or yellow summer squash, halved lengthwise & thinly sliced
1 small red, yellow, or green sweet pepper, cut into thin bite-size strips
1 9-ounce package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup bottled reduced-calorie Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil or fresh spinach

1. Thaw shrimp, if frozen. Rinse shrimp; pat dry w/paper towels. Set aside. Cut four 16 x 12-inch pieces of parchment. (Or tear off four 24 x 18-inch pieces of heavy foil. Fold each piece in half to make four 18 x 12-inch pieces.)

2. In a small saucepan combine couscous mixture, shrimp, squash, sweet pepper, & artichokes evenly among the 4 pieces of parchment or foil. Sprinkle w/black pepper & salt. Drizzle w/salad dressing.

3. Bring together 2 opposite edges of parchment or foil; seal with a double fold. Fold remaining ends to completely enclose the food, allowing space for steam to build. Place the packets in a single layer on a baking pan.

4. Bake in a 425 degree oven about 25 minutes or until shrimp turn opaque (carefully open a packet to check). Carefully open packets & sprinkle w/ 1 tablespoon of basil or spinach.

Nutritional Facts per serving:

292 calories
3 g fat (0 g. sat. fat)
88 mg chol.
696 mg sodium
46 g carbs.
7 g fiber
20 g protein

Daily Values:

29% vitamin A
67% vitamin C
9% calcium
14% iron

Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 starch, 1 1/2 meat

Lessons learned:
1. After making these, I wished I would've doubled the recipe, but since I just cook for a couple and their five-year-old, I didn't deem it necessary.
2. The parchment paper didn't hold as much as I would have liked. So I opted for foil after my first two packets. And since I left before they were done, I'm not positive that they turned out well initially, but I loved them the next day!

If you happen to try these, fill me in!!! I'm starting to feel like I can conquer the world. So, we'll see what happens! :)