Be Prepared for When the "I Have Nothing in My Kitchen For Dinner" Syndrome Strikes

I literally just got home from a trip and am faced with the "I have nothing in the house for dinner" conundrum. Determined not to go out to eat or order in food, I quickly have searched my kitchen and have found the following items:

Frozen Corn
Chicken Breasts
Jarred Marinara
Parmesan Cheese
Carrots
Hummus

I've got some hungry mouths to feed, so what do I do? Whip up a quick Faux Chicken Parmesan dish fit for a king!

Here's how you do it:

FAUX CHICKEN PARMESEAN

• Thaw chicken breasts (if frozen).

• Turn on oven to 375 (I like to use the toaster oven)

• Season chicken breasts with a bit of salt and pepper (do not over salt-there is PLENTY in the jarred marinara and cheese
  

• Place the chicken breast in an oven safe dish and pour about 1/4-1/2 cup of marinara and a sprinkling of the Parmesan cheese over the chicken. Feel free to add oregano, basil, red pepper flakes or whatever spice you like to liven up the jarred marinara. Fresh spinach leaves also make it tasty! Cook for about 20-25 minutes and check internal temperature.
  

• Once nearly cooked, remove the chicken and top with 2 teaspoons per chicken breast of the Parmesan.
  

• Move to BROIL mode on your toaster or oven and put chicken on highest rack to broil. Watch closely until the cheese darkens and gets bubbly.
  

• Remember chicken is thoroughly cooked at 165 degrees, but remove it at 160 and allow it to rest. It will increase the temperature enough to reach the 165. Do not cut into it-this allows the juices to spill out and causes the chicken to by dry.
  

By omitting the breading, baking or frying of a traditional Chicken Parmesan, we've saved hundreds of calories as well as fat, saturated fat and cholesterol.

While the chicken is baking, make frozen corn according to directions.

Once chicken is done and corn is cooked, place on dinner plate. Add carrots and a tablespoon or two of hummus.

Since I like grocery shopping and usually have enough foods on hand, this is a rare occurrence. However, the last 2 weeks have been crazy and this is what I get for not pre-planning. I have to say, it was a pretty good dinner-well balanced, colorful, filling and healthy as well as inexpensive. And, it was done in 30 minutes!!

What are your go to meals when the syndrome hits?

Another Reason to Go Green on St. Patty's DAY

Going Green is easy to do today-but what about the other 364 days of the year?

If you are looking for ways to be eco healthy AND eco friendly, pick up Kate Geagan's Go Green Get Lean; Trim Your Waistline with the Ultimate Low Carbon Footprint Diet.

Here is the thing about Kate. I know her personally and she is as dedicated about helping you get lean the green way as she is about about keeping the earth healthy for the future of her kids-and yours. Her rhetoric is fresh, interesting and applicable to anyone wanting to lose a few pounds while taking their life long turn at going green.


I love her recipes-each of which she created herself. Check out her One-Minute Artichoke and White Bean Hummus recipe:





One Minute Artichoke and White Bean Hummus
1 14.5 ounce can artichoke hearts packed in water, drained
1 15 oz. can white beans (or cannellini or navy beans), rinsed and drained
1 clove garlic
¼ tsp salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
squeeze of fresh lemon wedge (about ¼ lemon)

1. Place all ingredients into a food processor.
2. Puree until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve with veggie stix or whole
grain crackers.

Her website (where I lifted the above recipe-its okay-she said I could) is full of tips and ideas for the novice green eater to the advanced. Check it out at www.gogreengetlean.com. Sign up for her newsletter, too and tell her I sent you!

Find the book at www.amazon.com