No Reservations...?

Deciding not to go out on a fancy dinner date on Valentine's Day and deciding that I would cook was a much better idea, not to mention relaxing! Cooking is one of my absolute favorite things to do. Even though I am still learning, I enjoy making a meal at least a couple of times a week. People seem to always have some sort of excuse to not cooking. My roommate explains to me that she may not know how to cook but she sure does know how to cook meals in the microwave! It usually is either not having enough time or saying that they just can't cook but it really is simple! (All you really have to do is follow the directions!) Yeah the clean up part is the worst but at least you know you ate a healthy, REAL meal and not just something you picked up in the fast food drive-thru. Not to mention, you can find really healthy yet tasty recipes for you to follow. Here are some of my favorite recipes:

Chicken Parmesan 

Ingredients

29 oz canned diced tomatoes, with Italian herbs (2 cans)   

1 tsp italian seasoning   

1/2 tsp dried basil   

1/2 tsp dried oregano   

1/2 tsp black pepper   

1 Tbsp sugar   

1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar   

1 pound(s) uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, four 4-oz pieces   

1/2 cup(s) seasoned bread crumbs, Italian   

4 tsp olive oil, divided   

1 spray(s) cooking spray   

3/4 oz shredded part-skim mozzarella cheeses   

1/4 cup(s) grated Parmesan cheese, fresh   

Instructions

Combine first 5 ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 35 minutes. Stir in sugar and vinegar; simmer 5 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; pound to 1⁄2-inch thickness, using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Dredge chicken in breadcrumbs.

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 chicken breast halves to pan; cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until browned. Repeat procedure with remaining oil and chicken breast halves.

Arrange chicken in an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour tomato mixture evenly over chicken, and sprinkle with cheeses. Cover and bake at 350° for 35 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 chicken breast half, 3⁄4 cup tomato mixture, and 1 ounce cheese mixture).

Waffle Iron Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

2 spray(s) cooking spray   

2/3 cup(s) light cream cheese, at room temperature   

1/3 cup(s) unpacked brown sugar   

1/3 cup(s) sugar   

  1 large egg(s)   

1 tsp vanilla extract   

1/2 cup(s) whole-grain wheat flour   

1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour, unbleached   

1/4 tsp table salt   

1/2 tsp baking soda   

2 Tbsp fat-free skim milk   

6 oz mini chocolate chips

Instructions

Heat the waffle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions.

In a large bowl, whisk the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the oats and chocolate chips.

Coat the grids of the waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray. Use a tablespoon or small ice cream scoop to portion out a cookie onto each waffle square. Close the iron and cook until set and beginning to brown, 1-1/2 to 3 minutes, depending on the heat of your waffle iron. Use a thin metal spatula to transfer the cooked cookies to a wire rack and repeat with the remaining dough, coating the grids with spray as necessary.