V̶a̶l̶e̶n̶t̶i̶n̶e̶s̶ D̶a̶y̶

No one to spend valentines day with this year? Me neither. For the first time in a GOSH long amount of years, I'm spending the 14th in my bed drinking hot chocolate.. ALONE. Valentines day was always my favorite of holidays, I have various [4 pairs] of limited edition valentines day sneakers, t-shirts for when I'm single [I love Men̶, He's Mine etc etc etc].
So, although I may have a last minute stroke of luck and find a prince charming in time for V-Day, I honestly doubt it. But such is life, I (as many of you also should) am focusing on my studies and approaching this upcoming Monday with that very goal; stay focused on ME.
Going out to eat on V-Day is not quite fun alone, considering the restaurants are mobbed with mushy couples, and honestly what bitter bachelor[ette] wants that? I know I don't.

I'm kind of thinking it'll be a lax day for me, so why not keep it easy?

So, chicken cutlets, garlic mashed potatoes, and creamed corn. =]

For the Chicken Cutlets: (2 ways)
Cutlets, Fried
Ingredients:

• 1 package of chicken cutlets (i like thinly sliced best)
• 2 cups Italian Bread Crumbs
• 2 tablespoons Adobo
• 1 table spoon Garlic Powder
• 1 table spoon onion powder
• 1 table spooke oregano
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 egg, seperate and beaten
• oil, for frying

Recipe:

1. heat oil over in a frying pan over medium heat
2. combine all dry ingredients in a plate
3. dip chicken cutlet in egg, and then coat with bread crumb mixture
4. when oil is hot enough to fry (you can see ripples in it) place cutlets down and cook for about 5 minutes,  or until the side is golden brown. flip over and cook through.
5. put paper towels down on a plate and place cooked chicken over to get rid of excess grease

If you're not in the mood for mashed potatoes, you can always take this recipe, add a spoonful of tomato sauce on top of the cutlets, followed by a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese. serve with pasta and spaghetti sauce for an easy chicken parm!

For the baked version:

• on package of chicken cutlets (again, i like thin sliced best)
• creamy italian salad dressing
• bread crumbs

1. pre heat oven to 350 degrees
2. dip chicken in salad dressing (like done with egg)
3. coat with bread crumbs
4. on a greased baking sheet, place cutlets and bake in oven for 10 minutes, and then flip over and bake for 15 minutes longer.
5. serve!

Mashed potatoes are the easiest starch in the world. Take a pound's worth of yukon gold potatoes, and peel, boil them until the potatoes are tender and the water is no longer clear.

place the SOFT potatoes in a bowl, and add about 4 tablespoons of butter, a quarter to half cup of whole milk or cream, a teaspoon of crushed garlic, add some freshly chopped thyme, salt and pepper to taste. =]

Creamed corn Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of fresh corn
• 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• salt, pepper

To make:

1. melt butter in a sauce pan, and add the corn
2. stir for a couple minutes until the corn is tender
3. add sugar and cream, and continue stirring until cream is thickened
4. turn up the heat while stirring corn
5. add salt and pepper to taste

Also, if you're in the mood for corn fritters, you can take this recipe and:

1. combine 1 and 1/2 cups of flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of salt.
2. combine 2 cups of creamed corn and egg together and stir dry ingredients into mixture slowly, don't over beat
3. drop mixture into frying pan with hot oil, each side until golden brown (2 minutes on each side)
4. place on paper towels and sprinkle powdered sugar on top.

They seemed to enjoy this meal. No?

Well, more to come!

Until then,

Cook the day away <3

-Brooke