Subpolka's carrot & raisin muffins & JulieTori's crispy chicken
Muffinliciousness
* 1/2c raisins (** I soak mine in hot water for 10m prior to using, as it plumps the little suckas up.)
* 1-1/2c flour (** I use whole wheat, but white would work just as well, I'm sure.)
* 2tsp baking powder
* 1/2tsp baking soda
* 1/2tsp ground cinnamon
* 1/4tsp ground nutmeg (** I use a lot more, as I love me some nutmeg.)
* 1/4c sugar
* 1/2tsp salt
* 1c soymilk
* 1/4c canola oil
* 1tsp vanilla extract
* 2c grated carrot
(** I completely eliminate the sugar and canola oil and replace with slightly over 1/4c natural applesauce instead. The end result is a tad more springy/gummy in texture, but still tastes delicious. The carrots, raisins and applesauce provide a lot of natural sweetness.)
1. Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Spray a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar and salt. Create a well in the center and add milk, oil and vanilla.
3. Mix together until *just* combined.
4. Fold in grated carrots. Add raisins.
5. Fill muffin tin three-quarters full (until it passes the toothpick test). Bake for 18-22m. Let cool on cooling rack.
Crispy Chicken
- 1 tsp. dried thyme leaves
- 1 tsp. dried minced chives
- 1 cup dry fine bread crumbs (like Progresso brand you buy)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. pepper
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 egg, beaten
Prepare two-sided grill (e.g., spray George Foreman grill with Pam and preheat). In shallow dish, combine the herbs, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Drizzle the olive oil over this mixture, working it into crumbs gently until crumbs are coated (they will become a little "crumbier" and less like dust).
Dip chicken breasts into beaten egg, then firmly press each coasted breast into bread crumb mixture. Cook the chicken on two-sided indoor grill for 4-6 minutes until thoroughly cooked.
Hints from Julie
If you don't have all the herbs at home, you can skip or substitute. I tried a tiny bit of parsley and some oregano. It was fine. If your chicken breasts are uneven, and you pound them out to an even thickness before cooking, this will be some of the tenderest boneless chicken you've ever had. Seriously. And if the egg wash isn't enough for all 4 pieces of chicken, add a little water or milk to the wash and beat that in--it'll go further.
This recipe is so easy it's not funny...but with a little marinara on top, and some mozzarella, it's like a faster, healthier version of chicken parmesan. Also--the chicken really is pretty crispy, which impressed me.