Homemade Bread Crumbs

Everyone uses breadcrumbs.  They are great for breading chicken breasts (schnitzel anyone?), using in meatballs or a meatloaf.  You can sprinkle them over mac and cheese too!


So why buy pre-made bread crumbs?  They are full of stuff that we don't need, like sodium (amongst other things).  Don't get me wrong, I've bought pre-made before and probably will again.  They are quick and easy.  But, making your own breadcrumbs is quick and easy too!  Whenever you have bread leftover, the end of a loaf or day old bread, don't through it away!  Just make breadcrumbs.  


You can make these ahead of time and freeze them.  They will be ready when you are to make some delicious dishes.


See below for some delicious recipes using breadcrumbs!

To make breadcrumbs:

Tear day old bread into chunks.  You can use french bread, white or wheat bread, I've even used sourdough bread on occasion.  It lends a zip to your dishes!  Place the chunks in your food processor bowl, or you can use the blender. 

Pulse or blend until you have the consistency you’d like. I make mine medium fine.  

Store in the freezer in an airtight container or freezer bag.

You'll love them, they are soft and tender!  Give them a try and let me know what you think.


Here are some inspirations that use breadcrumbs:


buttermilk fried chicken breasts
roasted asparagus with toasted lime breadcrumbs
potato cakes
cauliflower gratin

Chicken Wraps with Tzatziki Sauce

With Valentine's Day over, it's time to lighten up a bit.

This dish I deem classified as a "super-fast" meal.  You can put this together in 15 min, and have a satisfying, hearty lunch or a nice and light dinner.  It's perfect for those hectic days where you just ran in from work, late.  Or is you are too tired to cook from doing Zumba!


The ingredients used are all pre-made, so cooking is really non-existent.  It's a great way to use leftover chicken breasts, or you can opt to purchase a rotisserie chicken and shred that.  Another option, which involves cooking, is to poach a chicken breast and shred the meat for the filling.  For this I used some leftover chicken that I had baked previous night and shredded.


This wrap is a spin on some Greek flavors, using tzatziki sauce, with a little middle eastern flatbread thrown in for good measure.


I hope you enjoy this wrap.  It's mighty tasty!

 

How easy was that?

Chicken Wraps with Tzatziki Sauce


serves 2


2 pieces of flatbread
1/3 c chopped or shredded lettuce
1/2 tomato chopped
1 cooked chicken breast, shredded 
5 T. tzatziki sauce, store bought


Lay the flatbread on a working surface.  Divide shredded lettuce and tomato between the flatbread.  Top with shredded chicken, about 1/2 breast on each wrap.  Top each with 2 1/2 T of tzatziki sauce.  


Roll up flatbread starting from the long side.  Secure with toothpicks and cut in half.  Serve.

"In the Mood" Chocolate Mousse Pie

Happy Valentine's Day!

They say that chocolate is an aphrodisiac...  Why not try some chocolate today and see what happens?


Make my "In the Mood" Chocolate Mousse Pie for your valentine today.  They will never guess how easy it was to make!  It's a tasty, creamy dessert!

Hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

"In the Mood" Chocolate Mousse Pie


Serves 8


1 9" prepackaged pie crust
2 1.4 oz package of Chocolate fudge sugar-free pudding mix
1 2/3 c low fat milk
1 8 oz container of whipped topping
2 T mini semi-sweet chocolate chips


Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Bake pie crust according to package directions.  Remove from oven and cool.


In a medium bowl whisk pudding and milk until mixed thoroughly.  Fold half of the whipped topping into the pudding mixture, and fold until well blended.


Spread mixture into pie crust.  Top with remaining whipped topping and sprinkle with semi-sweet chocolate chips.