Morning Snack

When you are coming down from you caffeine buzz from all the coffee you downed in the past two hours, here is the perfect snack to have before you get to your lunch. I try to eat breakfast every morning but sometimes there is just no time. Coffee becomes my morning meal, but after the sugar and caffeine buzz wares off I need something else to pick me back up, for me the perfect snack is a nice peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I know some of you may be laughing but when you think about eating a nice rich peanut butter and jelly sandwich it does make you crave it. It is the perfect combination of protein and sugar, if you are at work a container of peanut butter and a little jar of jelly is not that hard to stash in one of your drawers. I like to eat it on whole wheat or 7 grain bread, the bread is stiffer and will not get soggy from the jelly. It is the perfect pick me up to eat in the middle of the morning, it will keep you satisfied for a little while and will re energize you. Try it and see how good it makes you feel.

Here's whats for lunch

When it is cold and rainy out I want to eat something warm and comforting. Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches are a very comforting food. They are filled with gooey mozzarella cheese, tangy tomato sauce, and fried chicken, whats not to like. The only problem is after eating one of these sandwiches you feel like going to sleep for hours. It ways you down and leaves you lethargic, but I have a little twist on the classic favorite that won't way you down. My version of the traditional Chicken Parmesan Sandwich gets a fresh twist. Italian bread stuffed with grilled chicken,tomato sauce,fresh mozzarella cheese, red onions, and basil is a perfect twist on the Italian classic. It is a filling yet satisfying meal that won't way you down. It is easy to make and will leave you satisfied but not to stuffed. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1/4 of an Italian loaf split in half
1 chicken breast
1/4 of a red onion sliced thin
1/4 cup of tomato sauce
1/2 a tomato sliced thin
4 slices of fresh mozzarella cheese
5 basil leaves chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper

Preparation:

put a little bit of olive oil on the chicken breasts and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill until fully cooked through, or bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or until cooked through. After chicken is cooked set aside. Take the Italian bread and brush with olive oil then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spoon the tomato sauce onto the bread and spread evenly. Put the sliced tomato in an even layer on one side of the bread. Add the onions,mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves in an even layer on top of the tomatoes. Slice the chicken breast into thin strips and add on top of the basil leaves. Brush the outside of the bread with a little bit of olive oil then place into the 375 degree oven just until the sauce heats up and the cheese melts.

Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals is one of my favorite shows on television. I try to watch it everyday at 2:30. For me cooking is fun it is a valid reason to play with your food. It gives you a chance to explore and learn new things by using all five of your senses. Rachel Ray makes cooking fun and easy. I will admit she seems like she is a little crazy, I mean come on no one can be that happy and goofy all the time, but her technique and shortcuts make it easy to create a meal in under 30 minutes. She can make something as ordinary as pasta and turn it into a fancy and tasty meal in no time. Her shortcuts would never let anyone know you made a dish in half an hour that should have taken 3 hours to prepare. Some of my favorite recipes include Spaghetti all' Elsa, Mushroom Lovers French Bread pizza, and Grilled honey lime chicken sandwiches. These dishes are simple and delicious to make. Her shortcuts such as keeping a garbage bowl next to where you are cooking sounds ridiculous but it truly saves a lot of time. It is a great show to watch and replicate to have a great meal every night.