One meal now, one meal later!

One meal now...one meal later!

I saw a series like this on a friend's blog and I think it's totally GENIUS. 

I already do this, but now I'm sharing it. (duh... don't know why I didn't think to share it earlier!)

Honestly, one of my least favorite things to do (despite all my pretty food pictures) is spend a TON of time making a meal. Especially dinner. I want dinner to be done as quick as possible so I can spend time with my little family, talk to my husband, etc. 

That means dinner either needs to be a crock pot meal with minimal other prep, a freezer meal that just needs reheated, or very simple for the evening. 

I'll be trying to share a freezer meal once a week as part of a "one meal now, one meal later series." we'll see how long I can keep it going. 

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Alright....down to recipe business!

Chicken Parmesan and Parmesan Zucchini Bites!

Chicken Parmesan 

serves 4

4-5 medium (6-8 oz) chicken breasts, sliced in half (pretend you're making a sandwich of chicken when you slice it. You want it thin) 

3 eggs, beaten lightly in a bowl and set aside

1 to 1 1/2  c Italian whole wheat bread crumbs (regular is fine too)

1/2 c motzerella cheese

1/2 Parmesan cheese, grated 

1/2 to 1 c Homemade marinara sauce

Preheat oven to 350. Coat chicken in egg, then dip lightly in breadcrumbs. Lay into oiled baking dishes. Bake for 30-35 min. Turn off oven. Top chicken with 2-3 tbsp of sauce per piece. Sprinkle cheeses and serve after cheese melts. Great when complimented with the zucchini Parmesan bites! 

**For homemade sauce, I use this recipe with a tad alteration-- http://varietybyvashti.org/2014/05/13/free-seasonings/

• 1 can diced tomatoes (low or no salt is best)
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1-2 TBSP honey (to offset the acidity of the tomatoes)
• 2-4 cloves garlic, minced
• Italian seasoning, to taste

Stir the ingredients in a pan and simmer for 20-30 minutes.  If necessary, add just a pinch of sugar or Stevia to remove the tartness.

So there you have it!  Freeze your extra meal in a tinfoil container, or in ziploc baggies if you're cheap like me. It'll freeze well for about 2 months! (this recipe serves 2-3 people, so do the math and double up ingredients!)

Zucchini Parmesan bites:

Serves 2

2 zucchini, sliced length wise into eight pieces 

Drizzle or spray with 2 tsp olive oil then sprinkle on spices

1/2 tsp garlic powder 

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/4 c Parmesan cheese, sprinkled over the top of the zucchini

Preheat oven to 350. Bake for 12-15 min or until zucchini is tender when forked.

I hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as I do! 

Happy Thursday!