Chicken Parm.

“If I could eat this for the rest of my life, I would but I never know how to make it.”

My brother

I had to get into my cravings this week. I simply just needed Chicken Parm. BUT instead of ordering a huge, saucy, greasy dinner from my pizzeria, I decided to make it myself because you know it is okay to feed into your cravings now and then because if not they just fester. Also, if you chose to cook meals yourself you are more in control AND in the know of what ingredients are used and modify if need be. For all you Millennials out there here is how you make Chicken Parm from scratch and yes YOU CAN DO IT.

The goods:

• 1 package (5 or 6) of chicken cutlets
• 1/2 cup of flour
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
• 4 table spoons of tomato sauce
• Mozzarella

Let’s get cooking

Cook time: 30 mins

Prep time: 5 mins

• Grab 3 bowls. Place flour in one, 3 scrambled eggs in the next and breadcrumbs in the last one.
• Season chicken as desired (some salt and pepper)
• Coat the chicken in flour, egg and breadcrumbs and place on a dish.
• REPEAT.
• Once all your cutlets are breaded. In a medium skillet on medium low. Place chicken in pan.
• Cook on each side for about 3 mins.
• Set aside on another tray.
• Preheat your oven to 350.
• Place chicken on a baking sheet, top with tomato sauce and cheese.
• Place in oven for about 5 mins until cheese is melted and brown.
• Take out and serve!

Cha-Ching

Let’s talk money

Grocery Store: Trader Joe’s

Chicken Cutlets:$5.99

Eggs: $1.99

Flour: $2.99

Breadcrumbs: $3.00

Tomato Sauce: $1.99

Mozzerella: $3.00

Total: $18.96

How many meals did I get out of this?

Drum roll please…

6!

The price of this meal is equivalent to a normal entree dinner at an Italian restaurant and you get 6 meals out of it.

You can even make pasta and serve it on the side. This is a great dish to make when you are cooking to impress for a date night or have friends over!

Let me know if you try it and have any helpful tips!

The Veggie Omelet

“Wow, that looks… amazing, you made that?”

My Roommate

I already know what you are thinking. Is this chick for real making a blog post about a freakin omelet? YES I AM. I feel like us Millennials don’t realize how damn easy and fast it is to make one in your home on a Sunday morning instead of going to a diner. So I am here to share that it couldn’t be easier and if you feel intimidated, just follow along and you won’t be able to stop cooking them! Also is it just me or does anyone else struggle with spelling this delicious, savory creation? Here is the omelet that I created this week. Fun fact, a veggie one is great to make to clean out the fridge and use the vegetables that you bought earlier in the week.

The goods:

• 2 large eggs
• 2 handfuls of spinach
• 1 handful of mushrooms
• 1 teaspoon of white onion
• Shredded Cheese.

Let’s get cooking

Cook time: 7 mins

Prep time: 5 mins

• In a bowl, crack 2 large eggs and scramble- season as desired (I do, salt, black pepper and a little cayenne) keep scrambled eggs on the side.
• In a medium skillet heat over medium heat and spray with nonstick spray
• Add teaspoon of onions and cook until browned
• Add mushrooms and season as desired. Cook for about 4 mins until they are slightly soft.
• Add spinach and mix all veggies together.
• Once spinach appears wilted, use a spatula and spread evenly throughout the skillet.
• Add your scrambled eggs evenly over the veggies.
• Let the eggs cook for about 3 mins or until the eggs do not jiggle anymore ( you can test this by moving the pan slightly.)
• Turn the heat to low and add cheese if and as desired.
• Fold and serve!

Cha-Ching

Let’s talk money.

Grocery Store: Trader Joe’s

Eggs: (1 dozen) $2.99

Spinach: $2.00

Mushrooms:$3.00

Onions:$0.78

Total: $8.77

How meals did I get out of it?

Drum roll please….

6!

The price is equivalent to a breakfast sandwich and coffee at your local cafe.

Spice it up! Try a different combo, let me know what you do!

The Salad.

“Skinny SZN!”

-Myself to Myself

I’m going to be honest– I feel like a fat cow this week. No, literally I took “Treat Yourself” to a whole new level. After, binging carbs the past week, My body was BEGGING me to eat some veggies. Of course, I had to make it a little fun. Here’s my take on my go-to-salad that will make your body feel like the temple it deserves to be and also satisfy the not-so healthy side as well.

The goods:

• 1 bag of arugula
• 1 avocado
• 1 bag of TJ’s cruciferous crunch
• 1 package of medium cooked shrimp
• 1 package of butternut squash

Let’s get cooking

Cook time: 30 mins

Prep time:5 mins

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Cover a baking sheet with foil and non stick spray.
• Place butternut squash on the tray and lightly coat with olive oil.
• Season as desired (Mine is salt, black pepper, a little garlic, cayenne pepper and cinnamon.)
• Place in oven and cook for 25 mins.
• Rest on the side to cool.
• Medium skillet, heat the pan on medium low temperature with oil and butter.
• Place cooked shrimp in the pan and season as desired. Cook for 3 mins. Rest on the side to cool.
• In a large mixing bowl, measure arugula and the crunch into a large mixing bowl
• Add shrimp, squash, avocado into mixing bowl.
• Add your dressing of choice! Mine is TJ’s feta dressing and the everything but the bagel seasoning!

Cha-Ching

Let’s talk money

Grocery Store: Trader Joe’s

Arugula: $1.99

Cruciferous Crunch: $2.49

Avocado: $1.29

Shrimp: $7.99

Squash: $2.69

Total: $16.45

How many meals did I get out of it?

4!

This meal is equivalent to an extra large pizza.

Over the salad? Save the shrimp and add them into another dish!

Let me know if you tried it and have any helpful tips!

Sausage and Peppers

An Italian classic!

My Mother

Okay, so here’s the deal. I grew up in an Italian household and was always watching my mom and other relatives cook. For me, a basic Sunday dinner was as much of a production as cooking for a holiday (okay so not as much but you get my point.) So naturally its in my blood to crave this dish from time to time. I know what you are thinking. “hOw CaN tHiS bE hEaLtHy?” Scroll down to see the recipe perfect for your week!

The goods:

1 package(5 links) of pork or chicken sausage
1 jar of tomato sauce
1 large white onion
3 peppers (red, yellow and orange... I like the colors)

Let’s get cooking

Cook time: 25 mins

Prep time: 10 mins

• In a large skillet heat over medium high with non stick cooking spray
• Place all 5 links in the pan about 4 mins on each side.
• Keep rotating sausage in the pan until they appear slightly brown on both sides.
• Remove from pan and place on a plate until cool.
• Cut sausage into quarter like pieces and remain on plate.
• Add some minced garlic and oil to the skillet and then the diced onions and peppers.
• At this point, flavor as you desire. I love spicy so I throw in some red pepper flakes.
• Once your veggies have been cooked down, add the sausage into the pan.
• Add half a jar of tomato sauce to the remaining skillet and reduce the heat to low.
• The tomato sauce adds some color and a little more flavor.
• Let this simmer for about 5 to 8 minutes.
• Garnish with some parmesan cheese if desired.
• Also can be added over pasta or onto a roll if you do not want to make it “healthy.”

Cha-Ching

Lets talk money.

Grocery Store: Trader Joe’s

Sausage: $5.99

Tomato Sauce:$2.00

Onion:$0.69

Peppers:$4.99 for all 3

Total: $13.67

How many meals did I get out of it?

Drum roll please…
4!
The price of this meal is equivalent to a burrito bowl from Chipotle.

Sick of eating this 4x a week? You don’t have to be. Freeze 2 portions and enjoy at a later date!

Please comment below if you tried it out and added any new takes.