“Approach love and cooking with equal abandon.” – The Dalai Lama… Ok, it’s confession time – I’m not an awesome cook. Yep, I said it. As a mom, I feel like I should be more talented at this dinnertime stuff. But, while I may not have mad-kitchen skills, I do have enthusiasm and creativity. And those do count for something, right? Well, since I’m not a super chef – just a real mom, with a real busy life, who needs to get meals done real quick – I need a few secret weapons to help me out. I’m going to share a couple of them with you guys today, since I’m all about helping other moms get through the day a little bit easier too….
Happiness is Homemade…
So, while I may not be whipping up gourmet meals {but I do get some super awesome simple kitchen tips each week from Whisked Foodie} – Baking is still kind of my thing. I love finding new inspiration on Pinterest to create super fun goodies, especially at the holidays. {Watch this week for a BOATLOAD of cool stuff to be posted on the site. Super excited. And, get this recipe for the Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake Bread here.} Here are a couple of other things that I totally love – year ’round, but even more so at the holidays… I love giving homemade gifts to friends and family. And I love a fun way to present those gifts. {Have you seen my Homemade Gifts Rock board?} And, a trick that I rely on to help me along with both of those, as well as ensure that I have very little to clean up, is to use super sweet tools like Handi-Foil pans.
You cook it, you clean it
Have you ever had that as a motto in your house – “You cook it, you clean it?” In my house I think it’s extremely fair – yet it also discourages me from wanting to cook sometimes, lol. Well, remember how I told you about my secret weapons in the kitchen? Well – let me give you a few awesome reasons to use the new Handi-Foil Holiday Baking Pans this season…
No clean up: Yep, when you use one of these super affordable – and totally disposable – baking dishes for dinners or entertaining, you have way less mess at the end of the night to clean up. Just eat, enjoy, and then toss in the trash!
Gifting: If you love baking homemade gifts like I do, Handi-Foil offers a ton of super festive baking pans that you can use to prepare and present your favorite goodies. You don’t have to spend a ton on buying pretty bakeware, you don’t have to ugly discount containers – you can give your gifts in great quality pans that are as awesome as your gift.
Potlucks: Do you have any potluck style parties on your calendar this month? If so, Handi-Foil pans can be a lifesaver! You can bake your dishes or baked goods in pans that are holiday themed and totally presentable – but can leave whenever you need to, without worry of getting your favorite pan or platter back. LOVE this.
These pans work just as well making a regular dinner at home as they do for baking up special holiday treats. See them in action, and get some dinnertime inspiration too…
Cooking is Love made visible
So, maybe I’m not the best cook out there. But I can make some pretty awesome basic meals for my family, on my frugal grocery budget, that look and taste delicious. And when I combine that with some awesome pans from Handi-Foil so that I don’t even have to clean up – I’m mom of the year, right? No more of that, “Sorry guys, after I clean up the kitchen I’ll come play.” No. Now I just throw the baking pans into the trash, and get on with my busy mom life. What’s better than that? And, if you want my super yummy Homemade Shake & Bake with Bacon and Parmesan Recipe, start with the basic mix from Kitchen Simplicity, then follow these easy peasy steps – and if you want the recipe for the yummy bread at the beginning, remember that it’s here: Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake Bread.
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese {or cheat and use a can if needed}
Bacon. Fresh is best, but again, using a jar of REAL bacon bits is ok too. Moms are busy.
Dash of pepper
Chicken breasts
Instructions
Put together the basic Shake & Bake mix.
Add the additional dry ingredients, one at a time, mixing to combine.
Don't feel guilty if you're not using fully fresh ingredients. You're doing your best mom - so give yourself a pat on the back for not resorting to delivery pizza.
Dip each chicken breast in a bit of water, and splash it around into the seasoning mix, on both sides, to cover fully. Press in just a bit, and then lay each piece into the Hand-Foil baking pan.
Once finished, use any extra seasoning coating to sprinkle on top of chicken in the pan.
Bake at 350 degrees, for 45 minutes - or until no longer pink inside.
Serve with your favorite Rosemary Fried Potatoes or other side, and make sure to use your other Handi-Foil pans to create your favorite dessert too!
I am making homemade desserts because I too think that it is best have homemade! I will be making Sugar Cookies, Cheesecake, Orange Cranberry Nut Bread.
My hubby does NOT believe in the “You cook you clean it” motto at all! He does cook a lot but never ever cleans his mess… guess who does? Uh huh! Thank God for Handi-Foil pans! We use them all the time! This recipe looks yummy! I was just looking for a similar recipe last week! Thanks for the post!
I love to cook and am so thankful for throw away pans especially around busy holidays. You can take it with you and when it is over if there is nothing left just throw away the pan and no mess to worry about.
Sometimes when giving homemade food gifts, I like to get pretty bakeware dishes at discount or thrift shops and give them along with the food. Twice the gift and less waste!
Yahoo! Easy enough for me– I hate being in the kitchen longer than necessary– this is so easy–toss and go– great idea thanks– I am going to give it a try…
Always looking for something different for baking chicken, this sounds yummy and nobody likes cleaning the pan after baking so disposable is always preferred here.
That sounds soo yummy with bacon added. My son LOVES bacon and is a picky eater so anything coated with this is sure to be a hit right? Sounds like a good crust top for green beans too :)
"The phrase "working mother" is redundant."
I'm Meagan - a Momma, a Blogger, a Freelance Writer, and a total Social Media Junkie. I love sparkles and … [Read More...]
GOTTA LOVE NEW RECIPES :}
I have a recipe similar to this but I will add the shake and bake next time :-)
I am making homemade desserts because I too think that it is best have homemade! I will be making Sugar Cookies, Cheesecake, Orange Cranberry Nut Bread.
i love homemade things. i just wish i had the money to make homemade gifts for family.
this sounds yummy!!!
The chicken sounds delicious!
My hubby does NOT believe in the “You cook you clean it” motto at all! He does cook a lot but never ever cleans his mess… guess who does? Uh huh! Thank God for Handi-Foil pans! We use them all the time! This recipe looks yummy! I was just looking for a similar recipe last week! Thanks for the post!
I love making homemade desserts. I bake a lot during the holidays, and I always prepare the cookie dough ahead of time before I bake them.
I love to cook and am so thankful for throw away pans especially around busy holidays. You can take it with you and when it is over if there is nothing left just throw away the pan and no mess to worry about.
The rule in our house is just the opposite, “You cook, I clean”, however, when I cook, I clean up. I need a new rule, lol :)
Sometimes when giving homemade food gifts, I like to get pretty bakeware dishes at discount or thrift shops and give them along with the food. Twice the gift and less waste!
Thisrecipe is simple yet it should be delicious. I love great short cuts.
This is so easy! I’ll have to try this. Thanks =D
Yahoo! Easy enough for me– I hate being in the kitchen longer than necessary– this is so easy–toss and go– great idea thanks– I am going to give it a try…
Always looking for something different for baking chicken, this sounds yummy and nobody likes cleaning the pan after baking so disposable is always preferred here.
That sounds soo yummy with bacon added. My son LOVES bacon and is a picky eater so anything coated with this is sure to be a hit right? Sounds like a good crust top for green beans too :)