simmered italian rice

recipe courtesy of swanson (campbellskitchen.com)

prep: 10 min; cook 25 min. makes 4 servings

1 3/4 cup chicken broth
1 tsp italian seasoning, crushed
3/4 c uncooked long-grain white rice (zataran's is my favorite)
1 cup chopped fresh spinach
1/2 cup grated parmesean cheese (i also add a random amount of romano)


1.  heat broth and italian seasoning in saucepan to a boil.
2.  stir rice and spinach in saucepan.  reduce heat to low.  cover and cook 20 min or until rice is tender.  stir in cheese.  add salt and pepper to taste, if desired.

quick and easy oven baked chicken parmesean

1lb fresh chicken breasts
panko (or regular) bread crumbs
jarred marinara sauce
mozzarella cheese
grated/shredded parmesan cheese
1 tsp dried oregano

1. salt and pepper both sides of chicken. cover both sides in bread crumbs and lay on a foil-lined (for easier clean-up) baking pan.

2. baked at 400 for 20 min or until cooked through. top each chicken breast with marinara sauce and cheeses. sprinkle with oregano. bake an additional 5 min or until cheese is melted (i usually then broil it for a few minutes to get the cheese yummy and brown).

as a side dish, i usually prepare fettuccini noodles and either toss them with some of the left-over marinara or with butter/parmesean/parsley.