RICE CRISPY CHICKEN

*Back To School Collection- A healthy alternative to the classic version!!!

4 cups rice crispy cereal (sometimes you can find brown rice crispies at natural food stores)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
3 pounds chicken pieces, boneless skinless, washed and patted dry
3 TB margarine or butter, melted

1. Place plain rice crispiest cereal in shallow dish or pan.
2. Stir in garlic powder. Set aside.
3. In medium mixing bowl, beat egg and milk slightly. Add flour, salt, pepper and smoked paprika. Mix until smooth. Dip chicken in egg batter then coat with cereal mixture until covered.
4. Place in single layer, in shallow baking pan coated with cooking spray. Drizzle with melted margarine. Bake at 350 degrees about 1 hour or until chicken is tender, no longer pink and juices run clear. Do not cover pan or turn chicken while baking. Serve hot. Enjoy!!!

(Source: dash magazine-blog.trysensa.com & photo also)

BACK TO SCHOOL TIP

*2. Have a special lunch while school shopping, even as simple as a picnic on a mall bench.

(Source: dash magazine & google+ photo)

Margherita Pizza Dip

*Back To School Collection-HANDS-ON: 10 min *TOTAL: 30 min *SERVES: 6-8

8 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
8 oz Italian-Blend grated cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
+ Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup jarred marinara sauce
4 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
+ Fresh basil, for topping
+ Bread sticks, for serving

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together ricotta,Italian, and Parmesan cheeses in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper.
2. Evenly spread cheese mixture in a deep-dish pie plate or 1-1/2-to 2-quart baking dish. Spoon sauce over cheese, leaving a clean border around edge. Top with mozzarella cheese.
3. Bake about 20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Top with basil and serve with bread sticks for dipping.

(Source: dash magazine & photo also-Donna & Chad Elick)

BACK TO SCHOOL TIP

*1. Donate good-quality school supplies from last year (backpacks, lunch boxes) before buying new ones.

(Source: dash magazine & kaboom wallpaper)

NEW ENGLAND SHRIMP ROLLS

*Back To School Collection-Celebrate the Last Days of Summer with this recipe!!!

HANDS-ON: 15 min TOTAL: 15 min MAKES 4

2 cups cold, cooked large shrimp (thawed if frozen)
3 TB diced celery
2 TB chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
3 TB mayonnaise, plus more if needed
+ Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 hot dog buns, buttered and toasted

1. Shell shrimp and cut each into about 3 pieces.
2. Combine shrimp, celery, parsley, and mayonnaise in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper; add more mayo if you prefer a creamier salad. Divide among buns.

TIP: You can make a classic New England lobster roll with this recipe, too:  Just substitute chopped cooked lobster meat for the shrimp.

(Source: dash magazine & photo also)

Peanut Butter and Banana Pancake Turnovers

*Back To School Collection-HANDS-ON: 25 min *TOTAL: 25 min *SERVES: 4-6

1-1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter, plus about 3 TB for cooking
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 TB sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/4 cup peanut butter
2 bananas, peeled and thinly sliced
+ Cinnamon, for sprinkling

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Warm milk and 1/4 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, swirling pan, until butter melts (do not let boil), remove from heat and add vanilla.
3. Whisk flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Beat egg in a medium bowl; slowly whisk warm milk mixture into egg. Whisk wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined; batter will be lumpy.
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt 1 TB butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, drop batter into skillet in 1/4-cup dollops. Cook until tops bubble, about 2 minutes, then top half of each pancake with about 1 teaspoon butter, 2-3 banana slices, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Fold each pancake over filling (taco-style) with a spatula, then transfer to prepared baking sheet. Bake 2-3 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, add 1 more TB butter to pan and repeat process with batter, peanut butter, banana, and cinnamon. Remove first batch from oven as second goes in, and repeat with any remaining batter.

(Source: dash magazine & photo also)

MORE BACK TO SCHOOL RECIPES!!!

(Photos: google+ and kaboom wallpaper)