Can I just tell you all: Spring is by far the absolute best anti-depressant out there! Ever since Spring sprung, my mood has generally been MUCH better, I’ve been generally happier… and this is with next to no chemical anti-depressant in my system! While yes, the kids at school have MAJOR Spring fever and are generally insane on a regular basis, and sure, I get exhausted by the end of the day… but I swear, I’m a different woman than I was this Winter!
SInce my energy has been generally at a higher level, rather than ordering in something, or picking up something after a Jazzercise class (706 calories today, thankyouverymuch!) I’ve had a lot more of a desire to really cook after class. Sure, going to Chipotle sounded amazing today, but I really wanted to come home and cook what I’d been planning.
What was this planned meal? Well, as I mentioned yesterday, I’d asked about fast food meals people wanted to see “healthified.” The first one that came to mind for both Adam and I were the KFC Famous Bowls. Sure, a bowl full of mashed potatoes, fried chicken, corn, cheese and gravy sounded great until I read the nutrition facts: 700 calories and 32 grams of fat! I decided I could make it better and better for me!
Chicken, Corn, and Potato Bowl
Serves 2
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts, diced
2 small potatoes, diced
3/4 c. dry bread crumbs
2 Tbsp. dijon mustard
1/2. c. shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
1/2 c. cooked corn kernals
1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. olive oil
Smart Balance buttery spread, to taste for corn
chopped tomato, if desired
Directions
Heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil in a large pan, and add the diced potatoes. Cook thoroughly, adding water to the pan if needed. Season as you like, I used garlic powder. Coat the chicken pieces with dijon mustard, then coat with bread crumbs. Heat the remaining teaspoon of olive oil in a different pan and add the chicken. Cook thoroughly. Layer in a bowl: potatoes, chicken, corn, cheese, and tomatoes (if desired). Enjoy!
My recipe’s stats: 567 calories, 14 g. fat, 7 g. fiber.
This was SO good, and tasted quite decadent. I’ll be making this again for sure!
Tonight’s guest for dinner is none other than The Peanut Butter Boy! If you haven’t checked out his blog yet, you must. He has some of the best recipes using peanut butter, as well as being the host of the Peanut Butter Exhibitions! So, Peanut Butter Boy, pull up a chair, have a seat at my table, and tell us about your meal!
Good evening folks and welcome to Mara’s dinner party. T
onight I, Peanut Butter Boy, will be you host for a culinary adventure through foodie heaven: yes, I speak of Trader Joe’s. This recipe contains 4 ingredients, all of which can be purchased (and is recommended to do so) at Trader Joe’s. Before we get to the food I must warn you, there is no peanut butter in this dish – I hope I didn’t disappoint too much. Now that that’s out of the way, please enjoy my Honey Mustard Salmon & Brie Burger:
Ingredients:
1 salmon burger
3 slices (~ 1oz) light brie
2 slices whole grain artisan bread
2t prepared honey mustard
Directions:
1. Preheat a pan to medium-high. Spray the pan with cooking spray and place down the salmon patty. Cover with a lid and cook for about 3 minutes.
2. Flip the burger, replace the lid and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Remove the lid, place the brie on top of the burger and replace the lid for 30 seconds or until brie begins to melt.
3. Toast the bread in a toaster. Squirt honey mustard onto each slice of bread and spread it around. Place burger between both slices and consume.
Thanks for hosting the dinner party Mara, you’re welcome to stop by my place for dinner anytime =).
Salmon? Brie? Artisan bread? I’ll forgive you for leaving out the Peanut Butter!! Thanks so much PBB!!
Do you want to be a guest for dinner? Just send an email detailing your dinner, preferably with a photo and recipe, to mara@imadedinner.net and I’ll have you as my guest!
On another note, though you’ve probably already heard about this… our lovely Jenn got engaged yesterday!! Congratulations and confetti are in order!!! CONGRATULATIONS MS. BENDER!!!! OH, and Meghann is giving away a Blue Mountain Organics pack! I want it! Don’t enter 
Tomorrow is an interesting day. I have my normal school day, followed by Open House from 6:30-8:00 p.m. So I’ll be at work, pretty much from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. It’s really too bad that I have this event tomorrow, because more importantly, tomorrow is MY MOM’S BIRTHDAY!!!!
Happy almost birthday Axor! I love you!
Have a wonderful night all! It’s my favorite TV night, so I’m off to VEG OUT!
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
That picture of the blooming flower is absolutely beautiful!
Christina´s last blog post..Grilled Tuna
I always thought those KFC bowls were interesting. Obviously, not good for you, but they had all sorts of stuff I’d like in them. I bet if you wanted to, you could add a healthy mushroom gravy to your recipe to make it even a little more like the bowl. But I’d totally give those a go, sans tomato.
Marianne´s last blog post..But That’s Not My Job
Yes, when the weather is nice everything is just soooo much better…
Both meals sound awesome. Well, I know what I’ll be getting at Trader Joe’s tomorrow…
your guest posts are always fun
Pearl´s last blog post..Raw Prune Brownies
HAPPPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!
MizFit´s last blog post..Link Love & Temporary Tats.
Made the plantains last night…Excellent!
jennk/cinnamonquill´s last blog post..A David Leite Cookie Timeline
I agree that spring is a good mood enhancer!
Geat bowl you made there!
Krista´s last blog post..Gone Bananas!
Ooh – that healthified KFC bowl looks delish! Hi Peanut Butter Boy. I too have enjoyed the delight that is Trader Joe’s Salmon Burger. I think I reviewed in on my site and it’s great. Must try it with brie now.
Tanya´s last blog post..Kellogg’s Cracklin’ Oat Bran Cereal
Hey PB Boy – this recipe looks great
Mara – I know what you mean about springtime and your mood. I have been much happier since it warmed up!
I feel like we should do something for Jenn but I don’t know what?
Rose´s last blog post..Fresh Fruit Dance Party
Your meal looks better than anything from KFC.
Jess´s last blog post..Friday Announcement and Call for Writers
love that lil bowl you put together – DELISH!
Shannon (The Daily Balance)´s last blog post..Fashion Friday – STILL waiting to bust out the summer wardrobe!
Your chicken, corn & potato bowl looks so yummy – comfort food made healthy!
Lauren´s last blog post..Sunshine
you’re so right about spring — def the best anti-depressant!
haha, before i read what pb boy said and just saw his picture, i was trying so hard to find the pb in there! i was saying to myself, i guess that mustard-y looking thing COULD be pb …
even pb-less, though, it looks delicious! thank you pb boy
hope your long day today is going ok!
Sarah (Tales of Expansion)´s last blog post..The bakery
Ok, seriously, I need to try Jazzercise again. Your calorie burn is always so insanely awesome!! It’s so neat that you have found a form of exercise that you truly LIKE
Lara (Thinspired)´s last blog post..Cracked Out (05/08/09)
mmm cheesy potato and corn, what could be better!
Jessica´s last blog post..Bean Tostadas
So I don’t know if you are familiar with Patton Oswald, the comedian. He voiced the rat in Ratatouille (whose name is escaping me). Anyway, my favorite bit of his is when he describes the KFC bowl as a “failure pile in a sadness bowl,” here is the youtube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfan5MacmsI. I must say, your idea of blogging about nightly dinner has almost made me want to revive my blog….almost.
Natalie´s last blog post..2 DAYS TO GO
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