Mini Bagel Garlic Bites

Seems like we always have some type of bread wasting away in the pantry.  This time it was the bag of mini bagels.  I bought them thinking the kids would eat them with cream cheese for breakfast or for a snack.  That lasted one day and they were on to the next thing (frozen breakfast sandwiches or leftover pizza) or back to that other thing...Eggo waffles, Krave, or Fruity Pebbles cereal.  So, I needed something to do with these mini bagels.  I really hate wasting food unless it's expired then it goes in the trash!

We were having Italian night with spaghetti and these Turkey & Pork Meatballs I ordered from Schwan's along with a side salad, but something was missing.  Ah, yes...garlic bread!  That is when these little bites were born.

Here is how I made this easy side to go along with any Italian meal.

Mini Bagel Garlic Bites

Ingredients:

4 mini bagels, sliced and cut in half

1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened

1 fresh garlic clove, minced (You could use more here if you like more garlic flavor.)

Directions:

Preheat your oven broiler on high.  Slice the bagels and cut in half creating 4 "bites" per mini bagel.  Mix together the butter and garlic.  Spread a little garlic butter on each "bite" covering the top.  Position the "bites" on a cookie sheet sprayed with non-stick spray.  Broil in the oven until lightly toasted.  This won't take long.  Make sure you watch them so they don't burn.  Serves 4.

Delizioso!

Baked Chicken Parmesan

Do you get sick of chicken?  I do.  It's an easy choice because it can be prepared so many different ways but wow, it can be BORING!  The good thing is it's a healthy choice when prepared boneless and skinless, you just have to kick it up a notch to satisfy those taste buds!  This recipe is almost a weekly go to for me when I want an easy, quick meal that the whole family will love.

 

 

Baked Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, thawed (I order ours from Schwan's.)

1 jar of your favorite spaghetti/marinara sauce (I like Rao's, available in various flavors)

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Shredded parmesan cheese

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place chicken breasts in 8x8 glass baking dish.  Pour about 1/2 cup of marinara sauce over the top of each chicken breast and bake covered with foil for 40 minutes.  Top each breast with 1/4 cup of mozzarella and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.  Bake uncovered for another 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

 

Serve with whole wheat spaghetti and a side salad or steamed veggies.  You can also add some crusty whole grain bread and olive oil for dipping!  Yum!

 

Nutrition (not including sides):

Calories 280, Fat 14g, Carbs 4g, Sodium 925mg, Protein 33g

 

In the mood for Italian but not feeling the chicken, check out this Make Your Own Pizza recipe.

Make Your Own Pizza!

Running around with the kids all evening and don't have time to cook a big meal?

 

Long day at work and don't feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen?

 

Home alone and don't feel like really cooking?

 

Well, here is an easy evening meal for you!

 

 

Make Your Own Pizza

Ingredients:

1 Flatout Flatbread (I use Multi-Grain with Flax.)

1/2 cup of your favorite marinara or pizza sauce (Rao's Italian Sausage and Mushroom used above.)

14 slices of turkey pepperoni

Sautéed veggies, optional (red peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc sautéed in a little olive oil until soft)

1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

2 tsp parmesan cheese, shredded

 

Directions: 

Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.  Bake just the flatout at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until crisp.  Take it out, flip it over, and top with the marinara sauce, turkey pepperoni, veggies (optional), and cheeses.  Put back in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted, about 10 more minutes.  Serves 1.

For an extra kick, my husband adds red pepper flakes to his.

 

Enjoy!

 

Nutrition:

Calories 350, Fat 19g, Carbs 23g, Sodium 1120mg, Protein 32g