Shake And Bake Chicken

"If you can cook, money is not a problem. If you can cook - you can whip together a delicious healthy meal in minutes, it's cheaper than anything you can get McDonald's. " - The Naked Chef

The other day while shopping at the mall, I heard a mother tell her children, "C'mon. We're going to McDonald's."

One of his children said: "I do not want to go to McDonald's!"

To which she replied: "Well, we're going. I have coupons.

With the current financial downturn, sales of Mac Donald's - and those of other fast food restaurants food - rose much time. Business is good - it's just the high-fat, nutrient-poor "product" that is not.

But any professional cook to tell you this: "You can prepare an easy meal to prepare quickly for your family that is nutritious, delicious - and cheaper - all fast food meals there."

Chefs will tell you that for years they have heard their children's friends, saying: "Wow, you always have these delicious meals at home - how can you afford?"

And the head replies, "Actually - the meals are cheaper than any meal you can buy there - fast food - TV dinners - you name."

IF you can cook at all - you can reduce your meals - while increasing the nutritional quality ... YOU can do it all!

I was a cook pro for more than 30 years, and I do just that.

So - if you want to impress family or friends - or you have a hot date, perhaps particularly you-know-you just met the WUVING.com or somewhere and want to prepare a romantic dinner ... For you - here are some of my favorite easy recipes that have been favorites of the family:

- Shake & Bake Mexican Chicken -

1 chicken cut

4 cups flour

2 Tsp. Cayenne pepper

1 cup Bran Flake Cereal (crushed)

2 TBLS. Parsley flakes

2 Tsp. Garlic powder

1 TBLS. Onion Powder

2 Tsp. Chili powder

2 TBLS. Taco Seasoning

1 tbsp. Pepper

1 tbsp. Curry powder

1 tbsp. Basilisk

1 tbsp. Oregano

Mix well. Preheat oven to 400F

Dredge chicken pieces in above mixture. Melt butter 1 / 4 cup in a dish of 9 x 12 pan. Place chicken skin side down and brush with melted butter over the pan. Bake uncovered for 25 min. Turn skin side down, reduce heat to 350F and bake until tender, for 30-35 minutes.

You can serve Mexican Shake & Bake Chicken with:

- Red Beans and Rice Chile -

2 cups Uncle Ben's rice long grain (cooked)

1-16 ounce can chili beans chili sauce

1 teas. chili powder

1 / 4 teas. Cumin

Dash garlic salt

In a saucepan, heat beans without letting it boil. Stir in chili powder, cumin and garlic salt. When hot, add the hot rice and mix gently.

1 chicken cut

4 cups flour

2 Tsp. Cayenne pepper

1 cup Bran Flake Cereal (crushed)

2 TBLS. Parsley flakes

2 Tsp. Garlic powder

1 TBLS. Onion Powder

2 Tsp. Chili powder

2 TBLS. Taco Seasoning

1 tbsp. Pepper

1 tbsp. Curry powder

1 tbsp. Basilisk

1 tbsp. Oregano

Mix well. Preheat oven to 400F

Dredge chicken pieces in above mixture. Melt butter 1 / 4 cup in a dish of 9 x 12 pan. Place chicken skin side down and brush with melted butter over the pan. Bake, uncovered, for 25 min. Turn skin side down, reduce heat to 350F and bake until tender, for 30-35 minutes.