party in my tummy

so, i've had a little thought.

it's about food and sharing moments.

it is such an important part of our society and the relationships we have.  i can't remember how many times i have had the thought, while sharing a meal with family or friends or when i am by myself, that food is HEALING.

we celebrate with it.  we grieve with it.  we mark new life, holidays, and create customs with it.  food is life.

and, of course, as i've learned in my food journey and life journey...it is all about the choices you make.  i have been making a valiant effort the past few years to be really aware of what goes into my mouth and my family's mouths.  sometimes i slip.  some days are better than others.  we have eaten cereal for dinner or a few too many PBandJ's than i would have liked, but in the effort to channel my inner "awesome mom" i have tried to start making good meals and making them more often!  

so. i thought that i would share a few gems now and then that i have tried and that i know are GOOD and EASY!  i will admit...some will be really healthy and some will be just yummy and comforting.  because that is just the way life is...and we roll with it!

i will try to catalog them on the side bar so you can check them out whenever you want...and you know you will want to!  some of these are SO GOOD!!  and i will try to give credit where it is due...i don't always write the source down...i know...pathetic!!

so, let's open up the archives and dive in!

first up...a new favorite and practically a weekly dish here at our house...it is from the site ourbestbites.com which has become a new fave.  and i couldn't stop thinking about these the first night i made them, so i ate the last two as a midnight snack...seriously...pathetic!

...Crispy Coconut Chicken Tenders...

Crispy Coconut Chicken Tenders

Recipe by Our Best Bites and tweaked by Lara

12 chicken tenders (ya know, more or less...)

2 eggs

1/2 C flour

1 C sweetened coconut flakes

1 C panko bread crumbs

1 1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp table salt

1/2 tsp curry powder

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (you can leave this out if you want to skip the spice for the kiddos)

preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Give coconut a rough chop so it's about the same size as the panko pieces.

Combine it with Panko and spices in a shallow dish {I use pie plates}. Mix well to distribute all of the spices.

Place the flour in another shallow dish, and the egg in another. Give the egg a quick beating.

Working with one chicken tender at a time, dredge in flour...

then dip in egg...

And then finally coat in the coconut Panko mixture. Press in with your fingers to make sure the entire thing is well coated.

Place chicken tenders on a foil-lined baking sheet (for easy clean up!) that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. I give mine a teeny drizzle of olive oil on top to help them crisp nicely, but it's optional.

Bake in your 450 degree oven for about 20 minutes {mine are definitely done by 15} or until juices run clear. Try not to overcook them because chicken tenders go from perfect to overcooked really fast! If your tenders are on the small side, they could even be done in about 15 minutes so keep an eye on them. If they're big they can take more like 25. The coconut will be nice and golden and the panko crisp, but light in color still.

*the original recipe has some different spices, but i have tweaked ours so that we enjoy it.  i cut down on the curry and salt slightly so now it is just mouth watering!