Valentine's Suggestion #1: Chicken Parmesan

It's a thought, right? A single candle gracing your red and white checkered tablecloth, a bottle of red wine between you and something mood-enhancing cranking from the iPod - Sinatra, maybe? If a homemade Valentine's Day is in the cards this week, consider putting chicken parm on your short list.

I have to ask: When did we start calling it "chicken parm," anyway? I would blame Giada, but I'm not sure it was her. Was it Top Chef? Probably. It's always Top Chef.  

Chicken Parmesan 

4 boneless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 cup bread crumbs (Italian seasoned)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups mozzarella cheese
12 oz. tomato sauce
8 oz. tomato paste
2 tbs. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. seasoned salt

Whisk together the egg and milk. Combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dip the chicken breasts in the milk and egg mixture, and then dredge in the bread crumb and Parmesan mixture. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in the hot oil on both sides until golden, about 4 minutes on each side. Set chicken in a baking dish or casserole.

In a small mixing bowl, combine tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning and seasoned salt. Top each chicken breast with 1/4 cup of sauce and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Transfer to oven and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Save remaining sauce to serve with the baked chicken dish and cooked spaghetti noodles.

Happy V-Day to all! Time permitting, I will manage to make more than one suggestion this week.