Zaycon Foods Chicken Event

We recently purchased 40 pounds of fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts from Zaycon Foods. We were able to purchase the chicken for $1.89/lb. The lowest price I typically see boneless skinless chicken breasts at Meijer is $1.85/lb, so this was a stock up price for us.

(I'm not going to go into a lot of detail about Zaycon Foods, but you can visit their website here for more information on the company and how it works.)

Here is step-by-step how this worked for us:

1) I went to the Zaycon Foods website and created an account. Based on my city, I chose an event I wanted to participate in, in this case, the chicken event. I chose how many cases of chicken I wanted (the chicken was sold in 40 pound cases). I paid for the chicken online.

2) A few months later, the Zaycon Foods truck came to our city and I drove to it to pick up the chicken. I gave the driver my name, he checked me off his list, and loaded the case of chicken into my truck (on top of a plastic bag, in case the juices leaked!) Here is our case of chicken:

3) When I got home, I began to prep to freeze the chicken. The chicken came in 4 bags inside the box. If I froze it like that, I would end up with a big block of chicken frozen together. I needed to separate them into freezer ziploc bags. Here is my set up for freezer prep:

4) I separated the butterflied chicken breasts and trimmed the fat:

5) Once the chicken breasts were prepped to my liking, I put them into gallon Ziploc freezer bags. I chose to put 4 in each bag because I don't typically ever need more than 4 for a single meal. I ended up with 9 bags of full chicken breasts, plus 1 bag of smaller pieces that I trimmed off.

I chose to freeze all 40 pounds of our chicken, however I have heard people that freeze some, cook some right away, or prep it for other meals, like shredding.

I would definitely do this again! Let me know if you have any questions about Zaycon Foods or our experience.

What's Cooking: Braided Pizza Bread

We are a pizza-loving household and this meal did not disappoint! This recipe does use a bread machine. The braiding part is a little tricky without seeing it, so enjoy my illustrations! :)

Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups water
-  3 Tablespoons canola oil
- 4 cups flour
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast

- pizza ingredients/toppings (we used  for ours)

Cooking Directions:
1. Add all ingredients to bread machine and set to the "dough" setting. I have a Betty Crocker Bake-It-Easy Bread Maker and the dough setting takes an hour and a half, so plan ahead.
2. After it is done, take the dough out and divide it in two. Flour the surface you are working on (the dough is rather sticky). Roll each half into a rectangle, keeping it about 1/2 inch thick.
3. Add your pizza toppings in the middle of the dough. We used pepperoni, sauce, and mozzarella cheese.

 
4. Create 1 inch wide strips on the top and bottom of the rectangle around the toppings.

5. Braid the dough. Start at one end and lay the end strip diagonally over the toppings. Then take the opposite one and lay it diagonally. Keep going until all the strips are layered. When you get to the end, just tuck the dough strips underneath.

6. Place the loaves on a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown. Allow the loaves to cool a little bit before cutting into slices.

We plan to try this recipe again but with ham and cheese instead of pizza toppings.

Source: www.bargainstobounty.com

What's Cooking: Pizza Stuffed Chicken

This recipe is good to get that pizza taste without the carbs from the crust. I recommend lining your baking sheet with some tin foil because the melted cheese can get messy!

Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts, pounded thin

- mozzarella cheese

- pizza sauce or pasta sauce

- pizza toppings (we used pepperoni for ours)

Cooking Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Mix some mozzarella cheese, pizza/pasta sauce, and pizza ingredients in a bowl. I say "some" because you may like more cheese or more sauce in your filling. Also, make sure your pizza ingredients are cut down to a size that can fit inside your chicken breasts.

3. Spread mixture out evenly over chicken breasts.

4. Roll the chicken breasts and place them seam down on a baking sheet.

5. Put more sauce on the top of the chicken breasts. You could also put more pizza toppings on top, like pepperonis.

6. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is done. I added some mozzarella cheese after 25 minutes and put the chicken breasts back in for 5 minutes to melt the cheese on top.

Source: www.dashingdish.com

What's Cooking: Chicken Pot Pie Puffs

 

A different spin on this classic comfort food. Easy and quick to make.

Ingredients:
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed

- 1 cup diced cooked chicken

- 1 can (10 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup

- 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated biscuits

Cooking Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Combine thawed vegetables, cooked chicken, and soup in a bowl and mix well.
3. Flatten each biscuit with a rolling pin into 5-inch rounds.

4. Put the flattened biscuits in the cups of a greased regular-size muffin pan (you will have some empty cups). Press the bottom and sides of the biscuits to be flush with the sides of the muffin cup, letting at least 1/2 inch to overflow above the rim.

5. Put a generous amount of the chicken mixture (about 1/3 cup) in each biscuit cup.

6. Pull the edges of each biscuit to the center and pinch to seal the biscuit shut.

7. Bake for 20 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Cool 1 minute and remove from pan.

Source: www.pillsbury.com

What's Cooking: Homemade Pizza

Friday night is pizza night! This was my first attempt at homemade dough and yeast. Turned out pretty good!

Ingredients:


- 2-1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 envelope Fleischmann's® RapidRise Yeast
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup very warm water
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- Cooking spray
- Cornmeal
- Pizza toppings

Cooking Directions:
1. Combine 2 cups flour, yeast, and salt.
2. Stir in very warm water and cooking oil.
3. Stir in more flour to make a soft dough.
4. Knead (fold, push, turn) dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic (4-6 minutes).
5. Cover dough with a cloth and let it rest on the floured surface for about 15 minutes.
6. Spray cooking spray on a large pizza pan and sprinkle with cornmeal.
7. Flatten dough with a rolling pin to fit your pizza pan.
8. Bake dough in a preheated 400^oF oven for 10 minutes.
9. Remove from oven and add toppings.
10. Return pizza to oven for 10 to 20 minutes or until done.

We used a 15 oz can of Muir Glen Organic Pizza Sauce and found it to be waaaay too much sauce for one pizza. We also topped our pizza with some shredded mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and more mozzarella cheese.


Here is a helpful video to see how the dough should look:

Source: www.breadworld.com

What's Cooking: BBQ Pulled Pork

A favorite in our household. You can put the whole bottle of BBQ sauce in after you remove the liquid, but we prefer to add some then and put more on right before we eat it. Serve as a sandwich or eat plain.

Ingredients:
- 1 Center Cut Boneless Pork Loin
- 1 bottle BBQ Sauce

Cooking Directions:
1. Place pork in a crock pot.
2. Cover and set to high for 6 hours.
3. Remove pork and transfer to a large dish. Reserve all the liquid into a separate dish and set aside.
4. Shred the pork with two forks and put it back into the crock pot along with a little bit of the reserved liquid and some BBQ sauce.
5. Cook on high one more hour.

Source: www.skinnytaste.com

What's Cooking: Candied Carrots

Ingredients:
1 pound carrots

2 tablespoons butter 
1/4 cup packed brown sugar 
1 pinch salt

1 pinch ground black pepper

Directions: 

1. Place carrots in a pot of salted water. Bring water to a boil, reduce heat to a high simmer and cook about 20 to 30 minutes, but not until they are mush.

2. Drain the carrots, reduce the heat to its lowest possible setting and return the carrots to the pan. Stir in butter, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Cook for about 3 to 5 minutes, until sugar is bubbly.

What's Cooking: Sweet & Sour Chicken

Tastes similar to General Tso's Chicken. Serve plain or over rice.

Ingredients: 

  Chicken: 

    - 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

    - Salt and pepper

    - 1 cup cornstarch

    - 2 large eggs, beaten

    - 1/4 cup canola oil 

  Sauce:

    - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
    - 4 tablespoons ketchup
    - 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
    - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
    - 1 teaspoon garlic salt

Cooking Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. While the oil is heating, cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Place the cornstarch in a gallon-sized ziploc bag. Put the chicken into the bag with the cornstarch and seal, tossing to coat the chicken.
4. Whisk the eggs together in a shallow pie plate. Dip the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces in the egg and place them carefully in a single layer in the hot skillet.
5. Cook for 1-2 minutes and then flip each piece over to cook on the other side until nicely golden but not all the way cooked through. Place in a single layer in a baking dish and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
6. Mix the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl and pour over the chicken in the baking dish. Bake for one hour, turning the chicken once or twice while cooking to coat evenly with sauce.

Source: www.melskitchencafe.com

What's Cooking: Baked Chicken Parmesan

A healthier spin on an Italian favorite. Serve plain or over pasta.

Ingredients:
- 4 (about 8 oz each) chicken breast, fat trimmed, sliced in half to make 8
- 3/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoon butter, melted
- 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup pasta sauce
- cooking spray

Cooking Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450°. Spray a large baking sheet lightly with cooking spray.
2. Combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Melt the butter in another bowl. Lightly brush the butter onto the chicken, then dip into breadcrumb mixture. Place on baking sheet and repeat with the remaining chicken.
3. Lightly spray a little more cooking spray on top and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Turn chicken over, bake another 5 minutes.
4. Remove from oven, spoon 1 tablespoon sauce over each piece of chicken and top each with 1 1/2 tablespoon of shredded mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake 5 more minutes or until cheese is melted.

Source: www.skinnytaste.com

What's Cooking: Not So Evil Deviled Eggs

I used yogurt instead of cottage cheese. I also didn't have any pickle relish so I chopped up a small sweet pickle.

Ingredients:
- 12 eggs
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese (or you could use plain greek yogurt)
- 2 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard (you could also use dijon)
- 3 tablespoon light Miracle Whip (or light mayonnaise)
- Salt, Pepper, and Splenda (or stevia) to taste
*Optional: Paprika (adds the pretty ‘red spice’ to the eggs), or chopped parsley (for green color)
*Variations: Add finely chopped chives, red pepper, or celery for a healthy crunch


Cooking Directions:
1. Place your eggs into a saucepan. Add enough cool water to cover the eggs by at least 3 inches. Put the pot on a burner and set the temperature at high. When the water boils, lower the temp to med-high, and let the egg be in boiling water for 10 minutes. Turn off burner. Let eggs sit in hot water for 2 minutes.
2. After the eggs have sat in the hot water for 2 minutes, using tongs, carefully place the eggs one at a time into a bowl filled with ice water (or run the eggs under cold water continuously for about 2 minutes).
3. Peel the eggs and slice them in half lengthwise. With a small spoon, carefully remove the yolks, reserving 6 yolks for another use.
4. In a blender, puree the cottage cheese until smooth. (If you are using yogurt, skip this step!)
5. In a medium bowl, mix the remaining 6 egg yolks with the cottage cheese mixture, Miracle Whip, relish, mustard, and seasonings to taste.
6. Spoon the mixture into the hollowed-out egg whites. Arrange the eggs on a platter and sprinkle with paprika.
7. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Refrigerate leftovers.

Source: www.dashingdish.com

What's Cooking: Zucchini Chips

I am not a big fan of zucchini, but I wanted to try this recipe out for a healthier snack alternative. I found they are best when warm.

Ingredients:
- 2 large zucchini, sliced into 1/4 inch disks
- 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs (I like Panko, but you could make your own ‘fiber one’ breadcrumbs or use whatever type of bread crumbs you like)
- 1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese (or grated asiago cheese)
- 2 egg whites
- 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
*Optional season variations: 1/4 teaspoon of any of the following: dried onion powder, oregano, Mrs.Dash seasoning, Cajun seasoning, Stevia, parsley, or basil

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper (or foil will work, but parchment paper works best), and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Wash zucchini and slice into 1/4 inch slices.
3. Mix the bread crumbs, Parmesan and seasoning in one bowl. Place the egg whites in another bowl.
4. Dip zucchini slices in the egg whites, followed by the breadcrumb mixture, coating them evenly.
5. Spread zucchini out on in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast 7 minutes. Turn zucchini over. Roast another 7-8 minutes, or until coating is crispy and golden brown. Serve immediately.
Sorry, no freezing instructions.

Servings: 4 (One Serving ~ About 1 Cup)
Calories: 60 Per Serving

Source: www.dashingdish.com

What's Cooking: "Baked" Apple Crisp for Two

This is a perfect portion without having to make an entire pan! It's so easy to make.

Ingredients:
- 2 medium apples, of your choice, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 tablespoon light/whipped butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon stevia/splenda/low cal sweetener of choice, or more depending on desired sweetness and tartness of apples)
- 1/3 cup quick oats
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon all spice
- optional: 4 tablespoon light whipped topping

Cooking Directions:
- Arrange the apple slices along the bottom of a microwave safe dish and set aside.
- In small bowl, stir together the remaining ingredients until crumbly (everything except for the whipped topping of course!).
- Sprinkle the crumble over apples.
- Cover the bowl with a microwave safe cover, (saran wrap pierced with a fork a few times will do), and microwave for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the apples are soft and can be easily pierced with a knife.
- Serve warm, with 2 tablespoons of light whipped topping with each serving if desired!

Sorry, no freezing instructions. When you smell it, you won't want to freeze it anyways!

160 calories per serving

For a crispier topping, you could make this exact recipe in the oven! Simply bake the apple crisp in a 8×8 baking dish at 375 for 35-40 min or until apples are soft, and the topping is lightly browned.

Source: www.dashingdish.com

What's Cooking: Skinny Pizza Rolls

Pizza rolls are so tasty, but so bad for you! I was excited to find this recipe for a healthier version...and they taste GOOD!

Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce or tomato sauce
- 20 pepperonis (turkey pepperonis are healthier)
- 24 wonton wrappers
- 1/8 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon basil/oregano mix or Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- pinch of sweetener such as sugar
- pinch of black pepper
- Optional: 1/3 cup chicken breast, diced or 1/3 cup light Italian sausage

Cooking Directions:
- Preheat oven to 450ºF. Prepare a large baking sheet with parchment paper, or foil coated with non-stick cooking spray. Gather ingredients.
- Combine pizza sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, seasoning and chicken, or sausage in a bowl. Stir until combined.
- Begin filling wonton wrappers by placing about a tablespoon of filling in the center of each wrapper. You could use a little more or less, just try not to over-fill them, or the filling will ooze out the sides when you are baking them.
- To seal them shut, place your finger in water, trace two of the corners with the water, and fold the wrapper in half to meet the two dry corners with the two wet corners. Press to seal the two sides together. (Note: the water acts like glue to seal the corners shut.)
- When wonton wrappers are filled, give them a light spray with nonstick cooking spray and sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top of each one. Lay pizza rolls out on prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven (450ºF) for 10-15 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden brown. Serve or freeze.

Freezing Instructions:
 Cool completely and store in freezer bags. To serve: Warm in microwave or oven until heated through.

Source: www.dashingdish.com

What's Cooking: French Toast Sticks

One of my favorite breakfast foods is french toast.

We have nonstick baking sheets, so I did not spray the pan and my french toast sticks stuck to the pan! I sprayed the next batch and that seemed to work much better. You could also add 1/2 cup vegetable puree (sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, or acorn squash is recommended) to make these a little healthier.

Ingredients:
- 1 loaf of bread
- 1/2 cup of butter, melted
- 8 eggs
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 1 1/3 cup of milk
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cooking Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice bread slices into thirds. In a large bowl mix all ingredients except sliced bread. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray. Dip bread pieces, one by one, in the batter until coated and then place on the cookie sheet. Bake for 30 minutes turning over half-way through to ensure even cooking on both sides. When done, remove to cooling rack. Serve or freeze.

Freezing Instructions:
Allow to cool on cooling rack completely or place on a cool cookie sheet and place in freezer for 10-15 minutes or until partially frozen (flash freezing). Place in Ziploc freezer bag and place in freezer until ready to use. To serve: microwave 30-45 seconds.

Source: www.onceamonthmom.com

What's Cooking: Waldorf Chicken Salad Sandwiches

So yummy! I made mine with mayonnaise and no onions.

Ingredients:
- 1 Large chicken breast
- 1 Red apple, cut into small squares
- About a half a cup of chopped celery
- A large handful of red grapes- each grape sliced in half
- About half of a red onion, finely chopped
- A handful of chopped walnuts or pecans
- About 1/2 cup of low fat plain yogurt or mayonnaise
- Salt, pepper
- Bread

Cooking Directions:
Boil the chicken until fully cooked. Let it cool somewhat, then chop into small pieces. Add all ingredients into a large bowl and stir.

Freezing Instructions:
Place individual portions of salad into quart-size freezer bags. Label and freeze. To serve: Thaw in refrigerator. Serve chilled.

Source: www.healthyfortwo.com