Featured Co-Host – The Cooking Actress

I’m so excited to introduce to you, our very first Featured Co-Host for Momma’s Meals! Her name is Kayle Blogna and she is the Chef/Baker behind www.cookingactress.blogspot.com. Kayle is an aspiring actress who currently resides in NYC. Hey, I’m already saying when I see you in a movie I can say “I know that girl!! She loves to cook and act!! WOW!” Kayle started to enjoy cooking and baking from her grandmother when she was a little girl, once she moved to NYC to pursue her acting career she started to enjoy cooking/baking even more to maintain a healthy lifestyle with her boyfriend. Then her blog, The Cooking Actress was born.

Now I’m starting to see already as I start this new challenge on my site that this isn’t going to be easy because there are soooooooooooo many recipes to choose from, everyone’s pictures are better than mine and everything looks awesome! Check out some of Kayle’s recipes, from baked goodies to the yumminess of her chicken dishes. I chose the Chicken Parmesan Bake. I chose this one because it looked yummy and because I love easy casserole dishes I can make while my daughter naps. (If she naps!!) Here was this momma’s experience cooking Kayle’s recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 5-7 chicken breasts (I used 6 chicken cutlets)
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1/8 cup chopped basil
• 4 oz. (1/2 cup) Parmesan, grated
• 8 oz. (1 cup) mozzarella, shredded
• 1 (5 oz.) package of garlic croutons.

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a 9 x 13 dish, spread oil and garlic around to coat the bottom. I used my Pampered Chef Casserole dish, I don’t bring this baby out often, but lately, it’s making a regular appearance and I LOVE IT!! It’s beauteous! Heck I should use it more I paid $60 for this beautiful looking dish! I also confess that I used a lot of garlic, what can I say I love it! My hubby, not so much but he never said anything!

Lay chicken breasts in dish. Pour tomato sauce over chicken and spread it over evenly.

Sprinkle herbs, I also added a can of diced tomatoes at this point, it adds to the basil & oregano and all that goodness because it’s seasoned!

Add 1/2 the cheeses over the dish. Spread croutons evenly over the cheese.

Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top and bake for 35 minutes. Look at that cheesiness!!!

I contemplated serving it with pasta because well, it’s chicken parmesan! It’s actually even better than chicken parm! Then I thought of the added calories and decided to go with broccoli, I’m glad I did because the cheese and croutons were filling enough with the chicken and broccoli!

I also have to confess Kayle that my husband gobbled this up as leftovers last night when I was out with my mom. I asked him how it was leftover and he said just as good!!!! LOL He is the leftover king after all.

So don’t forget to go check out some of Kayle’s goodies at www.cookingactress.blogspot.com. Feel free to try this awesome recipe or any of her others and share some comment love with her. Kayle thank you so much for working with me and being our first Friday Featured Co-Host!!! Come back and visit every Friday!