Happy New Year!

What a great start to the new year we have had so far! Daniel and I spent a quiet, relaxing evening at home last night to ring in the new year. We had a crab dip for our appetizer, yummy wine and then cooked "surf and turf": Lobster tails, steak, green beans, and twice baked potatoes. It was very delish!!! For dessert we had cookies and ice cream...a favorite dessert of mine. We purchased our "joint" Christmas gift...a 54" plasma flat screen a couple days ago. Last night we had fun setting this up and watching the ball drop in NYC on our huge screen. We felt like we were right there with everyone...only in our comfy clothes, warm and without the crazy crowds!

I had to work today, then I worked out, then we went over to my parents for their traditional new years dinner. It was sooo yummy! My Mom had a ham, cooked spinach, black eyed peas, homemade biscuits, homemade mac n'cheese (healthier version for my sensitive stomach--thanks Mom!) and fresh fruit. For dessert we had her amazing homemade cookies. Yummmmoo!!!

Before I forget, I am posting a recipe below of a chicken dish I made Wednesday night. It is so yummy, healthy and easy. I highly recommend it! Keep in mind this recipe is for 3, so make sure to double if you need more servings.

Lemon-Apricot Chicken (Cooking for 3)

Super Chicken

Chicken contains vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine. Vitamin B6 is important for digesting proteins, plus it helps to keep hair and nerves healthy.

Substitution

Check your pantry! Peach or orange preserves can be substituted for the apricot preserves for an equally delicious dish.

How-To

You can use a meat mallet, rolling pin or even a wine bottle to flatten chicken breast halves. Just pound each breast down to 1/2-inch thickness. This helps the meat cook quickly and evenly.

prep time:20 min

start to finish:50 min

makes:3 servings

Chicken
2	tablespoons fat-free egg product or 1 egg white (I used one egg)
1	tablespoon water
1/2	cup Bisquick Heart Smart® mix (I used whole wheat pancake mix)
11/2	teaspoons grated lemon peel
1/8	teaspoon garlic powder
3	small chicken breasts (1/2 lb)
	Cooking spray
	Lemon slices, if desired
Lemon-Apricot Sauce
1/3	cup apricot preserves
1	tablespoon lemon juice
1/4	teaspoon soy sauce
1/8	teaspoon ground ginger

1.	Heat oven to 425°F. Spray 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In shallow dish, beat egg product and water slightly. In another shallow dish, stir together Bisquick® mix, lemon peel and garlic powder.
2.	Dip chicken into egg mixture, then coat with Bisquick mixture. Place in pan. Spray chicken with cooking spray.
3.	Bake uncovered 20 minutes. Turn; bake 10 minutes longer or until chicken is no longer pink in center.
4.	In small microwavable bowl, stir together all Lemon-Apricot Sauce ingredients. Microwave on High 1 minute; stir. Cut chicken crosswise into 1/2-inch slices. Pour sauce over chicken. Garnish with lemon slices.

I served this chicken over brown rice, and on the side we had broccoli and butternut squash. This meal was a hit! The recipe is from www.eatbetteramerica.com ---great web-site!

I hope that you have a very happy, healthy, fabulously fun New Year! Welcome 2010!!!!