I am now in my last 'official' week of pregnancy. Yesterday marked week #39.
While I would love to say, "We’re ready", I have the sneaky suspicion that you never really are. I don’t think you can ever be fully prepared for something so life-altering. For the last few weeks I haven't worked at my job anymore, so, I've picked up the pace at home. I am constantly cooking or baking something. It’s good to stay busy, right? I am thinking so!
Not only because I am always hungry, but, in an attempt to get ready. Easier said than done, right?
Although I have never had a baby before, I have a feeling (that is confirmed by more experienced voices) that looking after a newborn is pretty much all-consuming in the first few weeks. But, we’re “ready,” right?
In hopes to keep things going on this blog I am trying to prepare and schedule new recipes ahead of time for those weeks. On top of that, I am slowly but surely stocking our freezer with meals for that time as well.
So, when it comes to dinner prep these days I always make a large batch with lots of extra servings. This is not really out of the ordinary for us, but, while we usually would eat the leftovers boxed as lunches or even for dinner again throughout the week, now they are carefully wrapped and labeled and neatly stored in the freezer.... ughh I wish! If only, right!
I don't have much experience freezing cooked meals and we don't have a lot of room in our freezer. So, the first few meals were frozen without labels (not sure what I was thinking - 'surprise dinner' maybe?) and whenever we want to add or remove something from the freezer right now, it is like playing Jenga!
Another thing that's currently going on in my kitchen (aside from blog baking and freezer cooking) is trying out new (blogger) recipes - a lot! I don't know if I just have too much time on my hands these days or maybe more creative energy, but I am finally making things I have been drooling over on other blogs for a long time.
For example, today's stuffed chicken roll ups! Lindsay from Pinch of Yum posted them pretty much exactly 1 year ago and finally they were happening in my kitchen and my mouth! As per usual I had to add my own spin on these somewhat involved but oh-so-worth-it chicken rolls.
Just by looking at the pictures, my mouth is watering! Wow, they look good,don’t they? I think they look just as good in the pictures as they taste in your mouth! What’s better than food that looks good and tastes good?
If you gave this recipe a try, I would love to hear your feedback! What did you think, and did you try anything unique in your kitchen? I would love to see your pictures, too! My message box is always open!
Recipe
Caprese Chicken Roll Ups
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts 3-5 pieces, cut each in half lengthwise
- 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 6 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese divided
- 5 ounces fresh baby spinach chopped
- 1 clove garlic finely chopped
- olive oil
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ⅓ cup beaten egg whites
- 4-6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- fresh basil for topping
- fresh tomato as many slices as chicken roll ups
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Depending on their size you will end up with 6-10 pieces. Pound each piece with a kitchen mallet to make even thinner. Combine bread crumbs with 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese and place in a shallow bowl.
- Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a pan and saute chopped spinach with garlic until just starting to wilt. Stir in ricotta, parmesan and 2 tablespoons of the egg whites. Place remaining egg whites in a shallow bowl.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and oil the bottom of a large baking dish. Start an assembly line. Place a spoonful of the spinach filling in the middle of a chicken piece and roll up. Dip the entire chicken roll up in egg whites, then roll in the bread crumbs and place seam-side down in the baking dish. Repeat with remaining chicken pieces and bake for 25 minutes.
- After 25 minutes, top each chicken roll up with tomato sauce and a slice of mozzarella cheese. Bake for 3-5 minutes until cheese just starts melting. Top with fresh tomato slices and fresh basil leaves and/or ribbons.
Pin Caprese Chicken Roll Ups recipe for later?
Recipe adapted from Pinch of Yum
I really hope you get to make these and sooner than 1 year from now 🙂
Random Questions
Chicken roll-ups typically consist of chicken breasts flattened and rolled with various fillings, such as cheese, vegetables, or herbs.
The cooking time for chicken roll-ups can vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken. Generally, it takes around 25-30 minutes at the recommended temperature for the chicken to cook thoroughly.
Rolling chicken in cling film is a common technique to help keep the roll together and maintain its shape during cooking. Lay the cling film flat, place the chicken on top, add the desired filling, and carefully roll it up, using the cling film to guide the process and secure the roll.
The calorie count for chicken roll-ups can vary based on the ingredients and serving size. The total calories typically depend on the specific recipe, the type and amount of fillings, as well as any additional sauces or sides served with it.
Jacquee @ I Sugar Coat It!
Drool-worthy photos make it very difficult to not want to try these, but I am on strike from my oven, so I'll just live vicariously for now and continue salivating here. Mmmmm...basil!
Regina
This week it finally is too warm for baking here in Calgary too. Not that I have any intentions of the like anyway these days 😉
Faith @ Pixie Dust Kitchen
Good luck with the new baby! I am so excited for you and will be sending good thoughts and prayers your way. These look awesome- and I think i'll have to be trying them sometime soon myself!
Regina
Thank you so much Faith! Appreciate your thoughts and prayers a TON! We are still waiting but I feel I am as ready as I can be 🙂