"Pretzel Chicken" With A Toddler...

Sometimes cooking with a toddler can be a little tricky and at times just plain disasterous, but I have to admit tonight's recipe was actually fun. I recommend "pretzel chicken" (name created by munchkin) to anyone cooking with thier toddler, and who doesn't mind a bit of a mess. 

Here is the recipes adapted from sallysbakingaddiction.com...

"Pretzel Chicken"

1 lb. chicken breast

1/2 cup flour

2 eggs 

Thin pretzels 

Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Beat chicken breast to flatten, and then cut into "nuggets". 

Munchkin loved hitting the chicken (even though she didn't make much progress). 

Next, put the flour in one bowl with a little salt and pepper (I usually find it easiest to use shallow bowls). Fill the second bowl with your eggs. 

Okay, so by now I'm sure you're probably wondering why my two-year-old is wearing an apron with no shirt (or if you have a toddler you may not need to ask). Munchkin wants to do everything on her own, and "help" in any way she can; Therefore, when she saw that the dog bowl was empty she announced, "oh! Vienna needs water!"  Of course since I was just starting get dinner ingredients out I told her to go for it (she can usually get her own water in a cup out of the fridge door). The next thing I knew she was yelling and my kitchen floor was soaked. When she finally pulled the dog bowl away her shirt was also soaked, and thus, brings us to the reason why she is wearing an apron while topless. 

Anyway... Back to dinner.

This recipe called for "thin pretzels" and I found these garlic Parmesan ones that munchkin and I both enjoyed for a bit before we even started dinner. 

However, we eventually needed to get to work which meant these pretzels must be crushed. 

Lastly, we made a little assembly line and munchkin was at the beginning dunking the chicken chunks in flour, and then handing it to me to dip in the eggs, roll in the pretzels, and place on a greased pan.  (This is the messy part!)

Finally, our chicken was ready to go in the oven for about 15 minutes, and get flipped halfway through.  

Dad got home just in time to clean munchkin up, but not before she rubbed her entire upper body all over the remaining flour on the table. 

I thought they were pretty tasty, and along with our nuggets we had scalloped potatoes and homemade apple cider. 

Munchkin Approved!!

By the way... Don't be fooled by this grocery shopping angel. After about 10 minutes her actions become very devilish, and it is these actions that is making it almost impossible to take her with me right now. (Drama+ independence = my toddler)

Summer and Chicken Tacos

Yes, I realize summer is over, but I also just realized I didn't post this one. Just a little overview of our summer fun... 

Munchkin and I made chicken tacos (easy dinner). First, we sautéed bell peppers and onions in a little olive oil until they were cooked (onions were clear). 

After grilling the chicken (any kind you like) on the George Foreman we diced it up and threw it in with the peppers and onions.  

Munchkin help put everything in the skillet and stir...

And for toppings...

Cheese

Lettuce

We also grilled some fresh green beans (we like them grilled and a little crispy still). 

Munchkin still eats most of her food deconstructed (tacos would fall to pieces in her hands). She enjoyed sprinkling her own cheese, and she LOVES tortillas. 

When she saw our tacos she decided she wanted her own so she ripped off a little piece of tortilla, and folded some chicken into it before putting the whole thing in her mouth. She calls it a "baby taco". 

SUMMER!

Fun at the splash park...

It took her a while to get the nerve to run through the water, but once she made some friends who helped her along she loved it. 

Playing badminton with her uncles and cousins...

(She's the short one)

Dad and I took her to Youngs Dairy...

Piggies

Sittin on a tractor

Learning to putt

On the jumpy

We had a blast going to story time at the Tipp City Library this summer. They have a great program, instructor, and families. 

Munchkin loved the parachute!

Most mornings we walked around Duke park with Great Grandma and Grandpa (towards to end of the walk she always talked them into letting her escape her stroller). 

Tiny Tots Gym class

Dad and Munchkin at the Columbus Zoo

As you can tell we had an amazingly busy summer, and while it is hard to get back in the swing of our school year routine at least we have great memories. 

Life has been pretty busy since school started. Hopefully things will calm down soon and I can write more.