Chicken Parmesan Meatballs Recipe

It's ONE WEEK until Christmas, can you believe it??? I can't!
My early present to you is 
this
 spectacular recipe, as promised!

I found this gem...where else?...on Pinterest, and decided to make it for MG for his birthday when he got back from out of the country.

(Technically, mine are turkey parm since I used ground turkey, but who's judging?)

What You Need:

-1 lb ground chicken (or turkey)

-1 cup Panko bread crumbs

-1/2 cup white onion, chopped (about half an onion)

-1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped (about 1/2 of the pepper)

1/2 Cup Parmesan cheese (I used the shredded kind)

-1 egg

-1 Tablespoon oregano

-6 fresh basil leaves, torn or cut

-2 cloves of garlic, minced (or 1 tsp minced garlic from jar)

-about 2 cups of marinara sauce (or your fav sauce)

-1 Tablespoon olive oil

-pinch of salt and pepper

-mozzarella cheese cubes (enough for each meatball)

What You Do:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Do this after everything is already cut up and ready to be mixed (I used a chopper for the onion and the red bell peppers to get them really small so the meatballs wouldn't have big chunks in them which helped a lot. I also used herb scissors to cut the basil leaves into tiny pieces).

2. In a small bowl, mix the Panko bread crumbs, half of the cheese (1/4 cup) and the olive oil. Mix together with your hands until evenly coated. Set aside.

this is not the "well mixed" version.

3. In a large bowl, lightly beat the egg, then add in all ingredients except for the sauce and the mozzarella cubes (ground chicken, onion, red bell pepper, remaining Parmesan cheese, basil, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper). Mix with your hands to combine.

4. Lightly coat a muffin pan with non-stick spray. Put a couple of tablespoons full of the meat mixture into each well of the muffin tin. Add in a cube of mozzarella to each one and cover the cheese over with the meat (should look like the first picture when you're done, but the cheese is now inside).

5. Add the Panko topping to each meatball, gently pressing the mixture into the meatballs.

6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the Panko topping is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. (Mine took about 27 minutes).

7. While the meatballs are baking, warm your sauce in a sauce pan over the stove.

8. When the meatballs are done, let them sit for about 5 minutes. Use a knife to loosen each meatball from the pan.

9. When you're ready, add some of the sauce to the bottom of a plate or serving dish, place the meatballs on top, and enjoy!

The original recipe says it makes 16 meatballs. Her muffin tin may have been smaller than mine because this only made 12 for me. But, there was plenty for leftovers and the leftovers were even better than the night of, I think!

{Check out some of the other things I've been cooking, here}

Product Review: Keysocks (Last Minute Xmas gift idea!!)

*this review is based solely on my own experience with this product, purchased by myself with my own money. I was not given anything in exchange for this review*

Have you seen these funny looking socks on Pinterest? 

{via}

They're called Keysocks, and I had seen them a while back, pinned them, and then kind of forgot about them, until I saw them again when I was perusing Pinterest. They were on someone's blog as a review, so I read it, and because the review was such a raving one, I decided to bite the bullet and try out a pair. One pair is $11.95.

Well, when I went to the site, there was a deal that if you bought 3, you got a 4th one for free (a pack of 4 for $35.85 and FREE SHIPPING). Since I'm participating in a Secret Santa with MG's family, and I have one of his sister's for my person, I thought this could be a cute and practical gift if they turned out nice (along with something else, of course, because socks aren't really a fun gift). So I got a 4 pack (2 black and 2 nude; but you can get any combination you want practically).

Ladies, let me tell you, these socks are awesome! I hate wearing flats in the winter because my feet get so cold. And I have the little footy things that are made out of pantyhose material, but those only help your shoes not stink--they don't do anything for warmth. And, let's be honest, when they peak out of your shoe, they look hideous.

Left: shoes, wearing the nude keysocks; Right: shoes, wearing the black keysocks

Keysocks DON'T show in any flat that I have worn them with, and your toes/feet feel WARM. Also, they go up the length of your calf, so your legs get a little extra layer of warmth during the cold season, too (I realized this when I wasn't wearing them last night and my legs were cold in just jeans). They aren't too tight or too loose-they fit perfectly. They also have sizes for thicker calves as well.

I'm totally in love with them, and now I kind of don't want to give one of my pairs away, BUT I will because an awesome find makes an awesome gift. I highly recommend you getting at least one pair to try out....I'm SUPER glad I got the 4 pack, so I can do away with those stupid footy pantyhose thingies, wear cute flats, and have warm feet! Win-win-win!!!

One of my coworkers actually noticed them when I was sitting in a meeting with her (you can see them when your pant legs go up a little bit when you're wearing skinny jeans and you're sitting) and said she'd never seen socks like that, and then asked me where she could get them because she hates the panty hose ones, too!

If you're looking for a stocking stuffer (ha...get it...stockings? socks? Ok, I'll stop...), go get  a pair or set of these! I don't think you'll be disappointed!

{check out some of my other product reviews here}

Blogmopolitan Quiz

You've probably seen these floating around the last week or so, and I thought it was a fun idea that Erin had, so I hopped on the bandwagon.

You might have trouble reading a few of them, like The meaning behind my blog: it was focused around my long distance relationship (LDR), but now it's just about life and the future since that break-up.

"I know it's weird but..." my answer is: I cant' stand bananas. Their consistency grosses me out"

Hope that helps, and I hope you enjoyed getting to know a few things about me!

Weekend Happenings

This weekend was super busy but also super fun!

Friday afternoon our couch set arrived! 

We're more and more pleased with them as the weekend went on.

We've already placed an order for a bigger ottoman, which will be coming in about a week! And an end table that's coming on Wednesday :)

Friday night MG and I made our way to my coworker's housewarming/holiday party. It was super nice to hang out with and talk (for more than a passing few minutes) with my coworkers, and meet some new people. Remember how I said the hostess had mentioned that there were 4 Christmas trees in her house? Yeah...she had 5!  Their house was amazing. I'm sad I didnt take any pictures...I was too busy socializing (bad me).

Saturday MG and I went shopping for presents (and I had to return some things to Loft). We ended up getting MG a nice new blue suit that he had wanted for his birthday (from his dad). He actually was able to buy the suit right then and there, with no need for alterations, because it fit perfectly.

Then we made our way through Macys where I found my wedding earrings:

They are exactly what I've been looking for, and I think they will be perfect to add some bling, but not take away from my dress, etc.

MG wanted to head into Brookstone, which is always trouble. He was looking at a back massager that he had told his parents we were interested in getting, and I discovered the best thing in the history of ever. A foot massager that is AMAZING. Once MG tried it, it was all over, and all of a sudden we had another "gift to each other" to add to our list (wedding bands, the couches...now a foot massager). It is the most amazing massager ever!

Saturday night, after our shopping trip, we went to my school's holiday party. It was nice to get to know my new principal (she started right after Thanksgiving) and to talk to some of the coworkers that weren't at the party the night before. MG made fast friends with one of my coworker's (who I really like) husband. Again, it was a night filled with so much socializing that I didn't take any pictures. You can slap my wrists again....

....ow!....ok I promise I'll do better in the future!

Anyway, the night was a lot of fun and we came back home, relaxed for a bit, and then went to bed. Sunday we ran errands, MG went to watch the football games with his friends and I took care of getting our response card envelopes printed. Next up: invitation envelopes! (I swear these are going to be done, and MAYBE stuffed, before Christmas!)

And now it's 5 days left of work until Winter Break! Let the countdown begin!

I hope your weekend was fun-filled!

   

5 on Friday

It's Friday (the 13th--eek!), which seemed to get here SUPER fast, but I think that had something to do with 2 snow days and a 2 hour delay earlier this week. I've been really disoriented with what the date actually is all week #snowdayteacherproblems. I know you don't feel bad for me. It's ok, I wasn't looking for sympathy :) 

I'm glad it's Friday though, because there's so much fun stuff going on lately and coming up that I'm looking forward to! So, let's get to my 5!

{1}-Condo Complex Holiday Dinner

I was actually a good blogger for once & took a pic haha

Our condo complex hosts an amazing holiday dinner every year. There's yummy appetizers, dinner food items, dessert and adult (and kid) bevvies. It's a super fun time to meet neighbors, hang out with ones you know, and enjoy the holiday cheer. And the clubhouse is decked out in holiday gear complete with a tree, which makes it that much more fun. It actually happened last night and it was just as fun as always (this is my 3rd year going).  (Of course, MG's friend--and I use the term loosely-- from the wedding drama couple had to comment via a text that the holiday party is "lame" and full of "losers"....way to take something nice and ruin it with your piss poor outlook on things...). We had a nice time and I love that our complex does this every year!

{2}-Housewarming

Tonight my coworker and her husband are hosting a housewarming and holiday party at their house and MG and I are going! It'll be nice to spend some time with my coworkers not at work, see the new house (that I'm sure I'll be envious of), and enjoy the holiday cheer with them. Plus, the hostess posted on Facebook that she has not 1, not 2, but FOUR Christmas trees up in her house. I can't imagine that they are all full-sized but you never know. Definitely looking forward to tonight!

{via}

{3}-Work Holiday Party

This weekend will be filled with lots of time with my coworkers, since Saturday night is our work holiday party. It's at the same place as last year, which was a lot of fun. It'll be nice that MG knows some people this year as opposed to last year (not that that has EVER been a problem for him), and that we don't have to leave early this year for a birthday party like we did last year.

MORE time with the coworkers outside of school. Love it!!

{4}-Couches

Our new couch set is coming today and we sold our old set yesterday to a nice guy who'd just bought a house in the area--I was glad that he actually came because we had someone who was supposed to come buy them and take them on Wednesday and then he never showed up and never called. Luckily yesterday worked out and we won't have a small furniture showroom in our place when the new set arrives. I can't wait to see the new couches in the living room and find a cute ottoman and end table to go with!

{5} Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Made them Wednesday night and they were a HUGE success. Recipe is coming next week, but for now I'm gonna tease you with this pic:

Happy Friday! Hope your weekend is fun-filled and/or relaxing! Get your holiday shopping done!!! :)

Holiday Cheer

Now that MG is back, I feel like I can really start getting behind the holidays and looking forward to them (holidays are best shared with those you love, right?)

 I haven't fully participated in this "link up," but I've wanted to, so I'm going to pack this post with all kinds of things that can bring holiday cheer! (many of which are crafts, but who doesn't love a good craft? At least to pretend that you're going to do/make it anyway...much like myself!) Anyway....

Are you ready?

Who doesn't love a cute little gnome decoration? I love their tall hats! 

How about some cute Santa cupcakes? I could see these being a hit at a party,
especially with kids!

A cute, low-key casual holiday-esque outfit. I love the bright red!

Ribbon and beads, make these cute little trees (hey, that rhymed!)
I could see these being attached to presents or being hung from a tree

If you're like me, there are definitely several wine bottles being brought out
during this time of year for all of the celebrations...
why not make a cute Santa craft out of some? Love this idea!

Celebrate the holidays, AND make your tummy happy!
What a cute cupcake wreath! LOVE this idea, too!

I think these ornaments are adorable! Would be such a cute idea to have kid thumbprints for the reindeer as they get older! Santa ornament is super cute!

And now for some extra cuteness...

Dress up your dog like Rudolph! SO flippin' cute!!

And last but not least, a post like this would not be nearly as fun without a funny in it. So I give you this:

SO so so so cute!

 That's all I've got for today.

Yay holiday cheer!!

Oh, and to add to my general cheer.....today marks 4 MONTHS until our wedding!! Eeek! :)

Hey now, hey now, my {fiance's} back! and Wedding Wednesday

(Is the "My boyfriend's back" song stuck in your head now??)

I'm excited for today!! I'm not sure if you all have noticed, but MG has been kind of absent from my blog post happenings the last week plus, and that's because he was out of the country for work for about 10 days. He left on his birthday (boo!) and will be getting back this morning. Which means, come this afternoon, I'll be getting to see my main squeeze again!

So, altho we had 2 snow days, they weren't nearly as fun as if I had had my partner in crime to spend it with (but this also probably explains why I read a 500+ page book in 3 days). Luckily Cooper is always more than willing to step in for cuddles!

Tonight, though, I'm planning on making a special dinner for MG for his birthday since we didn't get to do anything special that day (other than say good-bye which wasn't fun).

A couple of weeks ago, MG had mentioned trying to make meatballs for a meal at some point--and being the good listener that I am, I looked into some recipes for just that. I'm planning on making chicken parmesan meatballs and I hope they turn out alright! (If so, I'll definitely post the recipe for you all to try, too).

~.~.~.~

I have a wedding planning update, too. MG had gotten our limo transportation arranged during the furlough and we had gotten a really decent deal on the wedding day transport, as well as transportation to the airport that Monday, but in the weeks following the conversation, MG's credit card was never charged. He reached out to the company several times, and no response.

{via}

So while MG was away, I took it upon myself to email the company to ask "what's up??" and I got a response that basically went like this:

"We didn't charge his card because we are in the process of selling the vehicle that he had requested and we aren't sure if we are going to get one to replace it"

Soooooo, what you're telling me is that you didn't think it was important to mention to someone who's looking to book your vehicle and services that you are selling this car?? Perhaps that might have come to mind when he gave you his credit card information for our deposit?? And then you didn't think to inform him later on when he was inquiring about what was going on with our reservation? The company obviously knew that this was the case when MG was trying to book it, because the owner said that that was why he didn't charge him right away. I don't understand some people and how they run their businesses. I see a Yelp and WeddingWire review in my near future.....

Luckily the coordinator at my reception site gave me a good recommendation when I told her about this on Friday and we're actually getting an even better price from her person than from the original company anyway. (Take that, Titan Limo!)

I'm hoping that the fiasco with our cake, my make up artist having to cancel because her daughter ended up getting engaged and scheduling her wedding for the same date as mine, and this limo stuff aren't signs of things to come....really really hoping! Happy that they've all been relatively easy fixes so far, though.