Zaycon Foods Boneless Chicken Review

 My family eats a lot of boneless chicken breast.  I normally purchase it on sale for $1.99 at either Kroger, Martin's, Costco, or Sams; however, once I get it home sometimes it is a gamble as to the quality of the chicken and what I can't see in the package.  Back in the summer I saw a review for Zaycon Foods in a magazine and since I love to save money and buy quality products, I was very interested in checking the company out.   After researching online, I decided to make my first purchase and I bought 40 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast for $1.84 lb.  The 40 lb box was $73.60.  I went online to www.zayconfoods.com and looked for upcoming events, near where I live and found one about 20 miles away. They deliver to areas several times a year and you can buy fresh chicken in 40 pound boxes.  Once I placed my order and paid online, all I had to do was go pick it up at the scheduled time and place.  They did need to delay it one day, but informed me of the change ahead of time.  I went to a church parking lot and picked up my box. They put a large piece of plastic in the back of my svu and put the box, pictured below in the back for me.  The chicken was cold, from the refridgerated truck and I could tell it had not been frozen.

 When I got home I opened up the box and found a sealed bag.  I cut the bag open and found several bags inside. 

 I pulled the first 2 chicken breasts out one of the bags and was very pleased to see how big the breasts were and how good they looked with minimal fat.  Trimming them and repackaging into meal portion bags went quickly, since there wasn't much to trim away.  In fact, I ended up with less than 2 pounds of fat and skin from the entire box, much less than I would normally end up with from the store brands.

 While we were repackaging the breast, we cut several up and grilled them for dinner and leftovers.  They were delicious.  I am very happy with ease of the transaction, the quality of the chicken breast, and the overall taste.  Each breast was approx. 1 pound and I was able to divide them easily into smaller portion controled servings.  I plan on ordering from them again.  They have other items and I  have already placed myself on the waiting list for bacon and in the spring, plan on placing an order for the 93/7 Ground Beef.  I highly recommend you check them out, if you get the opporunity.

Zucchini Spaghetti

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Ingredients:
Zucchini-1 per person
Spaghetti Sauce

You can use zucchini in place of spaghetti noodles in any of your spaghetti recipes.  I .  normally use 1 zucchini per person.

Use a juliene peeler and run it along the long side of the zucchini, to make your "spaghetti noodles". 

Place the Zucchini in boiling salted water and boil for 3-4 minutes.  Drain and serve with spaghetti sauce.

Biscotti

Ingredients:
1/3 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract
2 tsp orange zest
2 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup semi sweet chocolate pieces
 1/2 cup toasted almond pieces(optional)
Directions:
Preheat oven at 325 degrees.  Line baking sheet with parchament paper.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla, almond extract, and zest. Combine flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Stir into the creamed mixture until just blended. Mix in almonds. 

Divide dough into two pieces. Form into long flat loaves about 1/2 inch tall and 12 inches long. Place the loaves 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.   

Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until a light golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.

With a serrated knife, cut diagonally into slices about 1/2 inch thick. Lay the slices flat on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, turning over once. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.  

Place chocolate chips into a small, microwave-safe bowl. Melt chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 20 to 30 seconds until smooth. Drizzle chocolate on top of pieces. Let stand at room temperature until set. Store biscotti at room temperature in an airtight container. 

Cocoa Brownies

 Cocoa Brownies

Makes 16 large or 25 small brownies

Ingredients:
10 tablespoons (140 grams) unsalted butter(you can use light butter)
1 1/4 cups  sugar
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-process)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs, cold
1/2 cup  all-purpose flour


Directions:

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 325°F. Line the bottom and sides of an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides.

Combine the butter, sugar, cocoa, and salt in a medium microwave proof bowl. Place in microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each 30 seconds until melted and combined.

Stir in the vanilla.. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each one. When the batter looks thick, shiny, and well blended, add the flour and stir until you cannot see it any longer, then beat vigorously for 40 strokes.  Spread evenly in the lined pan.
Bake until a toothpick plunged into the center emerges slightly moist with batter, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool completely on a rack. Place the pan in the freezer once cool, for 30 minutes, if you want to cut them with clean lines.
Lift up the ends of the parchment or foil liner, and transfer the brownies to a cutting board. Cut into 16 or 25 squares.

4 Minute meatloaf in a mug

Ingredients:
4 oz ground beef
2 Tablespoons oatmeal
2 Tablespoons milk
1 Tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon onion soup mix

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and but in a microwave safe mug or ramekin sprayed with cooking spray.  Microwave for 4 minutes, or until cooked. Drain and let sit an additional 3 minutes.

I made up additional single servings,wrapped in plastic wrap and froze.  These can be pulled out and microwaved as above.  You may have to cook a little longer if you do not defrost first.   

Chicken Cordon Bleu-low calorie

Ingredients:
Cooking Spray
6--3 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast pieces
2 slices wheat bread
1/2 cup fresh spinach
2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese 
6 slices ham*
6 slices swiss cheese
3 egg whites

*I used a package of costco that has 4 slices for 70 calories, allowing me to use 4 thin slices per portion. 
Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray.

Lay slices of chicken between waxed paper and pound with a mallet to thin out slices.

Place one slice of ham and cheese on each slice of chicken.  Fold in half or roll up if you prefer.

In a food processor, mix bread, spinach, italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese.
place egg whites in one bowl and bread mixture in another bowl.

Dip chicken in egg wash and then in bread mixture, before placing on cooking sheet.

Spray top with cooking spray and cook 25 minutes or until cooked thru.  

Under 230 calories a piece.

Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

Ingredients:
2 eggplants
1 cup crushed fiber one cereal
1 cup bread crumbs
3 TBSP flax seed
2 eggs, whisked
Cooking spray
Spaghetti Sauce
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese 

Directions:
Slice eggplants in 1/2 inch slices and place in a colander with salt.  Allow to drain for 30 minutes and then rinse off salt.  Pat slices dry.
Preheat oven at 375. 
Place egg in a bowl and in another bowl mix crushed fiber one cereal, bread crumbs, and flax seed.  Dip each slice into egg and then coat on both sides with dry mixture.  place on parchment lined baking sheet.  Spray top of slice with cooking spray before cooking for 20 minutes. Turn over and spray again and cook for another 10 minutes.

Top one slice with spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese.  Place another piece on top and repeat.  Place stack back into oven to melt cheese.  You can add as much sauce and cheese to your liking.  I prefer this to regular eggplant parmesan because it is not as soft and mushy; but still has a great taste.   Since this is baked, not fried, you also cut a ton of calories and fat.