Comfort Food - A little extra work today can stretch for a few more.

The smell of roasting chicken reminds me of my mother's house.  Growing up, my family had Sunday Dinner every week.  Mom would get a roast chicken or roast beef in the oven before we left for church and when we got home, the whole house smelled heavenly.

I rarely make a dish like this...passing right by the larger cuts of roast and whole chickens for smaller cuts that can be prepared in a hurry (and that are the right portion size).  I bought this on the request of my family for a chicken dinner "like Nonna makes."

When I served it up with brown rice and steamed brussel sprouts it was much healthier and lighter (and less work) than my mother's version, which is often served with mountains of side dishes that are tasty, but offer less nutritional benefits like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and corn.  I also skipped on the MSG laden gravy typically served with this dish.

As a nice benefit....I've got a BUNCH of leftover chicken and brown rice for salads and dinner for the kids now that I've gone 2 weeks sans nuggets in my house.  Not that I'm imposing a diet change for my children, but teaching them these lessons in healthy eating early on in life may just keep them healthier when those nasty colds make their way around school!  So far, no complaints from them either.