Fall at Zoo

canon 550 D sample picture

Camera Model: Canon EOS 550D (…yes, I have a new camera. I’ll be talking about this a little later. Now I really need to spend some time crying …out of happiness. I hope you understand.)

Lens: Canon Telephoto 75-300mm (…yes, I’ve used telephoto to shoot almost macro. When I had a first look through the lens I could barely see one quarter of the leaf. I was standing that close to it. It’s actually not that smart to stand close to the photographed subject when you use a telephoto lens. To maneuver out of this peculiar situation I had to take a few steps back to achieve the dimensions of the photo above. This clearly describes how terribly lazy I can get – I decide to take a few steps back instead of reaching into the bag that’s hanging on my shoulder for a more appropriate lens because it just seems less energy consuming. Sometimes it’s hard to be me.)

Focal Length: 190 mm
(…the distance from the lens to its focus. This sounds rather technical. I have a distant and misty idea what this means but I am not sure I ever want to see into this fully.)


Aperture: F5.0 (…this is a quite small aperture value. The lower the aperture the blurrier the background. Petra loves blurry backgrounds. Sometimes she thinks she loves blurry backgrounds more than sweets. Sometimes she loves sweets more than anything.)


Shutter Speed: 1/100 [s] (…this is the fraction of time I have captured. It always amazes me. My brain isn’t even able to imagine a fraction that small.)

ISO: 3200 (…this is a very high ISO setting. ISO setting this high allows you to take pictures in rather low light conditions. And this number – I mean the number 3200 – is one of the reasons why I am crying with happiness when I think about my new camera. I can’t stop it! I was dreaming about this number for such a long time.)

White Balance: Auto (…the auto white balance of this camera must have been programmed by aliens. It is that good. Another tear of joy is rolling down my face.)
Post Processing: Photoshop Elements 8 (…I mostly played with the Pioneer Woman Action called ‘Soft Faded’.)

The moral of this story: ‘Even not so optimal equipment or settings can create quite an acceptable picture.’
…oh, and here’s the original picture:


Chicken Parmesan

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

If you are looking for a nice comfort meal that will satisfy you and your loved ones then you need to look no longer.

Because this is the right thing for you.

I just know it.

It’s Chicken Parmesan.

A flavorful combination of chicken, tomato sauce and cheese.

The best thing ever!

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

Here are the ingredients.

1. We are going to start by preparing the tomato sauce.

First, grate one half of the onion and place it into a medium saucepan.

It sounds like a strange thing to do – to grate an onion – but doing so will create smaller onion pieces and release more of the onion’s juices.

But then, you know how it works – rules are made to be broken. So if you don’t feel like grating it, then just give it a good chop.

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

2. Pour two tablespoons of olive oil into the onions and place the saucepan over medium-high heat.

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

3. Heat the mixture up and let the onions saute for about 2-3 minutes.

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

4. Peel the cloves of garlic, press them and add them into the saucepan.

If you don’t have a press then just mince the garlic finely.
5. Cook until fragrant – for about one minute.

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

6. Then add the tomatoes.

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

7. Add the oregano, salt and sugar.
8. Bring to a simmer. Then reduce the heat to maintain the simmer.
9. Cook uncovered for about 10-12 minutes.

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

Meanwhile, we can prepare the chicken.

 

10. Preheat the oven to 400 °F (200 °C).
11. Rinse the chicken breasts under cold running water and pat dry – this is the thing I just always do, probably because my Mom said so.
12. Working one at a time, place a chicken cutlet between two layers of plastic wrap (or wax paper).

With a meat pounder, pound the chicken pieces to flatten them to an even thickness – between 1/4 – 1/2 inch (0.6 – 1 cm).

If you don’t have a meat pounder, you can use a rubber mallet, an empty wine bottle or a heavy rolling pin.

Working in kitchen can be a lot of fun sometimes.

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

13. Salt the chicken pieces generously.

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

14. Now we need two bowls.

In one bowl whisk together the eggs.

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

15. And in the second bowl mix together one half of the Parmesan cheese (grated) and  the breadcrumbs.

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

16. Heat 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
17. Dredge the chicken pieces (one piece at a time) first in the egg mixture…

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

18. …and then in the breadcrumbs.

I like to use tongs or two forks to do this.

Or both if I feel especially mischievous.

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

19. Then lay the pieces in the hot pan.

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

20. Turn the heat to medium, then gently fry the cutlets until they are golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

21. Spread about 3/4 of the tomato sauce over the bottom of a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) casserole pan or baking dish.
22. Once the cutlets are nicely browned on both sides, arrange them on top of the tomato sauce.

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

23. Spoon the rest of the tomato sauce over each of the cutlets.
24. Slice the basil leaves roughly and sprinkle them over the sauce.

Me love basil!

Me have my own plant!

Me is happy to have my own plant!

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

25. Grate (or slice) the mozzarella (or Edam cheese) thinly…

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

26. …and place the slices on top.
27. Sprinkle the whole dish with the rest (1/2 cup – 50 grams) of the Parmesan cheese.

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

28. Bake for about 20-25 minutes.

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

Oh my!

chicken Parmesan recipe with step by step pictures

Serve this scrumptious meal with spaghetti and the remaining sauce.

Or… mm… in a large roll.

And most importantly – enjoy, dear friends!
(This recipe was adapted from SimplyRecipes.com.)

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