Three-Dunk Chicken / 80's is Kid Music Part II

A friend of mine emailed me after my last post, amused at my devious plan to convince my children that my beloved 80's music was really kids' music. We mostly laughed at certain 80's songs NOT for children, and require a quick station change... "All I Want to do is... (Heart), I Want Your...(George Michael), Burning Down the House (Talking Heads)."

So, barring a few hiccups, 80's music really can be translated into kids' vocabulary. Here's a few examples to further prove my point...

Don't Stop Believin' Journey (inspirational, no?)
Your Mama Don't Dance Poison (a few off-color lyrics, but a loud
cough can cover those right up)
Walk Like an Egyptian The Bangles (fits nicely into Biscuit's Geography
studies)
Don't be Cruel Cheap Trick (moral teaching done for you)
Where the Streets Have No Name U2 (a five-year-old will ask you,
"Who took the signs?")
Hip to be Square Huey Lewis and the News (might as well be sung
by Big Bird)
DeDoDoDoDeDaDaDa The Police (Elmo for this one)
We are the World USA for Africa (more moral teaching, just don't
mention Michael Jackson is part of this group)

And the ultimate 80's to kid translation...

Pour Some Sugar on Me Def Lepperd (also chosen as 'ultimate' because Mommy knows all the words and sings at the top of her lungs!!)

If you can't get your kids involved in 80's music, it's no big deal.

It IS a big deal, however, to get kids involved in the kitchen. When kids get to help prepare their food in addition to choosing their food, then that feeling of empowerment just gets stronger and stronger.

Here's a quick and easy dinner for you and your kids to make together. Let kids do the three-step-dunk for a quick, simple and tasty chicken dinner.


Three-Dunks Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2/3 c. seasoned bread crumbs (always keep these stored in freezer for freshness)
1/3 c. grated Parmesan
salt and pepper to taste
1 egg, beaten
2 Tbsp. milk
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
2 to 4 Tbsp. olive oil

Rinse chicken and blot dry with paper towels. Place chicken in large, vented plastic bag and beat to death with the smooth side of a meat mallet (ok, maybe not to death, but don't be afraid to punish the chicken).

In one bowl, combine bread crumbs, Parmesan, salt and pepper. In a seperate bowl, beat together egg and milk. On a paper plate, spread flour. For explanation on the assembly line, I present Biscuit...





Coat chicken in flour.


Then dip in egg mixture.


Coat completely with bread crumb mixture. Be very serious about it.


Here's what it looks like before you add chicken to an olive oil-coated skillet on medium high. Cook each side for approx. 3 min. or until chicken is cooked through. The trick is to make sure the oil is good and hot before you add the chicken, otherwise the bread crumbs will get all mushy. My kiddies looooove this chicken.

Here's the mess I had to clean up. Not bad. Biscuit is always so proud of himself when he helps me cook. Even though it's a little bit of extra work and clean up, it makes me feel good, too. Awwww.