Monday, July 27, 2009

Chicken Parmesan Piccolinos & a Contest Giveaway

If you clicked on the link because of the title, then I sort of lied to you. I am posting a recipe for this dish but this post is not about that. But play along, I have a blog contest I am running in which you could win a cookbook!

Let's be honest. In this economy, it is hard to give up your hard earned cash for someone else. But what if you get something in return? Yeah, not so bad, right? So here's the deal.

This Thursday, July 30th Carrabba's is hosting the "Mix It Up For MDA" event to raise money in the fight against Muscular Dystrophy. One of my wife's cousins has MDA so I take this a bit personally.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill “Mix it up for MDA” Event

What: “Mix it Up for MDA” Event, a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association

When: Thursday, July 30thfrom 5 p.m. to close

Cost: $15 a person

Admission includes a sampling of four food items from the new Mr. C’s Bar Menu and, for guests 21 years and older, one of three signature cocktails (Blackberry Lemonade, the Italian Lemon Drop or Blackberry Fields Martini) or another drink on the Mr. C’s list. In addition to monies raised from event admission (your whole $15 goes to the MDA) , Carrabba’s also will donate $1 to MDA for each of the three signature drinks sold from July 30 – August 6.

Where: To find Carrabba’s locations near you, visit http://carrabbas.com/locator.aspx

Contest Give Away
Up for grabs: The cookbook Ciao Tuscany provided by the good folks at Carrabba's themselves
My Contest Rules: (And yes, this is MY contest and MY rules, Carrabba's has nothing to do with this so don't blame them if you aren't happy with the results.)

1) Entries:
1 entry ticket = post THIS LINK in a post in your blog with a clear mention of the purpose of their event.
10 entry tickets = post the link AND a picture of your attempt of Chicken Parmesan Piccolinos. Creative license and substitutions freely permitted.

2) Posts:
All posts must be made and entered in the comments section, between now and the end of their event on August 6th 2009.

3) How to Enter:
Leave a link to your qualifying post in the comments section.

4) Drawing:
The qualifying entries will be placed in a non-reactive mixing bowl and the winner drawn at random. How do we know it will be random? We are going to put the paper slips into the bowl, spin it around and stick it into Ollie the Wonder Chinchilla's cage. The first one he pulls all of the way out of the bowl is the winner (will post the video just for fun).

Carrabba's Chicken Parmesan Piccolinos
INGREDIENTS

8 oz breast split Chicken breast, pounded thin (1/4 inch)
* Kosher salt and black pepper (to taste)
1 Beaten egg
2 Cups Seasoned breadcrumbs
2 oz Olive oil
4 oz Hot pomodoro sauce***
1 oz Grated romano cheese
2 slices Mozzarella
4 slices Italian mini sandwich bread

METHOD
Season chicken on both sides with the kosher salt and black pepper. Dip chicken breast into beaten egg and then coat with the seasoned breadcrumbs.


Heat olive oil, medium heat in a Teflon-coated skillet. Make sure the oil is hot before placing breaded chicken into the pan otherwise breading will absorb oil and not brown properly. Sauté chicken breast on both sides until golden brown.

Place chicken on a baking pan. Spread the pomodoro sauce evenly over the chicken and sprinkle with romano cheese, and top with mozzarella.

Melt cheese under broiler until lightly browned.

Cut to size and serve on Italian mini sandwich bread.

***I didn't get a recipe for their pomodoro sauce so you could try this one from Tyler Florence.

So please consider stopping by your local Carrabba's this Thursday. If you find yourself there the following week, order one of the new menu items. Or if you can't, at least consider making a donation to the MDA.