Potato Skins

1 large baked potato

bake however you like - I use a metal skewer through the center of the potato in a 450 degree oven for 45-60 minutes. Cut in half lengthwise, scoop out the mush (eat as a baked potato or make mashed potatoes, etc.), and cut into chip size pieces.

1 T. olive oil
1 t. grated parmesean cheese
dashes of salt, pepper, garlic powder

Mix and brush both sides of the potato skins. Bake at 450 or 475 degrees for 7 minutes, flip, and bake for another 7 minutes. Add grated cheese and bacon bits (or whatever you like - be creative!) and put back into the oven until the cheese is melted (2 minutes). Top with sour cream, chives, etc.

Buffalo Chicken Wings

~10 wing portions
1/2 cup flour
1/8 tsp. paprika
1/8 tsp. cayenne
1/8 tsp. salt

Mix the dry ingredients and coat the wings. Put in a container, cover, and refigerate for 60-90 minutes. The flour will mix with the juices and get a little gummy. This is what you want. Skip this step and they just won't turn out right. You have two options for cooking. Traditionally, fry in 375 degree oil for 10-12 minutes. If you want to cut down on the calories and oil, bake in the oven at 450 degress for 40-45 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through. I decided to bake them. I used a cooling rack on a rimmed cookie sheet.

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup hot sauce (if you want the real taste, use Frank's hot sauce)
dashes of pepper and garlic powder

Melt the butter and add the hot sauce. This proportion is for a medium hotness. If you want mild, use more butter and less hot sauce (or vice versa if you want hotter - you can also add powdered cayenne pepper). Mix the wings with the sauce in a large bowl and enjoy. Serve with celery and blue cheese dressing.

California Chicken

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Italian salad dressing
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 pinch salt
1 pinch ground black pepper
2 avocados - peeled, pitted and sliced
2 ripe tomatoes, sliced
1 (8 ounce) package Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 10 slices

Marinate chicken in salad dressing for a few hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grill chicken or cook in hot skillet for15 minutes or until chicken is browned and just about done. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Place chicken on cookie sheet and top each breast with 1 to 2 slices of tomato and 2 to 3 slices of cheese. Place in oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until cheese melts. Remove from oven, add 2 to 3 slices of avocado on top of each breast, and serve immediately.