Today is my last day of "freedom" so I decided to fix foods that my daughter and my husband love. Today for lunch we had: Chicken Fingers--Alabama Style, zipper cream peas, rice, EZ Chicken Gravy, macaroni and cheese (from a box!), rolls, CLAUSSEN Pickles, and sweet tea with lemon.

I am going to bake some banana bread and we will have warm slices of that for supper.

CHICKEN FINGERS--ALABAMA STYLE

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cups self-rising flour
1 tsp. poultry seasoning
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
Oil (for frying)--enough to have about 1" depth in electric skillet
2 cups buttermilk (for marinating)

Early in the morning, wash and cut each boneless breast into three long slices. Cut off fat and any lingering bones. Put in a large Zip-Loc Bag. Add the chicken and rotate bag so that the chicken gets coated. Marinate for 4-5 hours or overnight.

Place oil in an electric skillet. Heat to 350 degrees. In a clean plastic bag, put the flour and seasonings. Mix well. Add half of the chicken pieces at a time and coat well. When the oil has reached 350 degrees, add the chicken strips slowly to the hot oil. Fry until all sides of the chicken are golden brown. Remove the first batch from the electric skillet and put the second batch of chicken into the flour. Coat well and repeat the steps until all of the chicken pieces are done.

Drain on paper towels.

EZ CHICKEN GRAVY

1 jar of Pepperidge Farm Chicken Gravy
1 onion, sliced thinly
1 tsp. garlic, minced
1 T. butter

Place onion, butter, and garlic in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until the butter has melted and the onion slices are transparent--about 4 minutes. Add the jar of chicken gravy and heat for about 3-4 minutes. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.

TROPICAL BANANA BREAD

3 cups self-rising flour
1 cup nuts
1 1/2 cups oil
2 cups bananas
2 tsps. vanilla extract
8 oz. crushed pineapple, drained
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup raisins
3 eggs, beaten

Combine flour and nuts and set aside. Combine remaining ingredients and add to flour mixture. Stir until moist. Spoon batter into 2 loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 5 minutes.

This bread is wonderful served warm or toasted. It is great spread with peanut butter or cream cheese.

Enjoy!

Have a wonderful Sunday!