Up until recently..........I have associated bread crumbs

with the children's story of Hansel and Gretel, leaving bread crumbs to find their way home, or with the saying....."we've been living on bread crumbs". All in all, bread crumbs left me with the impression that there was just not that much to them..........................however,

I first started baking with bread crumbs, when one summer , I was rewarded with a large harvest of garden tomatoes. I scoured through my cookbooks for all kinds of tomato recipes...............finding stuffed baked tomatoes................so delicious! This recipe called for the use of Italian breadcrumbs..............something I was not accustomed to, but managed to find in the store. I have made that recipe several times................one time forgetting the bread crumbs..........and finding out that this little insignificant ingredient carried a lot of flavor..........especially when remembered to be added! But that is all I have used bread crumbs for................. until the other day................

I ran across a recipe titled Italian Chicken Sticks. I decided to give this a try with my homemade pasta. Oh, let me tell you!.............................just wonderful! Now, in my cooking, I will never take those tiny, grainy bread crumbs for granted ever again! I have made them to be a constant in my pantry. If you are tired of chicken fried, baked, and roasted,..............give this tasty and( may I add, quick and easy), recipe a try. You'll be glad you did! Enjoy!

Italian Chicken Sticks

1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

1 1/2 tsp. thyme

1 1/2 tsp. basil

1 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Pinch of ground red pepper

1 stick of melted butter

8 boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2 inch strips

Marinar sauce or honey mustard for dipping

Preheat oven to 400.F degrees. In a pie plate , combine the breadcrumbs and seasonings. Dip the chicken strips into the melted butter and then dredge them in the breadcrumb mixture. Place chicken strips in a single layer on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve the chicken sticks hot with sauces . Enjoy!