Banana bread/muffins

4T butter
1c. br sugar
1 egg
4 ripe bananas, mashed
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
1 t. baking powder
1 t. soda
1/2 c. Chocolate chips

mix and put in 1 loaf pan. Bake for 60-70 min. at 325 oven ... If you do use muffin tins the cook time can be half... I watch them close around 27-32 minutes. Then they are gone.

So my favorite muffin recipe! Wyatt even can make these!!! Ssshhh! From our Family cookbook :)

Popper like Peppers

Take a long skinny "spicy" pepper of your choice, clean out the seeds with caution - wash hands right away.

Mix together ~
cream cheese (fat free or low fat fine is what I use)
onion powder or minced onion
grated cheese of your choice
(fine minced) sausage cooked up only about a half cup
2 egg
Mix well stuff sliced peppers Anaheim pepper our our favorite for mild and flavor
wrap with raw bacon

Bake 25-30 minutes 400 degrees

CAUTION may be *H*0*T* IN MORE WAYS THAN 1

this is my first attempt I bought some milder peppers so next time I will add some kick to the filling :)

sorry for the lack of measurements but you CANT GO WRONG!

Serving up Warm Banana Chip Scones

2 3/4 cups wheat flour

1T. baking powder

3/4t. salt

stick butter

cut that together - will resemble course crumbs

2 ripe bananas

2 eggs

3/4c. milk

**optional 2 T. Agave syrup **

stir well should form firm dough ball, additional flour may be needed

1 heaping T. at a time up to 3 to form large dough ball

turn it out onto a sprayed cookie sheet. Cut dough like large pie, slightly separate pieces

bake 24-28 minutes on 375

Cream Corn

Medium - large sized bag of frozen corn warmed through drained, a half box of cream cheese, 1/2 cup of thick cream, 2 TBSP sugar or sub statute, continue warming and stirring, salt and pepper, 4-5 TBSP Parmesan cheese..... I forgot to snap a picture last night :( but there wasn't any left when I remembered...

Cowboy nocho ~Very harty~ So very easy!!

3 small chopped onions
1 lb burger of your choice
1 (10oz) can rotel - - canned tomatoes and chilies found by the canned tomato at the store
1 (10 3/4 oz) can fiesta nacho cheese (( the only form I can find this in is Campbell's soup products))
1 (16 oz) can re fried beans

Fry onion and burger till done to you desire add rest of the ingredients
Garnish with your favorite taco fixings. We just enjoyed this dish (but the camera is malfunctioning)
We put olives sour cream, salsa, jalapenos, and so forth on ours the kids eat till the pan is empty.

Don't forget the corn chips - scoops work the best but any tortilla chips go down well.

Chunky sweet and sour sauce

1/4 cup of vinegar
4 TBSP brown sugar

14.5 oz stewed tomatoes + juice

8 oz crushed or tidbits of pineapple + juice

2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 4 tsp water
1 tsp soy sauce
1/2 dice orange or red bell pepper

Combing the cornstarch with the water, Making sure that the cornstarch fully dissolves into the water and set aside.


Place the vinegar, brown sugar, full can of stewed tomatoes with juice, full can of pineapple with juice, pepper and soy sauce into a small saucepan, mix together and bring to a boil. Boil for about 1 minute.

Add the cornstarch mixture and stir all of the ingredients together until the sauce has thickened to the desired consistency.

Photo taken of our Sweet and Sour Meet Balls and Rice

Rhubarb Oat Cake

1c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. shortening
1/2 c. milk
1 c. sour cream
1 tsp. soda
2 c flour
1/2 c. oats
2 c. rhubarb
2 t. vanilla
Cream sugar, and shortening; Add and mix milk, s.cream, add soda, flour and oats, then add rhubarb. Pour into greased and floured 13x9 inch pan

topping
Mix into crumbs:
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 brown sugar
3 Tbsp. butter
1/4 c. oats or even less

Sprinkle over cake Bake at 350* 35 - 40 minutes Serve with cool whip or whipped cream.
Sorry my pictures do this recipe no justice.

CONFETTI MASHED POTATOES

MAKE MASHED POTATOES LIKE NORMAL THEN ADD ANY OF THE FOLLOWING COLORS PICK AND CHOOSE

• GREEN ONIONS 2 CHOPPED FINELY
• CELERY 2 STALKS
• SPINACH 1 1/2 CUP FINELY SHREDDED
• GREEN PEPPER 1/4 CUT SMALL
• RED SWEET PEPPER 1/2 CUT SMALL
• CARROTS 1 CUP SHREDDED
• FINE SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE

THESE WENT DOWN JUST AS WELL AS MASHED POTATOES AND GRAVY! NO JOKES!! THE BIGGEST FAN WAS : MR. POTATOES AND GRAVY. FOR SURE WE WILL BE MAKING THESE MORE THAN AGAIN. NOTE: PURPLE COMES FROM SKINS ON RED POTATOES. NO PEALING GOING ON HERE!!! AFTER FOLDING IN VEGGIES I MIROWAVE ABOUT 4-5 MINUTES TO TAKE SOME OF THE KRISPNESS OUT OF THE CARROTS AND OTHERS. YUM!

Fluffy Lemon Pie

Crust:
2 cups crushed Vanilla wafers
1/4 Cup margarine or butter, melted

• Press mixture on bottom of 8" square baking dish.

Filling:
1 package (1 oz) sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix
1 tsp sugar-free lemonade soft drink mix
1 c.cold fat-free milk
1 carton (8 oz) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed, divided

• Combine pudding mix and soft drink mix. In a small bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixture for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes(pudding will be stiff).
• Fold in half of the whipped topping. Spread into crust. Top With remaining whipped topping. Cover and chill for 2-3 hours or until set.

Note these recipes came from Taste of home simple & delicious and Wafer box ---- Another attempt to let the kids cook, I have to be truthful here I bought the ingredients with full intentions of them doing it but they were crabby at each other so I ended up making it. I really felt offal! But there is going to be tomorrow, TLW we can make another attempt at another scrumptious recipe to share. One thing I noticed with this one is, For my taste I think it could be a little more sour or lemony.... If you figure out how to do this without making it runny let me know, please!

Three-Cheese Lasagna

With all the flavors of lasagna but none of the layering work, this recipe is as easy as it is delicious.

2 lb ground beef or ground turkey

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 package bowtie noodles

2 Tb Italian seasonings

2 1/4 cups hot water

2 cans (14-1/2 diced tomatoes, drained

1 package (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

1/2 cup chopped green onions

1 cup(8 oz) 4% cottage cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

1-1/2 cups (6 oz) shredded part skim- mozzarella cheese

• 
  
  In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat for 10 - 12 minutes or until meat is no longer pink; drain.


• 
  
  Stir in pasta and Italian seasonings, water tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms and onions, Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 - 13 minutes or until pasta is tender, Stir in cottage cheese and Parmesan cheese.


• 
  
  Transfer to tow greased 8-in. square baking dishes. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.


• 
  
  Cover and bake the remaining casserole at 350* for 15-20 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted. Cover and freeze 2nd casserole for up to 3 months.


• 
  
  To use frozen casserole: Remove from the freezer 30 minutes before baking (do not thaw). Cover and bake 350* for 1 hour. Uncover;bake 15-20 minuter longer or until heated through. Yield: 2 casseroles (4 servings each).

Note: Recipe is from Taste of home Simple and delicious - I have a huge goal --- to start letting the kids cook! If I can take baby steps I know we will make it! I have little patients for mess!!, but realize they need this exp. and I will never regret it either - Wish me luck and enjoy your easy lasagna!!!

Skinny on these tomatoes

2 T. dressing

1/2 C. Cottage cheese

pepper to taste

chop celery finely

2 C. your favorite fish

Melt in your mouth HOTCAKES

1 1/2 C. Milk

2 T. Lemon Juice

2 Eggs

2 C. Bisquick

2 t. Baking powder

1 T. Sugar

Mix in order add to dry ingredients

Mix dry ingredients befor adding liquid ingredients.

oil skillet before heating it to 360*

Apple dumplings

We may have seen many variations to this recipe so I tried one out and here is what I got. Some may even be as close as one ingredient difference. Such as the recipe posted on pioneer woman.... even in her comments I read tonight that one ladies used sprite, too. How old is a recipe like this???? See what your hungry bunch thinks, if your not on a strict diet of some kind. Wink!!! My feelings would not be hurt if you said you fixed it and did not even have a taste. Kuz I have to tell you, I solely posted it because the kids liked it. I don't keep ice cream around. (our freezer is small and it usually goes bad before it gets eat'n) I have not had any, yet! I hope I can stay out of it!!! But that doesn't mean you can't have any!! What are some recipes you have that carbonated beverages as an ingredient?

2 apples

2 cans crescent rolls

2 sticks butter

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 t. Vanilla

cinnamon

1 small can Sprite

Peel and core apples. Cut apples into slices. Roll each apple slice into a crescent roll. Place in a buttered 9 x 13. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, and pour over apples. Pour Sprite around the edges of the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degree for 40 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces over the top from the pan. Enjoy!!

from our old family cook book

S'more Brownies.... I could not resist sharing this with you!!

Crust:
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons sugar Pinch fine salt
Brownie:
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
4 large cold eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
Topping:
4 cups large marshmallows
Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat oven to 325 degrees F. Line an 8 by-8-inch square baking pan with foil so it hangs over the edges by about 1 inch.
For the crust: Lightly butter the foil with some of the melted butter. Stir the rest of the butter together with the crumbs, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Press the crumb mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the brownie. Put the butter and chocolate in a medium microwave safe bowl. Melt in the microwave on 75 percent power for 2 minutes. Stir, and microwave again until completely melted, about 2 minutes more. Alternatively, put the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with 1 inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl on the pan without touching the water. Stir occasionally until melted. Stir the light brown and white sugars, vanilla and salt into the melted chocolate. Add the eggs and beat vigorously to make a thick and glossy batter. Add the flour and stir until just incorporated.
Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the top is crispy and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out mostly clean, with a few crumbs, about 40 to 45 minutes.
Remove from the oven and carefully position a rack about 6 inches from the broiler and preheat on low. Layer marshmallows across the top and toast under the broiler until golden, (keep an eye on it, it can go quick), about 2 minutes. very quick!!! My advice is to heat the broiler and shut it off right after you put you brownies in the oven and keep rotaiting the pan. LOOK OUT OR THEY WILL LOOK LIKE THIS! Cool on a rack, gently removing the brownies from the pan using the aluminum flaps. Carefully separate any marshmallow from the foil and fold away. Cut into 12 (2-inch) squares.

I promised to never hold out on you!!!! I have to try this one. I think this just might be what my lil' Valentines get for dessert?

Source: food network

Mocha Cheesecake Delights

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
• 6 tablespoons Hershey's Cocoa
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup broken pecan pieces
• COFFEE CHEESECAKE LAYER(recipe follows)
• 1/4 teaspoon Hershey's Cocoa(optional)
  

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 9-inch square baking pan. 2. In medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Add cocoa; stir until mixture is smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, blending well after each addition. Add flour; stir until well blended. Stir in pecans. Pour mixture into prepared pan; smooth top. Set aside. 3. Prepare COFFEE

CHEESECAKE LAYER; evenly pour mixture over top of brownie layer. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan at room temperature. Refrigerate until cold. 4. Before serving, sprinkle cocoa over top, if desired. Cut into 3 inch squares; cut each square diagonally to form a triangle. Cover; refrigerate leftover dessert. 18 triangles.

COFFEE CHEESECAKE LAYER

• 1 teaspoon powdered instant coffee
• 2 teaspoons hot water
• 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs

Dissolve powdered coffee in water; set aside. In small bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar; beat until well blended. Add coffee mixture and flour; blend well. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

source Hersheys

Hope you can all make sence of this.

*This may not be for you if your on a strick diet!! But a great treat for Feb. 14.

Happy Valentines Day!

Italian Suprize

I will give this a try -

Brown you choice of 1 pound ground meat with Italian seasoning and herbs.
Boil your choice of noodles till soft. Don't over cook.

When meat is done add 1/2 pesto, 1 cup sundried tomatoes, and lots artichoke hearts as desired. If it is dry add 2 T olive oil. Heat till all is warm and stir till well mixed. There were NO left overs last night. Tell me what your family thinks. There is not a distinct flavor to this.

Chicken variation

My army loved this one too!

Some call them "Funeral Potatoes"

6 cups diced Potatoes - 2 lbs souther style has browns
1 can (10 3/4 oz) cond. cream chicken soup
1 can (10 3/4 oz0 cond. cream celary soup
1/2 soup can milk
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups grated mild cheddar cheese
1/2 cup minced onion
Pepper to taste
Cook fresh potatoes or thaw frozen potatoes. Place potatoes in a 2-3 quart casserol dish or a 9x13 cake pan. Combine soup, milk, sour cream cheese, and pepper. Spread sauce over potatoes. Bake uncovered at 350 F for 30-45 minutes.

To make a meal out of this I have added chicken and green beans. Another variation we have eaten is ham and broccoli.

Source My sister-n-law Photo lift

Cheesy Manicotti

1 pkg. (8 oz.) sliced mushrooms


2 cloves garlic, minced


3 eggs whites


1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained


1 container (15 oz.) part - skim ricotta cheese


1 cup shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese divided


1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided


1 pkg. (8 oz.) Manicotti shell (14 shells,) cooked, drained


2 cups spaghetti sauce


1 1/2 cups of chicken chunks (if you desire)


Preheat oven to 350*. Spray large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Add mushrooms and garlic; cook 5 min. on medium heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. beat egg whites lightly in medium bowl. Add mushroom mixture, spinach, ricotta cheese and half each of mozzarella, Parmesan cheeses and chicken; mix well. Spoon evenly into Manicotti shells. **If you have a jerky shooter or some kind of a food gun they work the best**


Place in 9 x 13 baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with spaghetti sauce.


Bake 40 min. or until heated through. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses; continue baking 5 min. or until mozzarella cheese is melted.


Makes 7 servings of 2 stuffed shells each.
Total time of preperation is about 1 hour 25 minutes. (not really a fast dinner, but yummy)


You may have to add a few things to your shopping list that you've bought very few times but it is so worth it! You can substitute; cottage cheese instead of the ricotta and or grated Romano cheese for the Parmesan cheese, Broccoli instead of spinach. While your preparing for this scrumptious Italian meal don't for get the french bread, & pesto, to top it all off.

Source unknown

Whole Wheat Biscuits

This quick and easy recipe adds a special touch to everyday meals.

1 - 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon butter, milted

In a bowl, combine flours, sugar, baking powder, cream of tartar and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles course crumbs. Beat egg and milk; stir into dry ingredients until a ball forms. Turn onto a floured surface, knead 5-6 times. roll to 1 inch thickness; brush with butter. Cut with a 2 inch biscuit cutter. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 450 * for 10-12 minutes or until light light brown. Yield about 1 dozen.
This makes 2 now, things worth making the mess for. My most favorite under is apple butter!

Blitzen Cake

Seperate 5 eggs.
Mix the following ingredients together.
5 egg yolks 3 Tablespoons milk
1/2 cup butter 1 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup sugar 1 cup flour
Spread into 2 round layer pans; greased and floured.
Take the 5 egg whites and beat them with 1 cup powdered sugar. Beat till fluffy. Spread evenly over each layer of cake batter. Bake 300 for 25-30 minutes.
After cake is baked and cooled; place the following filling between layers.
1 egg 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup milk 3 Tablespoon flour
Cook in saucepan till thickened. Then add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Mix. Let cool; then add to cake.

Source My Mother-n-law