Another Banana Bread...

This has to be a favorite recipe for banana bread. It is super moist and Aiden will not stop asking for more lol.

1 1/4C all purpose flour
11/4C whole wheat flour (or 2 1/2 cups of either one)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4tsp ground nutmeg
1/4tsp salt
5 large ripe bananas
2lg eggs
3/4 C sugar(I used Splenda)
1/2C(one stick)unsalted butter, melted
chopped walnuts or pecans
confectioners' sugar for dusting(optional)

Heat oven to 350. Coat two loaf pans w/nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large bowl,combine flour,baking soda,cinnamon,nutmeg, and salt. Make a well in the center. Mash bananas in a medium size bowl.Add eggs,sugar and butter and beat until fairly smooth. Pour banana mixture into well in dry ingredients and stir just until blended. Divide batter evenly between prepared loaf pans. Sprinkle top w/walnuts or pecans(I used pecans).
Bake at 350 for 35minutes until browned and tops spring back lightly when gently pressed. Remove to wire rack, dust w/confectioners' sugar if desired.

It should be called "sin"

Because it's sinfully delicious. This recipe is for incredible Double Chocolate Brownies. They are easy(which by now, you all should know that I love easy!) and to die for! Give them a try soon!


Double Chocolate Brownies

3/4C (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
4 oz (4 squares) unsweetened chocolate
2C sugar (I used one cup splenda and one cup regular sugar)
4large eggs
1 1/4 C all purpose flour(I used one cup white and 1/4 C whole wheat)
1C chopped pecans
1 bag(12oz) chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350. Line 13x9 baking pan w/nonstick foil, leaving overhang.
In large glass bowl, heat butter and chocolate squares in microwave on HIGH for 2min. Stir until smooth then let stand for 5 min to cool.
Whisk in sugar,eggs,vanilla and flour. Mix well. Stir in pecans and half bag of chocolate chips. Pour into prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the rest of the chips on top. Bake at 350 for 35 min until top is dry to touch. Let cool completely in pan. Lift brownies from pan w/foil. Cut into squares and serve.

per brownie: 279 calories, 17g fat,4gprotein,33g carbs,2g fiber,14mg sodium,50mg cholesterol



I am telling you, if you don't smack your mama, then something is dreadfully wrong w/you!!!!!

lip smacking good!!!

Amish Oatmeal

This recipe is out of a cookbook. It's the Taste of Home, Prize Winning Recipes book. This is my husbands favorite oatmeal. It's super easy and you can put it together the night before then bake the next morning.

1 1/2 C quick cooking Oats
1/2C sugar(I use splenda)
1/2C milk(I use vanilla light soy milk)
1/4C melted butter
1 egg
1tsp baking powder
3/4tsp salt
1tsp vanilla extract

warm milk
fresh fruit
brown sugar,optional

Combine the 1st eight ingredients;mix well. Spread evenly in a greased baking dish. Bake at 350 for 25min or until edges are golden brown. Immediately spoon into bowls; add warm milk,brown sugar and fresh fruit.We like bananas and strawberries the most!

Potato salad with Cream

I got this recipe from a friend. It is soooo good. I highly recommend it and give it 5 stars!!! It's so good.

2 1/2 lbs potatoes
1/2 C vinegar,boiling
4 eggs,beaten(I just used 3)
1 tbsp butter
1C heavy cream(I used half and half)
4tbsp chopped fresh parsley
half chopped onion
2tsp dry mustard
1tsp salt
1/2tsp black pepper
1 pinch red pepper

Peel potatoes and boil in water til tender. OR for a fast way, wash red potatoes, steam in microwave til tender. Drain, and let cool.

In a double boiler, bring vinegar to a boil. Beat the eggs. Then once the vinegar is boiling, temper the eggs. Then pour in tempered eggs into the rest of the boiling vinegar. Cover and let simmer til thickened, occasionally stir to prevent scorched eggs. Stir in Butter,and cook one minute. Whisk in cream,parsley,onion,mustard,salt,pepper,and red pepper.Pour over potatoes and combine.Cool and sprinkle w/Parsley(or bacon bits) and refrigerate til ready to serve.

Pizza Burgers

A very kid friendly meal, that makes everyone happy. This is my own recipe but feel free to "tweak" it any way you like. Joe and I both were served these as kids and it's a simple and fun thing to share w/other kids.

1lbs ground beef or turkey
1-2 jars pizza sauce(or you can make homemade)
mozzarella cheese
any veggies you like on your pizza, you can even use pepperoni

Brown your ground beef/turkey(you can use sausage too)then add sauce and veggies. Serve over hamburger buns and top w/cheese.

Warm Steak Salad

Warm Steak Salad

This recipe is in a cookbook of mine. It sounded super yummy and a great idea for a quick dinner. It's from The Family Circle Cookbook.

1lbs of red potatoes
3 strips of bacon
1 red onion, chopped
1 lbs sirloin steak, cut into strips
1/4tsp salt
5TBSP honey
5TBSP cider vinegar
1/2tsp cornstarch mixed w/1/2 tsp cold water
1bag baby spinach
1C grap tomatoes,halved

Place potatoes in medium sized pot and cover w/cold water. Salt lightly and bring to boil. Simmer for 15min or til tender.(I steamed potatoes in microwave)
Meanwhile,in a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Transfer to paper towel. Add onion to bacon drippings and cook for 3min. Add steak and salt. Cook about 2 min or til steak is no longer pink. Transfer steak and onions to plate and keep warm.
Add honey and vinegar to skillet; cook over medium heat for 2min. add cornstarch/water mixture cook and cook for 30 sec. Remove from heat.(I skipped this part and used a balsamic vinaigrette instead. )
Drain potatoes; run under cold water. Cut potatoes into quarters and place in bowl along w/the crumbled bacon and steak-onion mixture and tomatoes. Add spinach and dressing and then toss well to coat.


This was good, however, I don't care for the skillet method on the steak. I think next time I will grill the steak! Would be awesome to use left over grilled steak for this! Also, I didn't think we would like the cider vinegar as much as a balsamic one. We love balsamic lol