by Marsha | Jan 27, 2010 | Breakfast / Brunch, Good For You |
These muffins are great! Who says that things that are healthy have to taste bad? Try making a batch of these, your kids will love em! 1 cup plain flour 1/2 cup plain whole wheat flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup milled flax seed 2 cups really ripe bananas 1/2 cup sugar 2 Tablespoons Molasses 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce 2 Tablespoons butter melted (I used “I can’t believe it’s not butter” sticks) Topping: 1/4 cup toasted wheat germ 3 Tablespoons brown sugar 2 Tablespoons finely chopped walnuts 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 1 Tablespoon butter Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. While oven is heating, prepare topping by mixing together the first 5 ingredients. Cut in 1 Tablespoon butter until it resembles small crumbs. Set aside. For muffins, in a large bowl, mix together the flour, whole wheat flour, flax seed, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir to combine. In a mixing bowl mix together the sugar, egg, banana, molasses, vanilla and applesauce. Stir wet ingredients into flour mixture by hand until just combined. Do not over mix or muffins will be chewy. Pour batter into muffin pan sprayed with cooking spray or lined with paper liners. Fill each space two thirds full. Top each muffin with the topping mixture and place in oven to bake. Bake for 15 -20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center of muffin comes out clean. Remove to wire rack to cool. ~Marsha...
by Marsha | Nov 29, 2009 | Budget Friendly, Main Dishes, Sandwiches |
Dinner doesn’t always have to be meat and potatoes. Here is a busy-day option that is easy and delicious. One 13oz can chicken deli mustard softened butter (optional) swiss cheese slices lettuce caramelized onions – (recipe follows) Large Sandwich Rolls – (any kind you like) Cook caramelized onions. Assemble sandwiches by putting butter on one half of the roll and then spread mustard on the other half. Place swiss cheese slice and chicken on bun and toast if desired. When toasted, add onions and lettuce. Serve hot with your favorite chips or fries. Note: (One 13oz can of chicken will make approximately 4 sandwiches.) Caramelized Onions 1 Tablespoon Canola or Olive Oil 4 medium sized onions pinch of salt 2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar 1 teaspoon sugar Peel and slice onions. Add 1 Tablespoon olive oil to skillet over medium heat. Add onions and pinch of salt. Sauté until onions are wilted. Add vinegar and sugar and continue to cook over medium heat until onions are tender and most of the liquid is gone, stirring occasionally. ~Marsha...
by Marsha | Nov 8, 2009 | Desserts |
I have been trying to find a recipe for the perfect homemade plain cake. I don’t know about you, but boxed cake mixes seem to make shorter and shorter cakes every year. I wanted tall beautiful cake layers, the way I remember them as a child. Tall layers are easier to cut in half and make those luscious holiday 4 layer cakes! I adapted this recipe and I think it’s a keeper! Ingredients: 1 stick butter flavored shortening (1 cup) 2 cups sugar 3 cups bread flour ( I used White Lily bread flour) 3 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 3 eggs 1 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Grease and flour 2 9 inch round baking pans. Sift together the dry ingredients, flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream together shortening and sugar. Add eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition. Add milk and flour mixture alternately, then add vanilla. Scrape down bowl to be sure all ingredients are incorporated. Pour batter evenly into baking pans and bake in a 325 degree oven for 35 minutes. (Baking at a slightly lower temp makes the cake rise more evenly and not have the hump in the center) Cakes are done when toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Cool in pan for roughly 2-3 minutes. Turn cake out of pan onto a cooling rack cover in toule cloth and cool to room temperature. Frost as desired. ~Marsha...
by Marsha | Nov 4, 2009 | Holidays, Parties |
My sister gave me this recipe years ago. I always make it around Thanksgiving and Christmas each year. The holidays just wouldn’t be the same without this recipe. I know the ingredients may sound odd, but it has a wonderful flavor and it is usually the first cheese ball devoured at parties. 2 8oz bars of cream cheese (can use the 1/3 less fat variety too) 1 Tablespoon finely chopped onion 1/4 cup finely chopped bell pepper 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 2 8 oz cans of crushed pineapple (well drained) 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon white pepper 1/4 teaspoon red pepper (cayenne) Chopped pecans, walnuts or parsley for garnish (optional) Drain pineapple thoroughly by mashing it in the strainer until mostly dry. Reserve juice for another use. In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients except for nuts and mix thoroughly. Shape into ball or log and garnish if desired. Cover and refrigerate. This recipe tastes better if it is made the day before and chilled overnight in the refrigerator. It gives all the flavors time to marry. Serve with chips, crackers, cut carrot and celery sticks, whatever you like. ~Gina...
by Marsha | Nov 4, 2009 | Budget Friendly, Main Dishes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Recipes |
This is a classic dish that I see almost every time I go out to eat. I wanted to be able to eat this wonderful soup at home as well so I threw on my apron and came up with this recipe. This soup is great as a side dish with sandwiches or can be served as a main dish. 5 Tablespoons butter 1 Tablespoon olive oil 1 small onion chopped 1/3 cup flour 1 cup milk 1 cup of half and half (feel free to us the fat-free version) 2 cups of chicken broth (low sodium) or Vegetable broth 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 3 cups cooked and chopped broccoli 3 cups cheddar cheese salt and pepper to taste In a dutch oven or stew pot melt butter. Add olive oil and chopped onion. Cook over medium heat until onion is translucent. Using a whisk, stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes longer. Whisk in milk, half and half and chicken broth. Add garlic powder and broccoli and stir until mixture starts to thicken. Add cheese and season to taste. Continue cooking over medium heat until cheese has melted. Serve hot. ~Marsha...
