Banana bread

I don't know about you but my family just loves banana bread. I haven't made it other than a box before (haha...I know!). So I set out to make a loaf. I was going to use my bread maker for the whole thing. Instead I used it for the mixing part (don't bother...can do the same with a bowl and a hand mixer). The recipe I made turned out not to sweet and I didn't put nuts in it. 

Once it was done, I pulled it out and let it sit. My fur-baby was going nutso...mommy making something I MUST have!!!

Here is the recipe...

Banana Bread

Ingredients

3 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup ripe and mashed bananas (took 1.5 large bananas for me)
2 cups all purpose flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt

Optional

1/2-3/4 cup of Walnuts

Directions

Mix all the ingredients together.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a loaf pan (9x5 is best)

Once all ingredients are mixed, pour them into the loaf pan.

Bake for 45-60 min at 350. Once the tester or toothpick comes out clean it is done. (My gas oven cooked for 45 mins)

Let cool for 10 minutes, then take it out of the pan and let it sit on a parchment covered wire rack. 

Enjoy!

Chocolate peanut butter mug cake

My youngest wanted me to make him something in a mug. He loves that he can pretty much make it himself and clean up is super easy. I like the fact that there isn't so much left over (although my hubby would love for there to be. 

My kids are on sugar restriction (one is allergic to sugar, the other well just to make my life easier only gets it every 5 days like the other). So I try to make it special when it does come to sugar day. Now they do have a choice of what they want, one wants candy the other cookies or whatever that is cool with me. Hence why I like the single serve mug things.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake

Ingredients

Dry:
1/4 cup AP Flour
2 tbls sugar
2 tbls unsweetened cocoa
1/4 tsp baking powder

Wet:
1/4 cup milk
1/4 tsp vanilla
2 tbls butter melted and cooled

Extras:
1 tbls peanut butter (can use creamy or crunchy)
1 tbls chocolate chips (mini or standard)

Directions

1. Put the dry ingredients into a small bowl, whisk until all combined.
2. Add wet ingredients and mix until fully combined.
3. Scrap the bowl and put it into a mug (we used a 12 oz mug with a napkin under it in case it overflowed, it didn't though).
4. Mix the extras together until combined and then drop it into the center of the mug, push it down until it is level or covered by the chocolate cake.
5. Microwave for 1 minute, allow to cool for a couple minutes. Enjoy!

Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas

My family loves enchiladas...me I love my crock pot! So for me this is a win-win!!

Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas

Ingredients:

4 Chicken Breast (cooked and shredded
1 cup chopped onions
½ cup chopped green pepper
16 ounce can red kidney beans, drained
15 ounce can black beans, drained
15 ounce can corn, drained
1 - 14 ounce can Enchilada sauce
10 ounces cream of anything soup (not in powdered form)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon cumin
1-1/2 teaspoon chili powder
3 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese/ shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup kept out separate)
6 Large flour tortillas


Directions:

Mix together the enchilada sauce, cream of anything soup (not powdered form), chili powder, cumin, and black pepper. Set aside. Mix together the black beans, kidney beans, corn, chopped onions and chopped peppers. Set it aside also.

1. Layer ½ of the chicken in the bottom of the crock pot.
2. Put 2 tortillas on top of the shredded chicken.
3. Put ½ of the bean, corn, onion and pepper mixture on the chicken. 
4. Pour ½ of the enchilada sauce and seasoning mixture on top.
5. Sprinkle half of the 1 cup cheese set aside on top.
6.Repeat the layering again (chicken, tortillas, beans & corn mixture, enchilada sauce mixture and remaining 1/2 cup cheese).
7. Place remaining 2 tortillas on top.
8. Top with shredded Mexican Blend cheese/cheddar cheese.
9. Cook on high 3-1/2 hours or low 6 hours. 

Serve with your choice of toppings. We like sour cream, black olives and sliced avocado.

Moroccan Beef Stew

We (by that I mean me) like the family (with exception to my picky self) to try new things. =-)

This time it was a Moroccan Beef Stew. The boys weren't so sure about it I think as they saw the apricots sitting on the stove re-hydrating. In the end though it was two thumbs up from all 3 of them (hubby and the two boys). They really enjoyed it, wasn't to sweet they said. 

Moroccan Beef Stew (Pressure cooker)

Ingredients:

1 - large sweet onion (sliced thin)

2 garlic cloves (crushed or sliced) - if you don't have any fresh you can use dry garlic

1-1/2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-1/2 inch cubes

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp fresh black pepper

1/4 tsp turmeric

1/4 tsp saffron threads

1 cup dried apricots, soaked in hot water for at least 30 minutes, drained

Topping:

Sesame seeds (optional)

Directions:

Spread the onion and garlic in the pressure cooker bottom. Rinse the beef cubes and add them to the pot. Then add the olive oil, cinnamon, salt, pepper, turmeric, and saffron to the pot. Stir it all together. Place the lid on and lock it. Cook for 12 minutes on pressure. In the meantime, in a glass measuring cup, place 1 cup of dried apricots. Cover with water, and microwave on high for 3 minutes. Remove, and set aside to let the fruit re-hydrate.

Once the meat has come to pressure, quick release the pressure. Remove the lid carefully once it is done, add the apricots and cook for another 12 minutes. Make the rice or couscous at this time. 

Serve hot, over couscous or rice, top with sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Homemade Tortellini Soup

It is one of those things, to covet and enjoy on a cold day or hot day! Tortellini soup is one of my families favorites. I have a great recipe and it is easy to make too. TJ is Trader Joe's, we love them!

Tortellini Soup

Ingredients:

1 box of Trader Joe's tomato soup (for those without a TJ, you need 16oz of a tomato soup, either you make it or use condensed - if condensed you must add water, just fill up the two cans)

1 jar of TJ's Julienne Sun dried tomatoes - optional

2 tbls Olive Oil

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 pint (2 cups) heavy whipping cream (you can use milk or half and half, it just won't be as rich tasting)

1 tbls Oregano

1 tbls Basil

1 tsp Onion powder

1 tsp Garlic Powder (or 2 garlic cloves)

2 cups Chicken or Vegetable Broth

1 bag of TJ Tortellini Pasta

Topping:

Parmesan cheese

Directions:

If you are using garlic cloves, put them in the pot first with the olive oil, if not add all but the noodles into the pot with the exception of the Parmesan cheese that is for the top. Bring to a boil, add pasta (use directions on the pacakge). 

Serve up in a bowl with some Parmesan cheese topped on it. YUMMY Enjoy!!!!

From Scratch/Homemade "Hamburger Helper" Cheesy Mac & Cheese Burger

My husband and kids love this! To make it Veg'n you just need to add a meat alternative. Super quick and easy to make. I had all the spices, milk already on hand, meat in freezer. 

From Scratch/Homemade "Hamburger Helper" Cheesy Mac & Cheese Burger

Prep Time: 2 minutesCook Time: 15 minutesTotal Time: 20 minutes

Yield: Makes 4-6 Servings

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef

• 2 1/2 cups milk

• 1 1/2 cups hot water

• 2 cups macaroni (I use Trader Joe's Elbow Noodles)

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 2 teaspoons garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 3/4 teaspoon paprika

• 1 tablespoon chili powder /caynenne pepper *Optional (I don't use it)

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, brown until cooked thoroughly. Drain any fat. Add the pasta, milk, water and spices and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and turn the heat down to simmer. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is Al Dente. Add the cheese and stir to combine. Serve immediately.

Until Later...

Vanilla Coffee Creamer...

My husband loves the International Delights French Vanilla Coffee creamer, but boy is that stuff expensive! So I set out to make him some. I asked him do you like it milk consistency or thicker. He said thicker, eyeing me and says "Are you making me creamer?!" I told him I was because he was out and didn't want to go to the store. I mean come on how hard can this be? I make all our own bread, buns, instant oatmeal packs, etc.

Vanilla Coffee Creamer

1 qt mason jar
1 1/2 cups milk or half and half or whipping cream (use combinations of one or the other depending on the consistency you like!)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 tbls vanilla *if you don't want vanilla you could use other flavorings*

Put all the ingredients into the mason jar and shake very well! Every time you use it shake it. Lasts two weeks in the fridge!

Watching your weight or calorie intake, use skim milk, and low fat sweetened condensed milk (green wrapper on the can).

Until later...