Kourabiethes (Greek Christmas Cookies)

I found this recipe in the Friend Magazine 3 years ago. They are so yummy. I have to search really hard to find them every year. I am posting the recipe here so I don't have to look so hard next year. They look really fancy, but are super easy to make...everyone will be impressed if you make them for your friends.

1 cup butter

1 cup powdered sugar, plus more for rolling

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

3 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking powder

1. 1. 
   Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. 2. 
   Put the butter and powdered sugar in a bowl and beat them together until fluffy.
3. 3. 
   Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract and beat to combine.
4. 4. 
   Put the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix them together.
5. 5. 
   Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix.
6. 6. 
   Roll dough into small balls. Then form them into crescent shapes.
7. 7. 
   Place cookies on a cookie sheet and bake at 350°F (177°C) for 15–20 minutes.
8. 8. 
   Remove cookies from oven. Cool cookies slightly and roll them in powdered sugar.

Pineapple Cheeseball

I really like this cheese ball recipe. My friend in Provo gave me the recipe and I use it every year. I usually 1/2 the recipe because it is just our little family. Also, make sure you drain the pineapple really well or else the cheese ball will be hard to form into a ball. Sometimes I will chill the mixture first and then form into a ball and roll in the pecans.

If you have time post some yummy appetizer/snack recipes you are making this Christmas. Let the eating begin! ;)

8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1 T green onion minced
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 T chopped green pepper (optional)

Mix all ingredients together except the pecans and green peppers. Roll into a ball & roll in pecans. Chill before serving.

Cranberry Salsa

If you do nothing else this holiday season, make this salsa. It is so, so, so good!

However, only add one jalapeno unless you like things spicy!

Should have taken a picture of mine. It was quite pretty and festive!

http://haverecipes-willcook.blogspot.com/2010/12/cranberry-salsa.html

Wedding Reception Sugar Cookies

Anytime I go to make sugar cookies, I have to look up the recipe that we used for my wedding reception (thanks, Angi!). To save me from having to go back to my email every time to find the recipe, I figured I would post it here so that it would be easy to find and you all can make delicious cookies as well.

Here is the link to the cookies:
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/12/sugar-cookies/

And here is the link to the raspberry cream cheese frosting (it makes A LOT!))

http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/2010/12/sugar-cookies-with-raspberry-and-cream-cheese-frosting.html

Do NOT make the sugar cookies on that page. They taste like flour!

Sandwich Loaf

When Nate and I were dating I went to visit him in Wyoming. His mom made a yummy Reuben sandwich for  dinner one night. Instead of making individual sandwiches she made one huge loaf. I made the Reuben loaf on Monday and then started thinking I really could make any kind of sandwich loaf I wanted. I just made a pizza loaf and think it is going to turn out great! Another one I am thinking about trying is a ham and cheese loaf. I am pretty excited to send this for Nate's lunch tomorrow and take it with me and the kids while we are out and about tomorrow. I am really tired of PB&J.

You all should try making one of these. :) I even took pictures to show you how to finish it off.

Here is the basic roll recipe.

1/3 c. instant powdered milk
1 c. flour
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 c hot tap water
1/4 c butter or shortening
1/4 c. sugar
1 T yeast
2 eggs

Stir together dry ingredients. Add hot water. Mix until smooth, about 1 minute. Add eggs and shortening. Mix until smooth  Add 1 cup more flour. Beat for a few minutes. Let dough rest 10 min. Add 1 cup flour and beat a few minutes. Let dough rest 10 min. Add enough flour to make the dough sticky, but not so sticky it sticks to your fingers. (at this point I usually just add another cup let it rest and then add whatever I think it needs. You are supposed to do this about 8 times, but I don't have the patience for that so I skip some steps) Knead dough and let rise in a warm place. When doubled in size roll out into a long rectangle and put on desired toppings. Look at the pictures to see how I assembled it. I made one huge loaf and then cut it in half and place each half on a cookie sheet. Let the loafs rise and bake 325 for about 20 minutes or until dough is cooked through and top is brown.

Coconut Cream Pie of My Dreams!

We made this over Thanksgiving and it was AMAZING! Seriously. If you make it, make sure you have friends to share it with or you will eat it all for yourself and then have post pie regrets!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/freezer-caramel-drizzle-pie/detail.aspx

Spring Rolls: Almost a Pintrosity!

OK. So I made these spring rolls the other night and they turned out pretty good, I thought. It could have gone way wrong if I had made them as spicy as they say too, but luckily logic kicked in for me and I didn't!

Here are some tips if you are going to make them:

• Spring roll wrappers are NOT by where the egg roll and wonton wrappers are. They are by the Asian food and are in a package. They are dried brittle circles that you soak in water! Not was I was looking for in the first four stores I went to.
• The recipe calls for 4 TBS of crushed chillies. I think they may mean tsp.  But either way, I would leave this out. I only put 1 TBS in, and it was too spicy. They would have been really yummy without any.
• Be generous with the noodles. They taste yummy. Also, she doesn't really say what to do with the rice vinegar. I just poured some over the noodles once they were done cooking and drained.

I think that is it. Enjoy!

http://basil-albi.blogspot.ca/2011/10/spring-rolls-with-spicy-peanut-sauce.html

Chalupa

I remember mom making this when I was in high school. Someone in my ward shared this recipe with me and I tried it today. I am looking for any kind of yummy crock pot meal I can get right now so if any of you want to post some of your favorites I would really appreciate it. :)

1 lb pinto beans (dried)
2-3 lb. pork roast
7 cups water
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 minced garlic cloves
1 Tbsp. salt
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp. cumin
1 tsp. oregano
14 oz. green chili

Put everything in a large crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours. We served it with chips, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, and salsa. Avocados would also be super yummy on top.

Chicken Salad

http://www.theredheadedhostess.com/home-and-family/my-recipes/yummy-chicken-salad-sandwich/

This was a really good recipe, I just used the canned chicken and it was delicious. We just put it on wheat bread like sandwiches.

Almond Blondies

Today is a monumental day. I was actually in the kitchen cooking!!! This is the first thing I have cooked in 2 months! I have been super sick with morning sickness and haven't been able to cook. I am starting to feel a little better and decided to make dessert for family night tonight. I saw this recipe in a magazine and had to try it.

2 cups packed brown sugar

2/3 cup butter, cut up

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 cups chopped almonds

Preheat oven 350. Grease 9x13 pan. In medium sauce pan heat brown sugar and butter until butter melts. Cool slightly. Add eggs. Then add vanilla, flour, baking powder and baking soda.

Spread in pan and sprinkle with almonds. Bake 25-30 minutes. 

salsa verde pork

This is VG on grandma's rating scale. Seriously so yummy and easy to make.

http://www.chef-in-training.com/2012/08/slow-cooker-salsa-verde-pork/

Mexican Tortilla Wraps

This is one of my favorite finger foods to take when I need to take food to a party or something. They are really easy to make and super tasty.




Ingredients:
2 cups of shredded cheese (I used a Mexican mix).
1 package (8 oz) of cream cheese, softened
4 oz of chopped black olives
4 oz of chopped green chilies
Salsa to taste (sorry, don't have an exact amount)
1/2 a bunch green onions, sliced

You mix everything together, and then spread it onto flour tortillas. Roll up the tortillas, refrigerate, and slice.

Tomato and Basil Pasta

This one is for Amy with her abundance of tomatoes and basil. Mom and I made this the other day and it turned out pretty good. I think you could grill a piece of chicken to cut up in it and it would be tasty too. We put more Parmesan cheese on top because we are both believers that there is never too much Parmesan!

http://kitchentrialanderror.blogspot.com/2010/08/creamy-tomato-pasta.html

Babyback Ribs

I have never made ribs, but decided to make some for Lincoln's birthday this year. Tonight we had the 2nd 1/2 of the ribs I froze and I decided you all should try this recipe. I couldn't get Lucy to stop eating. She kept asking me why I wasn't filling myself up and I told her that I did. She wants me to go buy more tomorrow so we can have them again. :) We used Stubbs BBQ sauce and it was yummy!

Campfire Cones

You just grab anything that you love and put it in a cone.
We used

• milk chocolate chips
• peanut butter chips
• golden grams
• waffle cones

Put everything in the cone and wrap it in tin foil. Put it on the fire and let it all melt together. They are super good, easy, and surprisingly not messy at all. We will be making these again :)

Mom's Caramel Popcorn

I am mostly posting this so that I don't have to call mom or email one of you every time I want to make Mom's popcorn, which is quite often. I love that stuff. It is so sugary and sticky and good. Perfect actually.

Here's the recipe (thanks, Amy for sending it to me and Mom for texting it to me from the recipe book in your brain!)


Ingredients:

• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 cup light carol syrup
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cube margarine or butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• big bowl of popcorn

Directions

Bring sugar and syrup to hard ball, stir condensed milk in until it boils. Add butter till melted. Take from heat add vanilla pour over popcorn.

Enjoy!

Pineapple Curry...Straight from Thailand

I thought I would give Amy something yummy to use her basil for. Italian food is good and all, but basil is way better used in Thai food! It's a staple there! So here you go:

Ingredients

2 tbs thai red curry paste*

1 can coconut milk

1can water (less if you want it to be creamier)

2 chicken bouillon cubes

2 chicken breasts diced

2 medium zucchini

1tbs fish sauce or 1 tsp salt

Mushrooms

1 can pineapple chunks

fresh basil leaves

*Note: You can use more or less curry paste depending on how spicy you like it! sometimes I start with just 1 TBS and then later add another if I want it spicier or think that whoever I am making it for can handle it!)

Directions:

1. Heat a little oil in a pan and then put in the curry paste. Cook it until it is fragrant (won't take long and everyone in your house will be coughing).

2. Add the coconut milk, water, and bouillon cubes. When it is boiling, add the chicken and let it cook in the mixture.

3. When the chicken is cooked, add the zucchnini, pineapple (drained),  fish sauce or salt, and mushrooms. Let cook until boiling.

4. Test and see if it is tasty. If not, add a little more curry paste, fish sauce or salt, pineapple juice (or sugar).

5. When you get it to where you like it, remove from heat and add basil leaves to the top and cover for another few minutes.

6. Serve over rice...Jasmine is the best :)

Yum! Maybe I should make some.

This recipe can be easily adapted for other curries. If you want a green curry, follow all the steps, but omit the pineapple part. I'll try to get you another good basil recipe in the next week or so.

Basil Recipe #2

I thought I would put a picture of our garden in this post so you guys can see how well plants grown out here. With all the water and heat we get everything just goes crazy. I love it!

Here is another recipe I love the uses basil. This is SUPER easy to make. It is usually my go-to meal in the summers when I haven't planned anything and the kids are hungry. I don't have the exact recipe written down because I got it from a library cookbook last summer. Here is the basic recipe.

1 pkg linguine noodles (or spaghetti)
1 pkg frozen broccoli (or fresh if you have it)
1/2-1 cup pesto (make it ahead of time and freeze it)
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
1/4-1/2 cup Parmesan

Cook noodles. Add pesto, cooked broccoli, and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and Parmesan.

I Love Basil

I planted a TON of basil in my garden this year. I hope the kids and Nate don't get tired of basil any time soon. ;) I thought I would post a few of my favorite recipes using basil.

Angel Hair Pasta with Tomatoes

Ingredients:	8 oz dried angel hair (or other pasta. I use the multigrain kind) 1 T. plus 1/3 c. extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil 3 T. chopped fresh Italian parsley 2 T. minced fresh garlic 2 T. minced shallots 1 1/2 lbs. fresh tomatoes, diced 1 cup coarsely crumbled feta cheese (I use 1/2 cup of reduced-fat feta) 1/2 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese 1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted 1/4 c. shaved Parmesan cheese Salt to taste
Directions:	Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Stir in the pasta and cook al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid. Toss the hot pasta in a large bowl with 1 T. olive oil to prevent sticking. Set the pasta and reserved cooking liquid aside. Heat the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil in a deep, large nonstick frying pan over high heat. Add the basil, parsley, garlic and shallots and stir just until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add the tomatoes and saute just until they are heated through, about 45 seconds. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the salt, to taste ( go easy, remember cheeses have a lot of salt). Stir in the feta and the shredded Parm. Add the pasta and toss gently to combine, adding some of the reserved cooking liquid to moisten, if necessary. Mound the pasta on a large platter and sprinkle with pine nuts and shaved Parm, if desired, and serve immediately.

The Ultimate Granola

I am sure most of you are avoiding using your oven, but I wanted to post this yummy granola recipe before I forgot about it. My favorite thing about this recipe is that you don't have to stir the granola!! You just put it in the oven and 1 hour later you pull out your masterpiece.

2 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup whole almonds
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds, unsalted
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup flaked unsweetened coconut
1/4 cup walnut pieces
1 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup raisins

Measure the oats, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, coconut and walnuts onto rimmed cookie sheet. Mix well.

Combine the maple syrup and vanilla in a separate small bowl. Add the syrup mixture to the oat mixture and stir until evenly distributed. Sprinkle the cinnamon evenly on top of the mixture and blend well.

Spread the granola evenly on the baking sheet and bake at 225 F for 1 hour.

Remove and set aside to cool. Toss in the cranberries and raisins. (We have been adding fresh or frozen berries into our bowls instead of the dried fruit)

Cooking with Paula

For the Young Women's fundraiser auction I bid on a cooking class from a lady in my ward who is an amazing chef. I wanted to post a few recipes from the cooking class here so you can try them.

Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

We didn't really measure any of these ingredients because it will all depend on how large or small your salad is and also how you want it to taste. I tried to guess on the measurements, but really it will be good no matter what you do. The main ingredients to adjust would be the vinegar and the oil depending on how you want it to taste.

Also, she had me mix the dressing in the salad bowel so then I didn't get another bowl dirty and I could just toss the salad with the dressing. Brilliant.

1-2 tsp dried basil
1-2 tsp dried oregano
1 clove garlic minced
1 1/2 T Dijon mustard
3 T vinegar
3 T olive oil

Mix and toss with salad. YUMMY!

Rosemary Garlic Green Beans

I can never think of a good way to make green beans for a side dish. This recipe was good. Again, no real measurements, but depends on how many you are cooking.

2 cups vegetable or chicken broth (she used Better than Bouillon and it was super good)
1 tsp ground or fresh rosemary (this would be a great way to use your herb gardens mom made)
1 clove garlic minced

Add green beans so they are above the water about 1/2". Simmer on stove for about 5-10 minutes.

Cooking with Rhubarb Part 2—BBQ Sauce

OK. So here is one more. It is going to sound weird, but it was actually really good: rhubarb BBQ sauce.

Here's the recipe.

http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/condiments/rhubarb-bbq-sauce/

It turns out a little spicy, a little tangy, a little sweet, and really yummy on a pulled pork sandwich!

One More—Rhubarb Bread

I took the day off, so I got some baking in. We have FIVE huge rhubarb plants growing in our back yard. I haven't ever cooked with rhubarb...pretty sure I have never even eaten it before today. But here is a bread recipe I made. I was pretty skeptical, but it turned out good...sweet and sour! Don't be scared.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/rhubarb-bread-i/

If any of you run into a rhubarb recipe that looks good, send it on and I'll test it out for you. Or if you want some rhubarb to cook with, come get some!

Raspberry Vinaigarette

I made this today to eat with the lettuce growing in our backyard. The salad looks too fancy to just eat regular dressing on it. I thought this was pretty good.

http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2012/05/raspberry-poppy-seed-vinaigrette.html

Rice and Bean Burritos

This was so so so good!!! First recipe off of Pinterest that was actually good! http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/spicy-bean-and-rice-burritos/

Suzi's Hot Fudge

1/2 c. butter
1 pkg. chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/3 c. karo syrup

melt together in a pan and enjoy! (those were Suzi's specific instructions)
keep leftovers in a the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave

Chicken Tikka Masala

I got this recipe from a girl from my mission a few years ago and when I made it for Grandma Cindy she said I should post it.  It looks like a lot but is fairly quick and easy.  This is the girl's blog amysep.blogspot.com

1/2 c. Greek yogurt
1 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
3/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 tsp. salt

mix together and marinade 2 breasts of chicken cubed for 1 hour
heat 1 tsp. olive oil in a pan and cook marinated chicken until the yogurt evaporates, set chicken aside.

1 1/2 tsp. butter
2 garlic cloves minced
3/4 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. paprika
1 small can tomato sauce
1/4-1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
2 Tbsp. fresh chopped cilantro
Naan bread or Basmati Rice

melt butter in the same skillet, saute garlic for 1 min.  Season with cumin and paprika.  Stir in tomato sauce and cream.  Simmer on low until sauce thickens.  Add chicken and cilantro.
Serve over Basmati rice or with Naan Bread (Both are at Trader Joe's) I like the brown Basmati rice or the whole wheat Naan Bread. This is a little spicy but so good!

Hoecakes

I got this recipe from Paula Dean, but of course I "healthy" it up a bit

1 Tbs. oil
1/3 c. + 1 Tbs. water
3/4 c. low fat buttermilk (I add vinegar or lemon juice to skim or 1% milk)
2 egg whites
1 egg
1 Tbs. sugar
1 c. self-rising whole wheat flour*
1 c. self-rising cornmeal*

mix together and cook like a pancake.  We put honey butter on them or homemade syrup.
*self-rising flour: 1 c. flour, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
*self-rising cornmeal: 3/4 c. cornmeal, 3 Tbs. flour, 1 Tbs. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt

Nadia's Salad Dressing

My best friend from Lehi used to make the best salad with a simple and fairly healthy dressing.  Here it is, I think you will love it.

1/4 c. lemon juice
1/4 c. olive oil
1 clove garlic minced
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

This makes enough for 2-3 whole salads.  I just pour a little on the entire salad and mix it all up.  The kids love it too!

Pasta Bake

We made this for lunch today. I was a little skeptical of it, but it turned out really good. and it was easy to make.

http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2012/04/cheesy-sausage-and-tomato-shells.html

This Recipe is for Dan! :)

Black Bean Burgers
Ingredients:	1 can black beans, undrained 1 can green chilies, undrained (4 oz.) 1 cup bread crumbs 1 t. chili powder 1 large egg, beaten 1/4 c. cornmeal 2 T. oil 6 buns, toasted 1 T. mayo 1 1/4 c. lettuce 3 T. salsa
Directions:	In a food processor, mash beans. Mix together with green chilis, bread crumbs, chili powder, and egg. Form into patties 1/2 inch thick and coat in cornmeal (it will be very sticky). Oil a skillet (preferably non-stick) and heat over medium heat. Cook patties 5-10 minutes, turning half-way through. Serve on buns with mayo, salsa and lettuce. (We also like cheese and avocado!) These are also great served with sweet potato home fries.

Grilled Vegetable Sandwiches

I made this for dinner last night and it was yummy. I love grilled vegetables, sandwiches, and balsamic vinegar so really I was pretty excited about this recipe.

Marinade:

1/2 c. olive oil

1/3 c. balsalmic vinegar

1/4 c. brown sugar

1 Tbsp. oregano

1 tsp garlic salt

Mix ingredients together. Marinate onions, peppers, zuchinni, eggplant, mushrooms, etc. (I very roughly chopped the veggies...1/4 the bell peppers and onion...) Grill or bake them on a cookie sheet in a 400 F oven stirring every 10 minutes. Serve on toasted French bread with cheese (we used feta). Spread some of the leftover marinade on toasted bread.

Update to Blog

I added a label gadget to our blog. It's on the right-hand side. I also went back through and labeled all the posts we already have in there—you can change them, add to them, or delete them as you want.

So when you write new posts, you can label it by writing the name of the label in the box under the main text box. I thought this would be a fun way for us to categorize things and find them easily.

Black Bean Soup

http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/2011/04/black-bean-soup.html

This was really really yummy and Brandon even liked it!

Yummy Hummus

This hummus recipe is super yummy and easy. I made it without the roasted red peppers and it was good. Next time I will put forth the extra effort and put them in to see how it tastes. I seriously couldn't stop eating this stuff, it was amazing!

Yummy Chicken

I made this last night it was so easy and so yummy!

http://www.southernplate.com/2008/10/grilled-chicken-tenderloins-without.html

Rumbi Rice Bowls

I think Angi introduced me to Rumbi Rice Bowls probably 5 years ago and I was excited to find this recipe. I make this teriyaki sauce and put some chili garlic sauce in it to taste instead of making the sauce they have listed. It is super yummy!

http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/2011/04/our-version-of-rumbi-rice-bowls-with-rumbi-rice.html

Yummy Tuna Casserole

I'm not sure those three words have ever been linked together in my vocabulary in the past---yummy tuna casserole. That has all changed when tonight I made a super yummy tuna casserole. Here is a link to the recipe: http://www.ourbestbites.com/2012/02/tuna-noodle-casserole/

Gyoza (Pot Stickers)

1 lb. ground pork or beef
4 cloves garlic minced (we always add more)
1/2 cabbage finely chopped (I use my mini chopper and do it in batches...or a food processor would work great)
4-6 green onions chopped
2 tsp. soy sauce
1 tsp minced ginger

Package round pot sticker wrappers

Soy sauce and rice vinegar to dip (the proportions are about 1:1, with a little more vinegar)

Mix together well. Fill skins with about 1 spoonful of mixture. Fry in oil until bottom is golden brown. Then add 1/4 cup water to pan and cover until water is boiled away, about 4 minutes.

The package of wrappers should show you how to fold them. :)

Serve with rice. Dip pot stickers in soy sauce/rice vinegar mixture and eat. Eat with edamame recipe I posted earlier. YUMMY!!

Another request...

Amy will you post your recipe for pot stickers?!

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Anyone have a good recipe for stuffed bell peppers? We have some ground hamburger we need to use and I thought that would be tasty.

Banana Nut Muffins

If you can't tell, I have been doing a lot of baking this winter. I have been making all sorts of bread (naan, pitas, English muffins...). I checked out a sweet cookbook from the library called Artisan Bread in Five Minutes A Day. You should all check it out. It is nice because the baking warms up our apartment. :) It got really cold here this weekend.

Anyway, I love this muffin recipe. I have been making it for a long time. Jenny and I used to make it instead of going on jogs when we lived in Provo. I thought the rest of you might want to try it too. I like to make it in my mini muffin tin and it makes a perfect snack for the kids.

1 1/2 cups flour (I used 1 c. whole wheat 1/2 c. white)

1 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup toasted wheat germ

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 T. baking powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

2 ripe bananas, mashed

3/4 cup milk

5 Tbsp. melted butter (I usually use oil)

1 egg

cinnamon sugar (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Fit 12 muffin cups with paper liners. Coat each with cooking spray.

2. Mix flour, walnuts, wheat germ, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg in large bowl. Stir in bananas, milk, butter, and egg. Mix until just blended.

3. Fill muffin cups evenly with batter. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, if desired.

4. Bake muffins for about 20-22 minutes (shorter for small muffin tin). Cool 1 minute, then remove from the muffin pan and cool on a wire rack.

Veggie and Noodles With Thai Coconut Curry Sauce

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/07/veggies-and-noodles-with-thai-coconut-curry-sauce/

This is sooooo good! I think you will all love it!

Oven Rice

Per Becky's request....

2 1/4 C. Water
3 T. butter
3 chicken bouillon cubes
1/4 tsp celery salt

Microwave ingredients until boiling

Put 1 C. white rice in a square casserole dish. Sprinkle with 2 tsp. parsley flakes and 1 T. dried onion.

Pour boiling mixture over rice. Cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Winger's Sticky Finger Wraps

Okay, out here in Payson, AZ we are somewhat restaurant deprived. I found a recipe for sticky fingers and we made copycat wraps tonight for dinner...all we were missing was the popcorn!

8-12 breaded chicken tenders
Sauce:
1 1/2 C. brown sugar
6 Tbs. Frank's hot sauce
4 Tbs. water

Bake chicken according to package directions.
Heat up ingredients for the sauce on the stove top.
Pour sauce over chicken tenders once they are baked.

Place sticky fingers in a tortilla and top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and ranch.
We had ours with baked sweet potato fries and celery sticks.

Lemon Cookies...

I made these last night and they are pretty good. They kind of taste like lemon bars without the eggy flavor.

http://www.fortheloveofcooking.net/2012/01/lemon-crinkles.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FOlvyH+%28For+the+Love+of+Cooking%29

Enjoy!

BFF White Bean Chilli

I first made this with Katie Halverson when I was up visiting Seattle. It has since become one of my favorites...and Corlan's too. Hope you guys like it!

Ingredients:
1 Tbs olive oil
1 C onion chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
2 chicken breasts baked and shredded
1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth (I normally end up adding more)
2 (16 ounce) can white beans
1 (4 ounce) can green chilies (I really like green chillies so I add more)
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp cumin
monteray jack cheese
cilantro chopped

1. Cook onions, garlic, and chicken in oil
2. Mix remaining ingredients together except cheese and cilantro
3. Cook on stovetop until flavors are mixed
4. Serve with cheese and cilantro and tortilla chips if you want.

Whole Wheat Bagels

I made bagels this week and they turned out really yummy. Mom wanted me to send her the recipe, but I decided to post it here for everyone. We have been making bagel sandwiches with them for lunch. It has been a nice change from PB&J. They are also really yummy with Nutella on them! :)

1 Tbsp yeast

1 1/2 cups warm water

4 1/4- 4 1/2 cups flour (I use 2 cups wheat and the rest white flour)

3 Tbsp sugar

1 Tbsp salt

Combine yeast with 2 cups flour. Add warm water; sugar; salt. Mix (with regular Kitchen Aide hook). Add flour to make a moderately stiff dough (use dough hook). Knead on floured board until smooth (or in Kitchen Aide). Cover. Let rest 15 min. Divide into 12 parts. Shape into smooth balls. Punch hole with finger in center of each ball. Pull gently to enlarge hole. Cover. Let rise 20 min. (I put the stove on warm and let them sit on top and it worked well). Boil 1 gallon water with 1 tsp sugar. Cook bagels 4 at a time for 7 min. (turn once). Drain on cooling rack and pat dry with paper towel. Bake on ungreased pan at 375F for 30-35 min. After 10 min. brush with 1 beaten egg white mixed with 1 Tbsp cold water. Finish baking.

Peanut Butter Balls

I made these tonight and they were super yummy and fun to make. If you can imagine Lincoln ate about 15 of them. Make them and you will be hooked!

Ingredients:

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup toasted wheat germ

1 cup crisped rice cereal (rice krispies)

Toppings: shredded coconut, finely chopped nuts, toasted wheat germ, melted chocolate, or crushed graham crackers.

Mix ingredients together in mixer. Place wax paper on a cookie sheet. Roll mixture into balls and roll into toppings. Place on cookie sheet and cool for a while. Enjoy.

Grandma Moo's Chili

Tonight for dinner I made Grandma's chili. I was laughing the whole time I was making it because of how much I loved it as a kid. I thought I would post it here for everyone to enjoy, especially Angi...you love that stuff right! j/k! Anyway, I was desperate for dinner and this recipe came to mind. If nothing else it brought back lots of good memories of visiting Grandma. :)

2 cans kidney beans

1 lb. browned hamburger (I used ground turkey and it was VG)

2 cans Italian stewed tomatoes

1 can tomato sauce (or ketchup)

1-2 T. chili powder

1 envelope Lipton's soup mix

Mix well and let simmer.

BBQ Chicken Salad

This is a MUST try!!!! I made it for mom last night and she requested it be put on the blog.

http://amyscott.squarespace.com/journal/2009/7/27/bbq-chicken-salad.html