Brown Sugar Muffins

1/2 c butter, softened
1 egg
2 c flour
1 c brown sugar
1 tsp soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 c milk


Mix all together as little as possible.  Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.  Makes 16 muffins.

Poppy Seed Muffins

3 c flour
2 TBS poppy seed
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
3 eggs
1 c vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp almond extract

Mix dry ingredients together.  Then add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Breakfast Cake (Coffee Cake)

1 1/2 c flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 c shortening
3/4 c sugar
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 c milk

Mix all ingredients together for 1/2 minute.  Spread into greased 9x13 inch cake pan.  Sprinkle topping over batter.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.



Topping:
2/3 c brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c flour
6 TBS butter (firm)

Mix together before spreading over batter

Frosted Banana Cookies

3/4 c. shortening or butter
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c brown sugar
1 tsp soda
2 mashed bananas
2 c flour

Cream together shortening and sugar.  Add in egg and vanilla.  Mix in dry ingredients, then bananas.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.  Cool and frost.  Makes 3 dozen.



Frosting:
3 TBS brown sugar
3 TBS cream or milk
3 TBS butter

Bring to a boil and remove from heat.  Add 1/2 tsp vanilla and enough powdered sugar to spreading consistency.

Yummy Chicken Noodle Bake

Cook a bag of ziti noodles (or any you like)
Steam a bag of broccoli chunks
Boil some chicken, or use cooked shredded chicken
Cook two packets of chicken gravy
Saute 1 diced red pepper in 3 TBS of oil

1 can corn
1-2 c shredded cheese (I use Mexican blend)


Put cooked shredded or cut chicken on the bottom of a cooked 9" X 13" pan.  Then put on the bag of drained noodles.  Next add the cooked gravy.  Then add the sauteed red peppers with extra oil.  The next layer add the broccoli chunks and a can of corn.  Last layer it with shredded cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  

Easy Pizza Noodles

Brown 1 lbs hamburger
While doing hamburger, cook a bag of noodles (my kids like ziti)
Mix 1 c sour cream and 1 large can of garlic tomato sauce (or add garlic and other spices to 4  8 oz cans of tomato sauce)
1-2 c grated cheese (I use Mexican)

Layer on a 13''x 9" greased pan.  Noodles on the bottom, then hamburger, and then the sauce mixture. Sprinkle with grated cheese on top.  Cover and cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  You can also freeze this, put it in a disposable aluminum pan and probably cook for 1 hour 15 minutes. (Guessing, I haven't kept track of the time yet). ( I have also used sausage instead of hamburger and it tasted pretty good).

Joan's Oklahoma Chocolate Cake

Bring to a boil in a large saucepan:
          1/2 c unsweetened cocoa
          1 c water
          2 sticks of margarine
Remove from heat and add:
          1/2 c buttermilk (Can use 1/2 c milk mixed with 1/2 tsp lemon juice that has sat out for 5 min)
          2 eggs
          1 tsp vanilla
Mix together and add to the above:
          2 c flour
          2 c sugar
          1 tsp baking soda

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes in a greased cookie sheet.  Frost when cooled.



Frosting:

Bring to boil:
          1 stick butter
          1/3 c unsweetened cocoa
          6 TBS buttermilk

Add:
          1 pound powdered sugar
          1 tsp vanilla

Wait until mostly cooled, then pour over cake.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sweet and Sour Chicken:  http://centercutcook.com/how-to-make-sweet-and-sour-chicken/

Ingredients
CHICKEN INGREDIENTS: 
3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 
1 cup corn starch 
2 eggs, beaten 
Salt, pepper, garlic powder for seasoning the chicken 
1/4 cup vegetable oil (more if needed) 
1 green pepper, cut into chunks (optional)
1 red or yellow bell pepper, cut into chunks (optional)
1 cup pineapple chunks (optional)

SAUCE INGREDIENTS: 
1 1/2 cups sugar 
1/2 cup ketchup 
1 cup vinegar 
1 1/2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce 
2 teaspoons garlic powder 
1/2 teaspoon coarse black pepper 

Directions
Pre-heat your oven to 325 degrees. Cut chicken into 1 inch chunks, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dip each piece of chicken in corn starch, then in egg. In a skillet, heat vegetable oil to medium-high heat and brown each piece of chicken on both sides. Place browned chicken in a large rimmed baking sheet. Add in pineapple and pepper chunks. In a large bowl whisk together all sauce ingredients and pour over the chicken. Bake in the oven for about an hour, turning the chicken every 15 minutes. Remove the chicken and vegetables from the pan, and pour remaining sauce into a bowl and serve alongside the chicken if you’d like extra sauce. Serve over rice and enjoy!

White Chicken and Spinach Lasagna

White Chicken and Spinach Lasagna:  http://www.melskitchencafe.com/white-chicken-and-spinach-lasagna/

Ingredients

Sauce:
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup chopped white or yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Lasagna:
• 9 no-boil lasagna noodles
• 2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
• 2-3 cups cooked chicken
• 1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 4 cups)
• 3 ounces Parmesan cheese (about 1 to 1 1/2 cups), reserve 1/4 cup for the top of the lasagna
• 2 (9-ounces each) packages baby spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a 9X13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until the onion is translucent and tender, 3-4 minutes. Stir in the flour and let it cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes.

Gradually add the chicken broth and milk while whisking vigorously. Continue cooking and stirring for 4-5 minutes until the mixture simmers and thickens. Stir in the basil, oregano, salt and pepper.

To assemble, spread about 1 to 1 1/2 cups sauce on the bottom of the prepared pan. Place 3 no-boil noodles on top and dollop with 1/2 of the ricotta. No need to spread the ricotta out into an even layer, although you can press it down a bit, just spoon it across. Add half of the chicken on top of the ricotta.

Layer on 1/2 of the chopped spinach. It will seem like a lot but just spread it evenly - it will cook down while baking. Sprinkle 1/2 of the mozzarella and 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese (don't forget to take out 1/4 cup of the Parmesan for sprinkling across the top!).

Place 3 noodles over the top, gently pressing down to compress the layers below. Spread 1/2 of the remaining sauce over the top. Repeat the layers again (remaining ricotta, chicken, spinach, mozzarella, Parmesan).

Place the last 3 noodles over the top, pressing down again. Spread the remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle with reserved Parmesan cheese.

Cover the baking dish with lightly greased aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.

Chewy Fudgy Homemade Brownies

Chewy Fudgy Homemade Brownies:  http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/04/30/chewy-fudgy-homemade-brownies/

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (115g) salted butter
• 8 ounces (228g) coarsely chopped quality semi-sweet chocolate
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (50g) light brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons (80g) all-purpose flour (measure this accurately)
• 2 Tablespoons (11g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (180g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

MILK CHOCOLATE FROSTING (OPTIONAL)

• 1 and 3/4 cups (210g) confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup (22g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 2 Tablespoons (30ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• salt, to taste

Directions

Melt the butter and chopped chocolate in a medium saucepan on medium heat, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes. Or melt in a medium microwave safe bowl in 20 second increments, stirring after each, in the microwave. Remove from the heat, pour into a large mixing bowl, and allow to slightly cool for 10 minutes.

Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line the bottom and sides of a 9x9 inch square baking pan* with aluminum foil, leaving an overhand on all sides. Set aside.

Whisk the granulated and brown sugars into the cooled chocolate/butter mixture. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking until smooth after each addition. Whisk in the vanilla. Gently fold in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Once combined, fold in the chocolate chips.

Pour batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 35-36 minutes or until the brownies begin to pull away from the edges of the pan. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with only a few moist crumbs when the brownies are done. All ovens are different, so keep an eye on them after 30 minutes and use the toothpick test to see when yours are finished.

Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift the foil out of the pan using the overhang on the sides and cut into squares. For neat squares, I use a very sharp knife and wipe it clean with a paper towel after each cut.

For the optional frosting: sift together the confectioners' sugar and cocoa powder to assure there are no lumps. Set aside. With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy - about 2 minutes. Gradually add the sifted sugar/cocoa powder alternately with the heavy cream and vanilla. Beat on low speed after each addition. Once all added, beat on high speed until creamy and combined for at least 2 minutes. Add a pinch of salt if frosting is too sweet. Frost the brownies before or after cutting into squares, whichever you prefer.

Garlic Cheese Bread Sticks

Cheesy Garlic Bread Sticks:  http://www.laurenslatest.com/fail-proof-pizza-dough-and-cheesy-garlic-bread-sticks-just-like-in-restaurants/

Ingredients
        Dough:
1/2 cup warm water
1 1/8 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 tablespoon honey (or sugar)
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive or canola oil
1 1/2 cups bread flour (give or take 1/4 cup)
        Toppings:
2 tablespoons softened salted butter
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 pound grated mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper, if desired

Directions
In a large mixing bowl, preferably that of a stand mixer, stir yeast and honey into warm water. Sit for 5-10 minutes or until bubbles form and mixture starts to foam. This tells you that the yeast is alive and kicking. Pour in salt, oil and half the flour and mix. Once that flour is incorporated, start adding flour in bit by bit until you get the pizza dough to the consistency you want: slightly tacky, but when you touch it it doesn't stick to your hands. Once you reach this stage, knead for 6 minutes. Turn a timer on and walk away! Resist the temptation to stop earlier than 6 minutes! That seems to be the magical number. The dough should be smooth and easy to work with. And the bowl should be clean! {*This is the point when you could freeze your dough!! Divide into portions, place into freezer bags, seal removing all air and freeze. To use, remove from freezer and let sit out to get to room temperature and double in size; 6-8 hours. Then use as you'd like.} Lightly grease the bowl & the dough so it doesn't dry out, cover with plastic wrap and let it rise 1-2 hours.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees with pizza stone inside. {If you don't have a pizza stone, use an upside down cookie sheet...a tip I got from Natalie!}
Mix butter and garlic in a small bowl and set aside.
Spread pizza dough out into a 12-inch circle on parchment paper. {This makes it easier to transfer to the pizza stone.}
Spread the butter and garlic mixture over dough and top with parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Top with a light sprinkling of salt and pepper, if desired. {That step is totally optional!}

Bake 9-10 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.

Olive Garden Copycat Zuppa Toscana Soup

Olive Garden Copycat Zuppa Toscana:  http://www.food.com/recipe/olive-garden-copycat-zuppa-toscana-38298

Ingredients
1 lb Italian sausage (if you don't have Italian sausage, you can turn normal ground sausage into it using this link)
2 large russet potatoes, sliced in half, then in 1/4 inch slices
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 cup bacon bits (optional)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups kale, swiss chard, or spinach, chopped
2 (8 ounce) cans chicken broth
1 quart water
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions
1.  Chop or slice uncooked sausage into small pieces.
2.  Brown sausage in your soup pot.
3.  Add chicken broth and water to pot and stir.
4.  Place onions, potatoes, and garlic in the pot (I also added about 1-2 cups shredded carrots).
5.  Cook on medium heat until potatoes are done.
6.  Add bacon.
7.  Salt and pepper to taste.
8.  Simmer for another 10 minutes.
9.  Turn to low heat.
10.  Add kale/swiss chard/spinach and cream.
11.  Heat through and serve.

Extra Easy Hummus

Extra Easy Hummus:  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/extra-easy-hummus/

Ingredients
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained, liquid reserved
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions
In a blender or food processor combine garbanzo beans, garlic, cumin, salt and olive oil.  Blend on low speed, gradually adding reserved bean liquid, until desired consistency is achieved.

Seedy Crisp Crackers

Seedy Crisps:  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/seedy-crisps-recipe.html

Ingredients
5 ounces whole-wheat flour
4 3/4 ounces all-purpose flour, plus additional for rolling
1/3 cup poppy seeds
1/3 cup sesame seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons table salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3 tablespoons olive oil
6 1/2 ounces water

Directions
In a medium bowl wisk together both flours, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, salt, and baking powder.  Add the oil and stir until combined.  Add the water and stir to combine and create a dough.  Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead 4 to 5 times.  Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, cover with a tea towel and allow to rest for 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 piece of dough to 1/16-inch and place on parchment lined baking sheet.  If there is room on the sheet pan, repeat with a second piece of dough.  Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 4 minutes then flip and bake for an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack.  When cool, break into desired size pieces.  Repeat procedure with remaining dough.
***Instead of cooking the dough all in one piece, I rolled them out and used a pizza cutter to cut into cracker size pieces, then used a spatula to move them to a baking sheet and followed the rest.

Sloppy Joes

1 lb. ground beef
1 can tomato soup
1 tsp. worchestershire sauce
1 tsp. mustard
1/4 C. brown sugar
1/2 C. onion, chopped
salt & pepper to taste

Brown ground beef, drain. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer for about 20 minutes. Serve on toasted bun. Add a slice of cheese if desired.

Heidi's Caramel Pineapple Cake

2 c. flour

1/2 c. sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

2 eggs

1 (20-oz.)can crushed, undrained pineapple

1/2 c. brown sugar

1.2 c. chopped nots

1 tsp. vanilla

3/4 c. evaporated milk

3/4 c. butter 

3.4 c. sugar

Using a spoon stir together the flour, sugar, soda, eggs, and crushed pineapple in a bowl. Put batter into an ungreased 9 X 13 dish. Sprinkle 1/2 c. brown sugar and 1/2 c. nuts over top. Cook for 20 mins at 350. While cake is cooking combine Vanilla, evaporated milk, butter, and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Remove cake from oven and immediately poke lots of holes though the cake. Pour the hot caramel sauce all over and into holes. Best served warm with ice cream. 

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie n' Oreo Fudge Brownie Bar

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups (12 ounces) milk chocolate chips
1 pkg double stuffed Oreos
1 family size (9x13) Brownie mix
1/4 cup hot fudge topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream the butter and both sugars in a large bowl with an electric mix on medium speed for 3-5 mins. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well to thoroughly combine. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt, then slowly incorporate into the mixer until the flour is just combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Spread the cookie dough in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish that's been lined with wax paper and sprayed with cooking spray. Top with a layer of Oreos. Mix together brownie mix, adding an option 1/4 cup of hot fudge topping to the mix. Pour the brownie batterover the cookie dough and Oreos. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 mins. Remove foil and continue to bake for an additional 15-25 mins. Let cool completely before cutting. Brownies may still be gooey in the middle when still warm, but will set up perfectly once cooled.

Broccoli Salad

Ingredients:

8 slices bacon
1/3 cup sunflower seed kernels
1 large head broccoli, cut into bit-size pieces
1/3 cup diced red onion
1 cup seedless red grapes halved

1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons white sugar
ground black pepper to taste


Directions:
1. place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 mins. Drain bacon slices on paper towels. Crumble 7 slices of bacon; mix with sunflower seeds in a resealable bag.
2. combine broccoli, onion, and grapes in a bowl.
3. Crumble the remaining bacon slice. Whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and black pepper together in a bowl. Fold in the 1 slice crumbled bacon. Pour dressing over broccoli mixture. Toss to coast evenly. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for flavors to blend, about 2 hours.
4. Sprinkle bacon-sunflower seed mixture over salad before serving; mix well.

Chicken Salad Sandwich

4 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 cup chopped celery
2 teaspoons grated onion
1 (20 ounce) can pineapple, drained
1/2 cup seedless red or green grapes, cut in half.

Put all the above ingredients in a bowl.

In a separate bowl combine
2/3 cup mayo
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Add that to the other bowl of ingredients. Put on croissants and enjoy.

Frito Taco Salad

4 tomatoes, chopped
4 green peppers, chopped
4 green onions, chopped
1 large can kidney beans
Shredded cheddar cheese to taste
1 bottle Russian dressing
1 bag Fritos

Mix together first five ingredients. Just before serving add Fritos and dressing.