Banana Bread 2 (without applesauce)

Of course, we LOVE our regular egg-free banana bread recipe. But I found myself with some super ripe bananas, too many in the freezer to save, and in need of something healthy-ish for Ben's breakfast while I put off grocery shopping... and we are out of unsweetened applesauce.

So I found this recipe:

Ingredients: 
1/2 cup of butter (or canola oil, shortening, or 1/3c. applesauce)
3/4 cup of sugar
1 cup of whole wheat flour
1/2 cup of white flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
3 ripe bananas
1-2 tsp. pure vanilla
1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 325 F and lightly grease pan (I use a square glass dish).

In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter. Add vanilla. Sift in flour, baking soda, and salt. Blend in mashed bananas. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour batter into pan.

Bake for 30-45 min. or until done throughout.

Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad

This was really good. I subbed Stevia in for sugar.

Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad

Easy Taco Skillet

Taco Skillet

Brown ground beef or turkey and season with taco seasoning.
Mix in:
1 can of seasoned black beans
1 can of Mexicorn
1 can mild Rotel
1 box of yellow Mexican rice (optional or on the side if low carb)

Can serve on tortillas or on top of salad.

Taco Seasoning

Pioneer Woman's recipe - the best:

Taco Seasoning:

• 2 teaspoons Chili Powder
• 1-1/2 teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Dried Oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper

Spiced Pumpkin Raisin Cookies (Egg Free

Spiced Pumpkin Raisin Cookies

Could sub. chocolate chips in for the raisins.

Best Ever Banana Pudding

Best Ever Banana Pudding 

(Paula Deen)

Ingredients:

6-8 bananas, sliced

2 packages of Cheesman Cookies or Nilla Wafers 7.25 oz.

14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
8 oz. bar of cream cheese, softened
5 oz. package of Vanilla Instant Jell-O Pudding
2 cups milk
12 oz. whipped topping, or equivalent in whipped cream

Directions: Start by placing cookies from one package at the bottom of pan. Place the sliced bananas on top of the cookies. 

With a hand mixer, beat together the vanilla pudding mix and milk. 

In another bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk. Fold in whipped topping with cream cheese mixture and then fold that in with the vanilla pudding. 

Pour mixture all over the bananas and smooth out until even. Place the second box of cookies on the top. Chill for a few hours until ready to serve. Serves about 12.

From: http://hip2save.com/2016/04/29/best-ever-banana-pudding/

Homemade Chicken Parmesan

Pioneer Woman's Chicken Parmigiana

• 4 whole (up To 6) Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Trimmed And Pounded Flat
• 1/2 cup All-purpose Flour
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Chopped
• 4 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 3/4 cups Wine (white Or Red Is Fine)
• 3 cans (14.5 Oz.) Crushed Tomatoes
• 2 Tablespoons Sugar
• 1/4 cube Chopped Fresh Parsley
• 1 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 pound Thin Linguine

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix flour, salt, and pepper together on a large plate.
Dredge flattened chicken breasts in flour mixture. Set aside.

At this time, you can start a pot of water for your pasta. Cook linguine until al dente.

Heat olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium heat. When butter is melted and oil/butter mixture is hot, fry chicken breasts until nice and golden brown on each side, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Remove chicken breasts from the skillet and keep warm.

Without cleaning skillet, add onions and garlic and gently stir for 2 minutes. Pour in wine and scrape the bottom of the pan, getting all the flavorful bits off the bottom. Allow wine to cook down until reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
Pour in crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Add sugar and more salt and pepper to taste. Allow to cook for 30 minutes. Toward the end of cooking time, add chopped parsley and give sauce a final stir.

Carefully lay chicken breasts on top of the sauce and completely cover them in grated Parmesan. Place lid on skillet and reduce heat to low. Allow to simmer until cheese is melted and chicken is thoroughly heated. Add more cheese to taste.

Place cooked noodles on a plate and cover with sauce. Place chicken breast on top and sprinkle with more parsley. Serve immediately.

From: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/chicken-parmigiana/