Banana muffins

4 Medium Mashed Bananas
3 T Vegetable Oil
1 Large Egg
1/3 C Sugar
2 C Bisquick Baking Mix
½ C chopped nuts {if desired}
1/2 C chocolate chips {if desired}

1. Heat oven to 400. Paper line or grease a 12 muffin tin.
2. Beat bananas, oil, egg and sugar in large bowl until well blended. Stir in baking mix, nuts, and chocolate chips just until baking mix is moistened (batter will be lumpy). Divide batter into muffin tin.
3. Bake about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool muffins in pan 5 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Serve warm {and with milk please}

carrot pancakes

5.6 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 1/4 cups)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
Dash of ground cloves
Dash of ground ginger
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups finely grated carrot (about 1 pound)
Cooking spray
3 tablespoons butter, softened
2 tablespoons honey

Preparation
1. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine flour and next 7 ingredients (through ginger) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk.
Combine 1/4 cup brown sugar and next 4 ingredients (through eggs); add sugar mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Fold in 2 cups carrot.
2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Spoon 4 (1/4 cup) batter mounds onto pan, spreading with a spatula. Cook for 2 minutes or until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look cooked. Carefully turn pancakes over; cook 1 minute or until bottoms are lightly browned. Repeat procedure twice with remaining batter. Combine butter and honey in a small bowl; serve with pancakes.

leftover rice pudding

2 Cups White or Brown RIce
1 Cup Vanilla Rice Milk (you can also use cow’s, almond or soy milk)
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
2 Tbsp- 1/4 Cup Agave Nectar

1. Place all the ingredients in a sauce pan and cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes or until it starts to thicken up.
2. Place in bowls and cool.
3. Refrigerate or serve at room temperature.

cranberry lentil salad

Cranberry Lentil Salad (Makes 6 Servings)

1 Cup Lentils
1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries
1/4 Cup Parsley, chopped
1 Tsp Salt
1/2 Cup Walnuts, chopped
Juice of 1 Small Lemon
2 Tbsp Olive Oil

1. In a saucepan bring 4 cups of water and lentils to a boil.
2. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 20-25 minutes or until tender.
3. Pour lentils into a strainer and rinse with cold water.
4. Fold all of the ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.
5. Serve.

mac n cheese bites

Mac, Chicken & Cheese Bites (Makes 20 Mini Bites)

1/2 Lb. Macaroni
2 Tbsp Butter
2 Tbsp Flour
1/2 Tsp Salt
1 1/2 Cup Milk
1 Cup White Cheddar
1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese, divided
1/4 Cup Bread Crumbs
1 Cup Cooked Chicken, diced

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cook pasta until al dente, according to package directions (the pasta I used said to cook for 9-12 minutes, so I cooked it for 10 minutes).
3. Drain the pasta and set aside.
4. In a small heavy bottomed saucepan melt 2 Tbsp of the butter.
5. Whisk in the flour and salt and cook for 2 minutes.
6. Add the milk in a slow stream and whisk to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 3 minutes stirring occasionally .
7. Add the white cheddar and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
8. Pour the cheese sauce and chicken over the pasta and stir to combine.
9. In a bowl, combine the 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and bread crumbs.
10. Grease mini muffin cups.
11. Pour about 1/4 cup of the macaroni mixture into the muffin cups, sprinkle the top with the bread and cheese mixture and bake for 15-20 minutes (I cooked mine for 20 mins) or until breadcrumbs are golden brown.
12. Cool in muffin cups, remove and serve

Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken - serves 6

800g skinless chicken breast
1 medium onion diced (optional)
1 tsp crushed garlic (in jar)
1/2 tsp crushed ginger (in jar)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp tumeric
1 tsp dried coriander
2 tsps paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp chilli powder
2 tsps chicken stock powder
4 tbs tomato paste
1 tbs cornflour
1 x 375ml can evaporated light milk

Cut chicken into bite sized pieces.
Spray pan, saute chicken, onion, garlic and ginger until chicken is nearly cooked.
Add all the spices and stock powder stir for 1 minute
Add tomato paste, stir.
Blend cornflour with milk then add to pan, stir continuously until boiled.

All done, serve with rice

Bruchetta

Mix together
3 vine ripened tomatoes, diced
2 tbsp finely diced red onion
1 tbsp virgin olive oil
balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup basil leaves

spray or paint
1 small loaf sourdough cut into 1cm slices - or a french stick
with olive oil and
1 clove garlic peeled

put in the oven or fry in the pan until toasty
top with mixture and serve quick :)

Lara Mousse

200g chocolate - milk or dark for melting
40g butter
1 tbsp icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4 eggs - separated, don't get any yolk in the whites or it ruins it.
2/3 c cream - for whipping and some extra for serving

Whip the cream.
Beat butter, icing sugar and vanilla until creamy.
Add egg yolks one at a time and beat well.
Melt chocolate until smooth.
Add melted chocolate, straight away or it will make chocolate flakes in the mousse, beat until smooth.
Fold in whipped cream.
Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Fold egg whites into chocolate mix until mixed through (do it gently so no air is lost).
Place gently in serving dish and refrigerate overnight.

Molten Chocolate Cake

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for muffin tins
1/3 cup granulated sugar, plus more for muffin tins
3 large eggs
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
Whipped Cream , for serving

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Generously butter 6 cups of a standard muffin tin. Dust with granulated sugar, and tap out excess. Set aside.

2.In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. With the mixer on low speed, beat in flour and salt until just combined. Beat in chocolate until just combined. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups.

3.Place muffin tin on a baking sheet; bake just until tops of the cakes no longer jiggle when the pan is lightly shaken, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes.

4.To serve, turn out cakes, and place on serving plates, bottom sides up. Dust with confectioners' sugar, and serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Turkey with two salads

6 teaspoons olive oil
1 package (10 ounces) white mushrooms, trimmed and thinly sliced
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 cup Israeli couscous
2/3 cup dried cranberries or cherries
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 packed cups loose spinach (about 5 ounces), trimmed, well washed and dried
1 pound cooked turkey, thinly sliced, room temperature

Directions
In a large nonstick skillet with a lid, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high. Add mushrooms, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are browned and have released their liquid, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; set aside.

Reduce heat to medium-low. In same skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in couscous, 1 1/4 cups water, and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until couscous is tender, 8 to 10 minutes (liquid should be completely absorbed). Stir in dried cranberries.

Meanwhile, make vinaigrette: In a large bowl, whisk together remaining 4 teaspoons oil, lime juice, and mustard; season with salt and pepper. Pour half the vinaigrette into another large bowl. To first bowl, add couscous mixture and mushrooms (along with any accumulated juice), and to the other, spinach. Toss contents of each bowl until well combined.

Divide spinach among 4 serving plates; top with turkey slices, and serve with couscous

Easy Paella

Serves 8
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 (12 ounces) chicken sausage, sliced in 1/2-inch rounds
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups long-grain rice
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
2 can (14.5 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 cup frozen green peas,, thawed

Directions
1.In a heavy 12-inch saute pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp until just pink on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes (do not overcook). Transfer to a plate.

2.Add remaining tablespoon oil and sausage to pan; cook over medium-high heat until beginning to brown, about 2 minutes. Add onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and rice; cook, stirring to coat, until rice is translucent, 1 to 2 minutes.

3.Stir in paprika, turmeric, tomatoes, and broth, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan with a wooden spoon. Season with salt and pepper.

4.Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover, and cook until rice is tender and has absorbed almost all liquid, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in peas; cook 1 minute. Stir in cooked shrimp; serve immediately.

Chicken Enchilada Pasta

Serves 6-8

*Plan Ahead: the recipe calls for cooked chicken so use leftovers or plan enough time to cook the chicken beforehand.

2-3 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed or shredded
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 medium onion, diced
1 red pepper, diced
4-ounce can diced green chilies
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
2 (10-oz) can green chili enchilada sauce (I used mild)
2/3 cup red enchilada sauce (I used mild)
1 can large black olives, cut in half
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (I used sharp cheddar)
16-20 oz. penne pasta (Depending on how "saucy" you want the pasta)

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta until tender. While the pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet and add the onion. Cook for 2-3 minutes until onion is translucent. Add the garlic and red pepper and cook for another 2 minutes, until pepper is barely tender. Add the cooked chicken, green chilies, spices, enchilada sauces and olives. Let the sauce simmer for about 8-10 minutes. Add the sour cream and cheese and heat through, until the cheese is melted (but don't boil!). Pour the sauce over the hot pasta. Garnish with extra sour cream, cheese, diced tomatoes, green onions or crushed tortilla chips.

Recipe Source: My Kitchen Cafe (www.mykitchencafe.blogspot.com)/Adapted from my friend, Suzie

Tuscan Macaroni and Cheese Bake

12 ounces precooked smoked chicken (or turkey) sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced 1/4 inch thick
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
8 ounces cream cheese, cubed and softened
1 cup sliced olives1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon dried sage
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 ½ cups milk
1 tomato, sliced thinly
½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions but undercook the pasta by 1-2 minutes since it will continue baking in the oven. In a large bowl, combine the sausage, cooked pasta, cream cheese, olives, and mozzarella cheese. In a small bowl, mix flour and spices together.

In a medium saucepan melt the butter, then whisk in flour and spices. Allow the flour/butter mixture to cook without browning for about 30 seconds while whisking/stirring. Slowly add the milk and stir until slightly thickened, this may take about 5-6 minutes. Stir constantly to prevent scorching on the bottom of the pan. When slightly thickened, pour the milk mixture over pasta mixture and mix well.

Pour into an 11X7-inch (or circular) lightly greased casserole dish. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Remove cover and add tomato slices on top then sprinkle parmesan cheese over and bake uncovered for 10 minutes more. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Recipe Source: from My Kitchen Cafe (www.mykitchencafe.blogspot.com)/originally adapted from Dixie D.

Cherry Cheesecake Cookies

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2 1/2 sticks butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 cans (20-ounce) cherry pie filling

Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. In another bowl with an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, butter and sugar until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Refrigerate dough until firm, at least 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat liners. Place graham cracker crumbs in a shallow dish.

Roll the dough into 1 1/2-inch balls, then roll the balls in graham cracker crumbs. Place balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Using a tablespoon measure, make an indentation in the center of each ball. Place 3 cherries in the dimple. Bake until golden brown around the edges, 12 to 14 minutes. Cool for five minutes on the sheet and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe Source: from My Kitchen Cafe (www.mykitchencafe.blogspot.com)/originally adapted from Cook's Country

Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole
adapted from Cook's Country
Serves 8-10 as a side dish
2 slices hearty white sandwich bread, torn into pieces
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons butter, melted; plus two tablespoons chilled
1 garlic clove, minced
2 pounds broccoli (about 3-4 medium heads of broccoli), florets cut into 1-inch pieces, stems chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
1 1/4 cups long grain white rice
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/4 cups half-and-half
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9X13-inch baking dish. Pulse bread, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and melted butter in a food processor until coarsely ground. Add garlic. Set aside.

Microwave broccoli florets (save stems for later), covered, in a large bowl until bright green and tender, 2 to 3 minutes (no need to add water). Be careful not to overcook or they will become soggy and discolored. Melt remaining butter in a large pot over medium heat. Cook onion and broccoli stems until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring constantly, until rice is translucent, about 1 minute. Stir in broth, half-and-half, and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until rice is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Off the heat, stir in cheddar cheese, cayenne, remaining parmesan and broccoli florets.

Pour the mixture into prepared baking dish and top with bread crumb mixture. Bake until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the top is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Cool 5 minutes. Serve.