Crater Cake Filed under ( Bananas, breakfast, brunch, cake, chocolate, dessert )

I had some very ripe bananas as I often do. I typically make banana bread, banana chocolate chip muffins, banana cake or put them in smoothies. I was looking through my recipes and found this recipe for Crater Cake. I didn't think I knew who gave me this recipe but a friend informed me that another friend Cindy gave it to us. Cindy was a hoot. She lived in Omaha but has since moved to Wisconsin. My family loved this cake! I couldn't get them to stop eating it. Actually, I couldn't stop eating it either. I think it would be great for dessert or for brunch or breakfast as a coffee cake.

Crater Cake

1 cup butter
1 cups sugar
Cream the above, then add:

2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 mashed bananas

In separate bowl, mix:

3 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda

1 cup sour cream or 1 cup plain yogurt (I used sour cream)
Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternating with sour cream.

Mix topping in separate bowl:
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Spray a 9 x 13 with Pam and pour in half of batter then top with half of the topping and add remaining batter. Top with remaining topping. Bake for 350 for 50 minutes.

* I entered these ingredients into the Recipe Builder at www.weightwatchers.com and using greek yogurt (which turned out great) and having 20 servings per 9 x 13 - each piece would be 10 points plus

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Refreshing Fruit Tea Filed under ( Beverages, brunch )

I love this yummy fruit tea recipe.  My girls are into drinking "Arnold Palmers" which is a mix of lemonade and tea.  My oldest doesn't drink "POP" as they call it here in the midwest so I thought everyone might enjoy this tea.  I have several different fruit tea combinations - some with more orange juice, some with almond flavoring.  I thought this one was pretty simple and one the girls might enjoy.  We loved it. I have even used this tea for a baby shower and served in wine glasses - just a yummy, fun, refreshing summer tea!

Refreshing Fruit Tea

3 cups boiling water

4 regular size tea bags

¾ cup sugar

4 cups cold water

1 cup orange juice

1 cup pineapple juice

1/4-1/2 cup lemon juice

Pour boiling water over tea bags; cover and steep 5 min; removed and discard tea bags; stir in sugar until dissolved; stir in cold water and juices.  Serve over ice with orange or lemon wedge.  

* I like more of an orange flavor so I added more oj and less lemon juice. Feel free to adjust the flavors according to your liking!

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Zucchini Bake Filed under ( brunch, Side Dish )

I so hope you will try this recipe. I first tried this recipe back in college with my roomies. Lya is a great cook and was often cooking for us - this is especially creative for college students. My girls don't just love zucchini but I think.... they think.....they don't like squash. I am working on it. When this came out of the oven, my oldest said, "that smells amazing!"

I remember when Chris and I were first married and I made this for dinner. He was very nice, ate it and enjoyed it. I remember him eating a piece of bologna when dinner was over - said he needed his meat. NOW, he enjoys it as is... with a side of watermelon.

Give this a try for a summer dinner with your favorite fruit or a side salad. You won't be sorry!

Zucchini Bake

1 tube crescent roll sheet

2 Tbsp. dijon mustard

3/4 stick butter

3 large zucchini, thinly sliced or 4 cups

1/2 onion, chopped

1/4 tsp minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, salt and pepper

1 egg

8 - 12 oz shredded Mozzerella cheese

Preheat oven to 375. Unroll dough and press into the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan. Spread with dijon mustard. Saute zucchini and onion in large skillet until tender. Add garlic and seasonings. In large mixing bowl, mix egg and cheese. add sauteed mixture and toss with egg and cheese. Pour on top of dough. Bake at 375 for 30 - 40 minutes or until lightly browned.

*this recipe calls for a stick of butter - I used less. Also, it calls for 12 oz of mozzerella cheese and I only had about 1 1/2 cups so I threw in some shredded Swiss I had and we loved it. Be creative with your cheeses and spices

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Summer Chicken Salad Filed under ( brunch, chicken, Salad )

I love a good Chicken Salad. I prefer mine on the "chunky" side, light on the mayo and with a little crunch to it. I love chicken salad served in an avocado half with a side of fresh fruit. I recently made chicken salad and it was the perfect summer dinner. Everyone should be creative with their chicken salad. Add diced apples for a crunch or Craisins for a little tartness too. I use light mayo only but you can add a little Miracle Whip for sweetness - I have even seen recipes with Cool Whip in them or even some sour cream. Just be creative and enjoy Chicken Salad for a nice summer meal - especially during these hot temperatures!

not the best picture but oh so yummy!

Chicken Salad

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 celery stalk, diced

10 grapes, halved

1/2 cup light mayonnaise

salt and pepper

1/2 tsp Herbs De Provence

2 Tbsp. slivered almonds

Boil chicken breast until done and dice or shred according to your preference. Add the rest of the ingredients in the amount that you desire. I had Herbs De Provence and added for a little variety but not necessary - can leave out or add other dried or fresh herbs. Chill and enjoy. Enjoy with avocado, as a sandwich, or with your favorite bread or cracker.

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Bacon and Cheese Mini Muffins Filed under ( bread, breakfast, brunch )

These muffins are a quick and easy breakfast treat. My girls love them. You could use ham, bacon or sausage and add a different variety of cheese for a change. Easy and good - can't beat that!

Bacon and Cheese Mini Muffins

1/2 cup milk
3 Tbsp. oil
1 egg
1 1/2 cups Bisquick
3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup cooked bacon, chopped

Preheat oven to 400. Grease 2 (12) mini muffin tins. Using a fork, beat egg, oil and milk in a bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients just until moistened. Divide batter evenly among cups and bake until golden brown - about 15 minutes. Serve warm.


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Easy Cheddar Biscuits Filed under ( biscuits, bread, brunch )

Making biscuits from scratch really isn't hard AND....I usually have everything on hand. We were having soup the other night and I wanted to try something new. I found this recipe in my Southern Living Homestyle Cooking. I liked the sharp cheddar cheese - gave these biscuits extra flavor. They were perfect with our soup. Truly, these took 5 minutes to mix and about 10 minutes to bake. You should try it!

Easy Cheddar Biscuits (adapted from Southern Living Homestyle Cooking)

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
4 oz shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/3 cup shortening (use the Crisco sticks)
1/2 cup milk

Mix the first 4 ingredients using a fork, pastry blender or even a food processor. Add cheese and shortening continuing to mix until mixture is crumbly. Add milk and mix until forms a dough. ( I used my hands some too) Pat dough onto a lightly floured surface, pat to 1/2 inch thickness and cut with a 2 inch round biscuit cutter, cookie cutter or glass. Place biscuits on an ungreased baking sheet and bake at 425 for 8 - 10 minutes or until golden.

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Cheese Blintzes Filed under ( breakfast, brunch, holiday, recipe traditions )

This is the last ingredient for Merry Mondays - cinnamon. I love this recipe and I know you will too!

This is a favorite recipe-anyone that tries these LOVES them. Amy made these for me for a bridal shower she had for Chris and me when we were getting married - about 20 years ago. Amy is from Nebraska and I met her when living in Dallas. She still lives in the Dallas area and I live in Nebraska - hard to believe.

These blintzes are a little time consuming to make but not hard to make. The BEST thing about them is that I make them ahead of time and freeze them and then take them out when I need them - Christmas morning or just breakfast for my girls! I know you will love them!

Cheese Blintzes

2 lbs. of white bread - 2 loaves or more
1 lb cream cheese, softened
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar

Cream cream cheese, yolks and sugar and set aside.


Mix: (will probably need more of this mixture)

1/2 cup sugar
2/3 cup cinnamon

Melt a stick of butter in another bowl.

I do this recipe in an assembly line - say 4 at a time. Cut crusts off bread - I stack up 4-5 at a time and cut the crust off; using a rolling pin, roll out each slice of bread as flat as possible; spread cream cheese mixture on each slice; roll up jelly roll style with mixture inside bread and then dip in melted butter and then the cinnamon sugar mixture; place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and freeze. When frozen, I place all of the blintzes in an air tight container and keep in the freezer until needed. When ready to eat, thaw 15 mintues and then bake at 400 for 15 minutes.

*when i take mine out of the freezer before storing them - while frozen, I cut them in half so I have small bite size blintzes.

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Sausage Pinwheels Filed under ( breakfast, brunch, recipe traditions )

This is a staple at our house or where ever we are on most holiday mornings. My family loves them - especially Jenna. I have been enjoying these for years. A tradition from when I was younger - we would gather at Libby and Ronnie's on Christmas morning as we were headed out of town to Texarkana, TX to my grandmothers. We did this for years - so great seeing friends on Christmas morning. Libby would always have sausage pinwheels for breakfast. Libby made the dough from scratch but I have found over the years that canned biscuit dough works great too. I love it that I can make these ahead and keep them in the freezer. My girls would love it if I made these on a monthly basis. I don't have an exact recipe as cans of biscuits tend to change sizes but I will share with you the best I can.

Sausage Pinwheels

2 cans Grands biscuits
1 lb roll breakfast sausage

Take one can of biscuits and flatten them, pinching all seams together forming a flat 14inch or so rectangle. Spread half a roll of uncooked sausage on top of uncooked biscuit rectangle; Roll up lengthwise - jelly roll style; Wrap in wax paper and freeze. Repeat this with the other can of biscuits and the other half of sausage; When ready to bake, soften slightly for about 15 minutes and slice about 1/4 inch thick and bake at 375 degrees for about 15 min or until lightly brown. Serve with your favorite jam or jelly.

* I know of friends that add cream cheese to the sausage mixture.. or parmesan cheese

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Pepperoni Pizza Puffs Filed under ( appetizer, bread, brunch, pepperoni )

I saw this recipe on a great blog.... LICK THE BOWL GOOD. Monica is a Texas girl too and has lots of great recipes and pictures. I highly recommend checking out her fun site.

I made her Pepperoni Pizza Puffs and they turned out awesome. I doubled the recipe as I was taking it to our Pitch Card Club. I was very pleased with how easy the recipe was and even better... how tasty these little puffs really are. My hubby suggested using ham and a few different spices and making these for a breakfast treat.

Please visit Lick the Bowl Good - Monica's has the recipe and great pictures of these little puffs!

Cream Cheese Danish Filed under ( breakfast, brunch, dessert )

This is a great new recipe. I just made it for fun and took it share with my preschool teacher friends. My family and friends really enjoyed it. It is very easy and looks as good as it tastes.

Cream Cheese Danish

2 can crescent rolls (I used the new Crescent sheets)
2 8 oz can cream cheese
3/4 cup sugar
2 beaten eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 -2 tsp lemon juice - ( I used one)

Frosting

4 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp milk
2 cups sifted powdered sugar

Spray a 9 x 13 pan with Pam. If using regular crescent rolls, piece seams together and cover the bottom of the pan. Mix rest of ingredients and pour over dough. Pour mixture over the dough and top with the other sheet of crescent rolls.. sealing the edges. Bake at 350 until golden brown - think mine took about 15 minutes. Make frosting and frost while hot. I put my frosting in a quart ziploc bag, snipped the corner and drizzled the top of the danish. Cool completely.

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Warm Pineapple Crunch Filed under ( brunch, fruit, Side Dish )

This is one of the recipes that sounds bizarre but it so good - the flavors just all come together. A family member who has since passed away shared this recipe with my over 20 years ago. Mellie was a great cook. I made this for my teacher luncheon today and it got rave reviews.

Warm Pineapple Crunch

20 oz pineapple in own juice, drained but reserving 3 Tbsp juice
3 Tbsp. flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup melted butter
1 tube of Ritz crackers, crumbled
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Drain pineapple, reserving juice; Crush crackers in a ziploc bag; Mix flour, sugar and juice; Add cheese and pineapple; Spoon into a greased square pan; Melt butter and mix with crushed Ritz crackers and chopped pecans; Sprinkle on top of pineapple mixture. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 or until golden brown.

Enjoy as a side dish with any meat entrees. We served it with turkey, ham, cheesy potatoes and bread.

**I doubled this and cooked in a larger rectangle casserole dish.

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Pecan Pie Muffins Filed under ( bread, brunch, dessert, sweet bread )

I love this recipe. I LOVE pecan pie! These muffins are perfect for any occasion! I have friends that have made them for brunch, baby showers, graduation parties, etc. I know you will love them! I especially like the mini version!

Pecan Pie Muffins

1 C. light brown sugar

1/2 C. flour

Pinch of salt

1 C. chopped pecans

1 stick butter, softened

2 eggs, beaten

Stir together brown sugar, flour & pecans. In

separate bowl, beat butter & eggs together

until smooth. Stir in dry ingredients.

Preheat oven to 350. Fill mini muffin tins 2/3 full and bake for about 15 minutes or until muffins are shiny on top. Cool on wire rack.

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Breakfast Pizza Filed under ( breakfast, brunch )

I wanted to make something different for breakfast since my parents were here. I had some leftover sausage from the sausage gravy and biscuits from earlier in the week. I remember having this recipe for breakfast pizza that I hadn't made in years. We all enjoyed it - nice change to the normal breakfast casserole.

Also, I want to apologize for my poor quality of pictures - except this one and a few others my husband helped me with. He and our middle daughter are the photo experts and Jenna was giving me a bad time about many of my blog pictures - "Mom, they are grey! " So, I am going to try improve the quality of my pictures. I am usually in such a hurry, I just snap a picture... will try to do better!

Breakfast Pizza

1 can crescent rolls
1 lb sausage or bacon, cooked and drained
1 cup frozen potatoes
4 eggs
1/4 cup milk
dash pepper
1 cup grated cheese ( I used some cheddar and some swiss)

Press crescent rolls into round pizza pan with pointed ends facing center of pan. Press seams together to from a solid crust. Now that they have they new Pillsbury Crescent roll sheets - you could make this same pizza in a rectangular pan, etc; top with well drained meat and then cover with potatoes; Mix eggs with milk and pepper and pour evenly over other layers. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until eggs are set. Sprinkle grated cheese over the top and bake for about 5-10 minutes just until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting. Enjoy!

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Amazing Pumpkin Bread Filed under ( bread, breakfast, brunch, sweet bread )

I have had this recipe for several years but not totally sure who gave it to me. I am working on my source. Whoever sent it to me called it "Aunt Katie's Pumpkin Bread". Well I love Aunt Katie - this is so yummy and moist! I highly recommend it. I made it in a bundt pan with pecans and we loved it.

Pumpkin Bread

2 sticks butter, softened
2 2/3 cups sugar
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 can pumpkin
1 cup chopped pecans

Grease and flour bundt pan (or 2 loaves). Cream butter - add sugar and mix well. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix together all dry ingredients and add to butter/sugar mixture. Add pumpkin and nuts. Bake at 350 for one hour. Enjoy!

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Sausage Gravy Filed under ( breakfast, brunch, sausage )

Our middle daughter LOVES biscuits and gravy. She requests it often. I only make it on occasion but she is always thrilled when I do. I hear... "This is sooo good!" I have tried different varieties but have found that this basic recipe from Southern Living is our favorite. Instead of homemade biscuits, we went for the Pillsbury GRANDS for our dinner tonight! YUM!

Sausage Gravy ( Adapted from Southern Living Homestyle Cooking)

3/4 ground pork sausage
1/4 cup flour
2 cups half and half or milk (I used skim milk)
salt to taste
1/2 tsp pepper

Brown sausage in large skillet, stirring til it crumbles. Drain sausage on paper towels. Southern Living suggests to reserve 1/2 cup of drippings in skillet and whisking flour into drippings only - over medium high heat for 3 minutes til brown. I often make my sausage ahead of time so I didn't do this tonight. I just started off whisking my flour slowly into my milk forming a paste,slowly adding milk to avoid lumps. Continue to whisk over medium-high heat. Whisk constantly so it doesn't stick. Add sausage, stirring constantly - til thick and bubbly. Add salt and pepper. Serve with biscuits.

*If too runny, can always add a little more flour and if too thick - can always add more milk. You will just have to add more salt if you do this - gravy has to have just the right amount of salt.
* I use this amount of sausage but usually double the gravy portion for our family

Sweet Smokies Filed under ( appetizer, breakfast, brunch )

Headed for our 2nd time to our 10 point PITCH group - should be fun. I was studying my appetizers and decided to take something that my friend Shelley makes often - Sweet Smokies. I was asking my hubby for some input on what I should take and he loves these Sweet Smokies - this particular appetizer is always enjoyed by the men. Chris also mentioned that this appetizer is the perfect combination of salt, sugar and fat! :) Ya gotta love that!

Sweet Smokies

1 pkg little smokies
1 pkg bacon
brown sugar

Cut each bacon strip into thirds. Wrap a piece of bacon around each smokie securing with a toothpick. Place them in a large baking pan. Cover completely with brown sugar - be generous. Bake at 350 for 45- 60 minutes or until bacon is done.

**Shelley often puts these in a crockpot after they are done to keep them warm

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Fall Apple Dip Filed under ( breakfast, brunch, dessert, fruit )

Well, it is that time. I am not sure if you have Honeycrisp Apples in your area but if you do and haven't tried them - you must. They are so crisp and just that right amount of tart and sweet. They are especially good with this Fall Apple Dip!

Fall Apple Dip

8 oz cream cheese - softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
Additional chopped pecans

Blend together all ingredients and sprinkle the top with additional chopped pecans. Serve with your favorite tart apple!


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Sweet/Spicy Bacon Filed under ( appetizer, brunch, Pork )

I guess anything with bacon, maple syrup and brown sugar would be good. This is an amazing recipe. I think I say that a lot but I wouldn't put it on here if it wasn't "blog-worthy". I made it today for a New Year's Eve party. I tend to have recipes that don't have specific amounts. This is one of those recipes - could have more brown sugar or more pepper - just depends on your preference.

Sweet/Spicy Bacon

1 pound bacon
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 - 1 tsp cayenne pepper
3/4 - 1 tsp black pepper
maple syrup

Line a cookie sheet with foil; Mix brown sugar and peppers together; place a wire rack of some type on top of lined cookie sheet and lay the bacon pieces all along this rack; Brush each piece of bacon with maple syrup and sprinkle half of the brown sugar mixture on top of the bacon. Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes; Using a fork, turn each piece of bacon over and brush this side with maple syrup; sprinkle with the rest of the sugar/pepper mixture and bake for about 15 more minutes. The bacon will be crisp and brown and so yummy. I used my kitchen shears to cut each piece into bite size pieces.

* a pound of bacon seams like a lot but this tasty little bites disappear in a hurry so I usually double this recipe for a party

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