Chocolate Zucchini Bread (or muffins)

Seriously, this is a totally acceptable options for breakfast.  It's full of zucchini.

2 C. flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
6 T. cocoa powder
1/2 C. oil
1 C. sugar
1/4 C. brown sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 C. grated zucchini
3/4 C. chocolate chips (minis disburse much better than regular size)

Topping:
2 T. brown sugar
2 T. white sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Combine oil, sugars, and eggs until slightly fluffy.  Add vanilla, zucchini, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and cocoa until mixed.  Stir in flour and chocolate chips.  Bake at 350 degrees in two 8-inch or 9-inch loaf pans for 50-60 minutes.  Sprinkle on the topping mid-way through baking.  Instead, I made muffins.  20-25 minutes at 350 degrees and I got about 30 muffins.  I ate 4.  That's totally healthy, right?

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

They look very pretty sitting here on the big plate.  I'd have a picture but "someone" broke my camera.

2 mashed bananas
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 cup oil
2 tsp. baking powder
1/3 cup sugar
1 3/4 cups flour (I used whole wheat because it's just yummier and better for you.)
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Mix bananas, milk, and egg together.  Add baking powder, sugar, flour, and chocolate chips, stirring just until combined.  Batter will be pretty thick.  Place into prepared muffin cups.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Carrot Bread

1 1/2 cups shredded carrots (3 medium)
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
3/4 cup white flour
3/4 cup wheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves

Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease a loaf pan, 8 1/2x4 1/2x2 1/2 or 9x5x3 inches. Mix carrots, sugar, oil and eggs in large bowl with spoon. Stir in remaining ingredients and pour into pan. Bake 50 to 60 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Loosen sides of loaf from pan and remove from pan to a wire rack to cool.

Pizza Casserole

Half a box or bag of pasta, cooked almost done
Jar of pasta sauce
Chopped onion (and other pizza type veggies to your liking)
Hamburger, pepperoni, canadian bacon, or meat topping of your choice
Mozzarella cheese

Mix pasta, sauce, and veggies together and pour into a greased 8x8 pan.  Layer meat selection on top.  Sprinkle with fennel seed to add that extra "pizza" flavor.  Top with mozzarella cheese.  Bake, covered, at 350 until heated through and cheese is nicely melted.

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Jam Muffins

I made strawberry, black raspberry, and apricot.

1 3/4 cups flour (I used whole wheat)
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 beaten egg
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup oil
Jam in the flavor of your choice

In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except jam and mix just until combined.  Batter should be slightly lumpy.  Lightly grease muffin cups.  Fill each cup 1/3 full.  Top each with 1 tsp. or less of jelly, jam, or preserves.  Then cover with enough batter to fill each muffin cup 2/3 full.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.  Remove from pans and serve warm.  Makes 10-12 muffins.

Banana Cinnamon Muffins

Okay, okay.  I know it sounds like an odd combination but they were delicious!  The kids all went BONKERS over them!

2/3 C. sugar
1/2 C. oil
2 eggs
2 small very ripe bananas, mashed
1 tsp. vanilla
1 2/3 C. flour (the recipe called for white but I used wheat)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix together sugar, oil, and eggs.  Add bananas and vanilla and mix.  Add in remaining ingredients and stir just until moistened.  Divide among 12 greased muffin cups.  Sprinkle each liberally with sugar.  Bake at 375 degrees for 17-20 minutes.

Swiss Oven Omelet

I used a little less onion because I was running low.  And I used white instead of red because that's what I already had.  I also added 3 strips of torn up leftover turkey bacon.  We also think it might possibly be better without the sugar, but it was definitely good the way it was!

2 cups chopped red onion
2 tsp. sugar
1 T. oil
2 tsp. yellow mustard or dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
6 eggs
1/4 C. water
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 C. shredded swiss cheese

In a 10 inch ovenproof skillet, cook and stir onion and sugar in oil over medium heat to desired tenderness.  Add mustard and thyme.  Remove from heat and set aside.  In a small bowl, beat eggs, water, salt, and pepper.  Pour into skillet.  Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese.  Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.  Top with remaining cheese.  Cut into wedges.

Pasta with Ham and Cabbage

Cooked pasta
1-2 cups cooked, chopped ham
1/2 C. chopped onion
1/3-1/2 head cabbage, chopped
1/2 C. chicken broth
1/2 C. parmesan cheese

Heat oil in a very large skillet.  Saute onion and cabbage until starting to cook.  Add ham and chicken broth and cook until onion and cabbage are cooked to desired doneness.  Toss with pasta and parmesan cheese.

Fudgy Truffle Eggs

I got this recipe from the Betty Crocker website.  If you decide to go for it, prepare for a MESS!  But worth it.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/fudgy-truffle-eggs/155470ba-7bb3-4f9e-af84-2171543f4d03?sr=2&st=7#/?term=fudgy+truffle&pi=1&mr=20

My chocolate mixture just would not set up.  I ended up freezing it and it was still frustrating trying to shape them.  But oh so delicious.  And pretty.

Potato Tacos

The recipe called these "Idaho Tacos" but I decided that seemed hokey.

1 lb. ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning
4 hot baked potatoes
Shredded cheddar cheese
Sour cream
Salsa
Green onions

In a skillet, brown beef and drain.  Add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions.  With a sharp knife, slice open potatoes and fluff pulp.  Top each with taco meat and other toppings of choice.

Tuna Burgers

Before you say anything, this didn't really have much of a "tuna" taste.  It was really, really good on the yummy multigrain Earthgrains buns I used.  I added a slice of cheese to mine too.

1 can (6 oz.) tuna, drained
1 egg
1/2 C. Italian-seasoned bread crumbs (or plain with Italian seasoning added)
1/3 C. finely chopped onion
1/4 C. chopped celery
1/4 C. chopped red or green pepper
1/4 C. mayonnaise
2-3 drops hot pepper sauce
1 tsp. dill weed
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
Dash worchestershire sauce

In a bowl, combine all ingredients.  Mix well.  Shape into four patties (mixture is very soft and sticky so you may need to wash your hands in between patties).  Fry on a NONSTICK skillet on each side until cooked through.  Serve on buns with tomato and lettuce if desired.

Ham & Noodle Hot Dish

This was really good.  Although we thought it would be better with crushed potato chips or french fried onions instead of the bread crumbs.

 












3 T. butter, divided
2 T. flour
1 C. milk
1 C. shredded cheese of choice
1/2 tsp. salt
2 C. diced, cooked ham
1 1/2 C. medium sized noodles, cooked and drained
1 C. peas
1/4 C. dry bread crumbs
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

In a saucepan, melt 2 T. butter.  Stir in the flour until smooth.  Gradually add milk.  Bring to a boil over medium heat.  Cook and stir for 2 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Stir in cheese and salt until melted.  Add ham, noodles, and peas.  Pour into a greased 1 quart baking dish.  Melt remaining butter.  Add bread crumbs and seasoning.  Sprinkle over casserole.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until heated through.

Tortellini Soup

I had two recipes I was going to work from and ended up doing totally my own thing anyway.  Fantastic.  But we think it needs sausage.  Or sausage tortellini instead of cheese.

10 C. water
4-5 tsp. chicken granules
2 potatoes, cubed
3 carrots, sliced
2 celery ribs
1 C. onion, chopped
1 tomato, chopped (or 2 romas)
Spinach - Part of or a whole 10 oz. box frozen or chopped fresh
1 lb. frozen or fresh tortellini of choice

Boil water with granules.  Add potatoes and carrots.  Cover the pot and cut up the remaining vegetables while it boils.  Add everything to the pot but the tortellini, which you will add whenever the package directions indicate based on the time they need to boil.  Cook until everything is to desired doneness.

Wheat Rolls

You could actually use all white flour or any combination of white and wheat.  I used all whole wheat flour.  It has so much more flavor and is so much better for you.  I got this recipe from my friend Melissa and it's fantastic!  And it was great for practicing fractions.  :)

1 pkg. yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp. if you're using jar yeast)
1 1/3 C. milk (at 105-115 degrees)
1 T. sugar
3 T. oil
1 tsp. salt
3-3 1/2 C. flour

Dissolve yeast and sugar in warmed milk.  Mix in oil, salt, and 1 cup flour until smooth.  Add remaining flour and knead a few times to make it smooth.  Cover and rise 45 minutes in a warmish spot.  Punch down and roll into 1 inch balls.  Dividing into equal sections and then dividing them again and again helps keep them the same size.  Put 3 dough balls into each section of a greased muffin pan.  Brush tops with butter and sprinkle with salt, if desired.  Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes.  Mine made exactly 12 rolls.

Pepperoni Stromboli

I couldn't find bread dough anywhere so I used pizza dough I found in rounds in the freezer section.  And I used some tiny pepperonis I had leftover.  That seemed to work nicely.

2 loaves (1 pound each) frozen bread dough, thawed
1/2 C. spaghetti or pizza sauce
1/2 tsp. oregano
4 oz. sliced pepperoni
2 C. shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 C. grated parmesan cheese

On a lightly floured surface, roll each loaf into a 20"x8" rectangle.  Place one rectangle on a greased baking sheet.  Spread sauce in an 18"x4" strip down the center.  Sprinkle with oregano, pepperoni, and mozzarella.  Fold long sides of dough up toward filling and set aside.  Cut the remaining dough rectangle into three strips.  Loosely braid the strips and pinch ends to seal.  Place braid on top of cheese and pinch to seal.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Vegetable Beef Casserole

3 medium unpeeled potatoes, sliced
4 carrots, sliced
4 celery ribs, sliced
2 C. fresh or frozen green beans
1 medium onion, chopped
1 lb. ground beef (cooked or raw)
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 C. shredded cheddar cheese

In a 3 quart casserole, layer half of the potatoes, carrots, celery, green beans, and onion.  Crumble half of the beef over vegetables.  Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. each thyme, salt, and pepper.  Repeat both layers.  Top with tomatoes.  Cover and bake at 400 for 15 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350 and bake about 1 hour longer or until vegetables are done.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Cover and let stand until cheese is melted.

Beef Stuffed French Bread

Oh, this was so super delicious.

1 loaf french bread
1 lb. ground beef
1 can (10 oz.) cheddar cheese soup
1 green pepper, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
1 T. worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
4 slices cheese, halved

Slice bread so you have long top and bottom halves.  Carefully cut out a small portion of the inside of the bottom half to make room for all the filling.  Cut removed bread into small chunks and set aside.  In a skillet, brown hamburger.  Add soup, green pepper, celery, worchestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.  Cook and stir for 3-4 minutes.  Stir in the reserved bread crumbs.  Spread into bread shell.  Top with cheese.  Replace top half of bread.  Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Hash Brown Beef Pie

1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
14 1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 cups frozen mixed vegetables

Topping:
3 C. frozen hash browns, thawed and drained
1 C. shredded cheddar cheese
1 egg
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper

In a large skillet, cook beef, onion, and garlic.  Stir in tomatoes, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.  Stir in the vegetables.  Pour into greased 9-inch pie plate.  (I used my 8x8 glass dish.)  Combine topping ingredients and spoon evenly over the meat mixture.  Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.

Tips & Tricks:
- Whenever a recipe calls for a can of tomatoes I use fresh chopped tomatoes instead.  It's healthier and tastier.  And if you grew them yourself, it's cheaper!!  One whole tomato or 2-3 roma tomatoes generally equals about a 14 ounce can.  Don't worry about the fact that the can has a bunch of juice in it.  It came from the tomatoes inside in the canning process.  So once your chopped tomato cooks a little you'll be fine.  But if it seems a little too dry, add a tiny bit of water.

Pizza Mac Casserole

1 lb. ground beef
2 C. elbow macaroni, cooked and drained (really any type of noodle you want)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
28 oz. pizza sauce
2 C. shredded mozzarella cheese

In a skillet, brown beef.  Add macaroni, onion, green pepper, and sauce.  Pour into greased 2 1/2 quart baking dish.  Cover and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.  Uncover and sprinkle with cheese.  Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Gingered Pork & Asparagus

Mmmmmmm.... asparagus.  I skipped the rice/noodles and served it with homemade biscuits.

6 T. apple juice
6 T. soy sauce
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 T. ground ginger
1 lb. pork, thinly sliced
2 T. oil
1 lb. fresh asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch

In a large resealable plastic bag or shallow glass container, combine juice, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.  Remove 1/2 cup to set aside.  Add pork to the bag.  Seal, cover chicken with marinade, and refrigerate for 1 hour.  In a large skillet over medium-high heat, stir-fry the pork in oil until done.  Remove pork from skillet and set aside.  In the same skillet, stir-fry the asparagus for 2-3 minutes or until crisp-tender.  Stir cornstarch into reserved marinade.  Add to skillet.  Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes or until thickened.  Return pork to the skillet and heat through.  Serve over rice or noodles.

Slow Cooked Oriental Chicken

3-4 pounds broiler-fryer chicken, cup up
2 T. oil
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 T. brown sugar
2 T. water
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 cup slivered almonds

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the chicken in oil on both sides.  Transfer to a slow cooker.  Combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, water, garlic, and ginger.  Pour over chicken.  Cover and cook on high for 1 hour.  Reduce heat to low and cook 4-5 hours longer.  Remove chicken to serving platter and sprinkle with almonds.  Spoon juices over chicken or thicken if desired.

Now I adapted this a bit.  I cut a whole boneless skinless chicken breast into several pieces and just tossed them in the crock pot without browning.  I added the almonds with the rest of the ingredients and cooked on high and it was done in less than 2 hours.  Although I'm beginning to think my crock pot runs too hot.....