Low Fat Banana Bread

I always get asked for this recipe. Kids & adults both love it--what more could you want?

2 eggs
3/4 C sugar
3 well mashed bananas (about 1 cup)
1/3 C vanilla yogurt
1 T oil
1 T vanilla
1 3/4 C flour
2 t baking powder
1/2 t soda
1/2 t salt
1/3 C coconut
optional, walnuts or pecans

Mix dry ingredients (including coconut) in a bowl. Mix sugar, yogurt & oil. Cream together then add eggs, vanilla & bananas. Mix well then add dry ingredients until smooth. Add nuts. Put in a single loafpan and bake at 325 for 1-1.25 hours.

variations:

-I like to split the flour in thirds and use 1/3 white, 1/3 white whole wheat, 1/3 oat flour (pureed oats in the blender)

-We love the coconut flavor so I substitute 1/2 of the vanilla for coconut extract

-Sometimes I add flax seed which gives a little extra nutrition and texture

Abby's Granola

This is a fabulous recipe from my fabulous cook friend Abby Bennett. I made this and Chad told me multiple times how much he liked it. It's really easy to make and really good!

4C old fashioned oatmeal
3 C Wheaties/wheat flake cereal
2 C wheat germ (this is cheapest at Target)
2 C coconut
Almonds, whole or sliced - optional but good

Heat the following in a saucepan until smooth:
1 C brown sugar
1 1/2 t salt
3/4 C oil
1 C water
1/2 C honey
3 tsp vanilla

Pour sauce over dry ingredients and place on 2 cookie sheets. Bake all day with your over just above warm or on 150 for about 6 hours. Can also be left overnight. Stir occasionally. It won't feel crunchy when it comes out of the oven, but will once it cools. Nuts and raisins can also be added after baking, although if you're using almonds, it's good to add them before so they can toast all day.

Key Lime & Coconut Angel Food Cake

I made this dessert for an Easter party, and it was a hit!

1 round Angel Food Cake
1 can (14 oz.) Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/3 cup Lime Juice (regurlar or Key Limes)
1 tsp grated Lime zest
12 oz. Cool Whip
1 cup flaked Coconut
Limes and Strawberries for garnish

Cut cake horizontally into 2 or 3 rounds. In separate bowl, beat sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, and lime zest with a whisk until smooth. Fold in cool whip

Spread the cool whip mixture between the cake layers. Use the remaining mixture to frost the entire outside of cake. Sprinkle with coconut. Garnish with cut limes and strawberries. Chill until serving.

Corned Beef with Apricot Glaze

So here's the recipe that Ally requested. It is our St. Patrick's Day Tradition and it has turned corned beef-haters into lovers. This is such a fun meal to make with Irish soda bread, cabbage (we like it cooked w/bacon) and carrots & potatoes oven roasted with spices and olive oil.

The corned beef package will say to boil the beef with the spice packet for X amount of hours. I usually do it it for half of that time (I think around 2 hours) and then glaze it with the recipe below and bake at 300 for another 1-2 hours. Turn the roast over halfway through cooking so both sides get some of the glaze.

Apricot Glaze:
1C water
1 C apricot preserves
4T brown sugar
2 T soy sauce

If you've never cooked corned beef before, it doesn't really turn soft and shredded like as it is cooked. It comes out more solid and then you slice it. This recipe should give you some leftover sauce to spoon over the top.

Easy Cinnamon Rolls!

These Cinnamon Rolls are so easy to make and they are delicious! We taught them to our Beehive Class last week and they were so good!!!!

Ingredients:
3 Loaves Frozen Bridgeford Bread Dough (thawed)

Filling Ingredients (Mix together):
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
4 tablespoons cinnamon
2 tablespoons corn syrup

Roll each loaf separately to about a 6x12 rectangle
Spread Filling. Roll up loaf and pinch ends to close.
Cut into about 12 pieces, place in a greased 9x13 inch pan. Let rise in warm place until they double in size. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or browned on top. While warm spread with frosting. One trick she used to make the rolls rise faster was to warm your oven and then stick them in your oven for about 30 minutes and they will be the perfect size!

Frosting Ingredients (or use canned cream cheese frosting):
4 oz. cream cheese
4 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 2/3 cups powered sugar
2 tablespoons milk

Try them they are easy and so good!

Recipe Request

So, Melissa, I am wondering if you will post your fabulous corned beef recipe so that we can make it on St. Patrick's Day (and cry and think of you)?

Bacon & Tomato Pasta

This one is very easy, and very yummy...

1 box Bow Tie pasta
1 pkg Bacon
2 cans Italian Stewed Tomatoes or Diced Tomatoes w/ Italian herbs added
Grated Parmesan Cheese

Cook bacon in frying pan until crisp. Remove and let dry until it can be crumbled. Crumble bacon. Remove most of bacon grease from pan (leave a Tbsp or so) Add all tomatoes to frying pan and bring to simmer. Add crumbled bacon. Boil pasta. Top with Parmesan Cheese. Done. You can add your own variations to make this more or less healthy!