Mrs. Field Banana Bread

Mrs. Fields Banana Bread

1 1/4 Cup Flour

3/4 Tsp baking soda

Pinch of salt

1/2 Cup butter softened

3/4 Cup brown sugar

1 egg

3 ripe bananas, mashed

1/2 Tsp vanilla

Chopped nuts/chocolate chips (optional)

Combine wet and dry ingredients seperately, then slowly fold dry into wet, being careful not to over mix. Stir in chips or chopped nuts if using. Bake in greased loaf pan at 325 for 1 hour. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then on wire rack.

Beef BBQ Cups

Beef BBQ Cups

3/4 lb. ground beef

1 can flake type biscuits

1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese (I tend to use more)

1/2 c. bbq sauce (again, I use more to taste)

1/2 tsp. instant minced onion

Brown and drain hamburger. Add BBQ sauce and onions. Stir well. Shape biscuits into muffin pan with fingers (basically line the little hole with the biscuit, kind of like a pie crust). Put the hamburger mixture into the wells of the biscuits and sprinkle cheese on top. Bake about 8-10 minutes at 400degrees F or until brown.

Barefoot Contessa's Chicken Piccata

Lemon Juice:

Barefoot Contessa's Chicken Piccata

2 split (1 whole) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 extra-large egg

1/2 tablespoon water

3/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs

Good olive oil

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, divided

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons), lemon halves reserved

1/2 cup dry white wine

Sliced lemon, for serving

Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound out to 1/4-inch thick. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
Mix the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a shallow plate. In a second plate, beat the egg and 1/2 tablespoon of water together. Place the bread crumbs on a third plate. Dip each chicken breast first in the flour, shake off the excess, and then dip in the egg and bread crumb mixtures.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium to medium-low heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 2 minutes on each side, until browned. Place them on the sheet pan and allow them to bake for 5 to 10 minutes while you make the sauce.
For the sauce, wipe out the saute pan with a dry paper towel. Over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and then add the lemon juice, wine, the reserved lemon halves, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Boil over high heat until reduced in half, about 2 minutes. Off the heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and swirl to combine. Discard the lemon halves and serve 1 chicken breast on each plate. Spoon on the sauce and serve with a slice of lemon and a sprinkling of fresh parsley.

To Die For Roast

To Die For Roast

1 beef roast, any kind

1 package dried brown gravy mix

1 package dried Italian salad dressing mix

1 package dried ranch dressing mix

1/2 cup water

Place beef roast in Crock-Pot. Mix together the dried mixes in a bowl and sprinkle over roast. Pour the water around the roast. Cook on low for 7-9 hours.

Beth's Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Beth's Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup raisins

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, butter flavored shortening, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Stir in the oats and raisins. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes until light and golden. Do not overbake. Let them cool for 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheets to cool completely. Store in airtight container. Make sure you get some, because they don't last long!

**These are Brian's favorite cookies!!

Black Bottom Cupcakes

Black Bottom Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup white sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup water
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/3 cup white sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line two 12 cup muffin pans with paper liners. Sift together the flour, baking soda, cocoa powder and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup sugar, oil and water until blended. Stir in the vinegar and vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture until incorporated. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, egg, 1/3 cup sugar and salt. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Fill muffin cups 1/3 full with chocolate batter, then top with a heaping tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture. Bake cupcakes in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until done.