MUFFINS

Almond Peach Muffins
Taste of Home Contestant Winnings 2012 - pg. 155.  Very yummy!

Peaches and Cream Muffins
Taste of Home Family Collection pg. 192 Very good!

DOUBLE BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

I made these for Lisa's birthday (2007). They are very yummy.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/gale-gand/double-blueberry-muffins-recipe/index.html

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups fresh or thawed frozen blueberries
• 2 cups flour (I used 1 c. white 1 c. whole wheat)
• 1/2 cup whole, 2 percent fat, or 1 percent fat milk
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a muffin tin or line the cups with paper liners. In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream the butter until smooth. Add 1 cup of the sugar and mix. Add the eggs, vanilla, baking powder, and salt and mix. In a shallow bowl, mash 3/4 cup of the blueberries with the back of a fork. Add to the batter and mix.

With the mixer running at low speed, add 1/2 of the flour, then 1/2 of the milk, and mix. Repeat with remaining flour and milk. Fold in the remaining 1 3/4 cups whole blueberries by hand until well mixed. In a separate small bowl, mix the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar with the cinnamon. Use an ice-cream scoop or large spoon to fill the muffin cups 3/4 full. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar over the muffins and bake until golden brown and risen, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool in the pan at least 30 minutes before turning out.

OATMEAL RAISIN YOGURT MUFFINS

These weren't to die for, but I liked them because they were healthy. The kids would eat them too. Made 2 batches of the mini pan. Got recipe from Dannon light and fit yogurt container.

1 cup flour
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar - firmly packed
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup vanilla or strawberry yogurt
1 large egg, beaten lightly
2 TBSP oil

Preheat oven to 375. Grease pan or use liners. In a bowl stir together flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and raisins. In another bowl whisk together yogurt, egg and oil. Stir the yogurt mixture into the flour mixture and stir the batter until it is just combined. Bake for 22-25 minutes.

PERFECT BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

We really liked these. Came from smittenkitchen.com.

5 T butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 large egg

3/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt

1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest (I put in about 1 tsp. lemon)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen (I used about 1 cup)

Preheat oven to 375. Prepare muffin pan for about 10 muffins (I think I got 12).

I used the Bosch for all these steps.

Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and beat well. Then add yogurt/sour cream and lemon.

Stir dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Mix 1/2 of dry ingredients in butter mixture. Only mix until flour disappears. Add other half and mix just until flour disappears. Fold in blueberries. Batter will be really thick.

Bake for 25-30 minutes.

OAT BRAN MUFFINS
These are really good and healthy.  The recipe came from Genevieve Beck.

Oat Bran Muffins

2 cans of crushed or tidbit pineapple (in its own juice) fruit and juice
1 cup raisins
½ cup applesauce
2 mashed bananas, ripe
¼ cup apple juice concentrate
2 eggs
1 T vanilla
Combine all the above ingredients; set aside
3 cups + 6 T. oat bran (I’ve also used oatmeal and obviously it’s different, but I still like it)
1 cup Splenda (I've only used splenda and I like it, but I imagine you could experiment with other sweeteners)
⅓ cup whole wheat flour
5 t baking powder
2 t salt
1 t baking soda
3 t cinnamon
Combine all dry ingredients together; then combine with wet; stir until well mixed.  Spray with Pam or use muffin papers.  Fill 24 muffin cups full (very little rising will take place).  Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees.  Makes 24 muffins.

ZUCCHINI, BANANA AND FLAXSEED MUFFINS
All of us really liked them. http://www.marthastewart.com/851872/zucchini-banana-and-flaxseed-muffins

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
• 1 cup lightly packed light-brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups coarsely grated zucchini (from 1 large zucchini)
• 1/3 cup mashed ripe banana (from 1 large banana)
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat 12 standard muffin cups with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, flaxseed, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add zucchini and banana and stir to combine. In a small bowl, whisk together milk, egg, and vanilla. Add milk mixture to flour mixture and stir until combined (do not overmix).
2. Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let muffins cool completely in pan on a wire rack, about 30 minutes.

SMOOTHIES

For a sweetener you can add vanilla pudding powder.

GREEN SMOOTHIES
Really good! Would never guess there is spinach in it. Very filling. Would be prefect for a lunch or breakfast. I didn't put in the banana. You could also add flax or protein powder.

1 handful spinach
2 cups orange juice
2 cups milk
1 banana - I didn't put in
8 - 10 strawberries (can use frozen)
1/2 cup blueberries (can use frozen)
8 oz yogurt (boysenberry or blackberry the best)
1 dash sugar

Blend spinach, orange juice and milk together first.

Once the spinach has blended well, add all other ingredients and blend.

If using fresh fruit, you can add some ice cubes for more of a frozen consistency.

SHAMROCK SMOOTHIE

We had this for St. Patrick's Day 2010. Everyone liked it. I doubled the recipe.

1 peeled banana, sliced and frozen

1 cup frozen green grapes

1 peeled kiwi

1 cup washed baby spinach

8 oz lime yogurt

1/4 cup limeade

Put everything in the blender as it is listed. Blend until smooth. Makes 3 servings.

TROPICAL FRUIT SMOOTHIE

Abagail picked this out for her dinner she made (waffles, eggs & sausage).  taste of home quick cooking 2009 pg. 104.

1 1/2 cups orange juice
1 can (8oz) crushed pineapple, undrained (cubed okay too)
1 medium mange, peeled and cut into chunks - used a frozen mixture of fruit
1 cup halved fresh strawberries (was part of frozen mixture)
2 medium kiwi, peeled and quartered
1 T honey
14 ice cubes (we used 7 because of the frozen fruit)
1/2 cup club soda, chilled (we used 7UP)

SMOOTHIE

Put all in blender:

1/2 c apple juice

1/2 c pineapple juice

1 shot wheat grass

1/2 kiwi

1/2 banana

1/2 mango

1/4 c water

ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM

ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM
Very yummy!

1 - 14 oz. condensed milk
1/2 cup cocoa
2 cups heavy whip
1 cup light cream, 1/2 1/2 or whole milk
1 T vanilla
1/2 cup pecans (walnuts good too)
1 cup marshmallows

Over low heat, cook condensed milk and cocoa until smoooth and thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool somewhat. Stir in cream and vanilla. Refrigerate in a bowl for 1/2 to an hour or more. Freeze and churn according to instructions of machine, adding nuts and marshmallows after about 20 minutes (halfway through the freezing process).

SWEET & WHITE POTATO SPEARS

SWEET & WHITE POTATO SPEARS
We tried these and all of us really liked them. I liked that you didn't peel the potatoes. Was easy prep. Went perfect with our BBQ.  Update: if using food processor use biggest blade.

Update: Good without the cheese too.  Also good with popcorn seasonings added.  Kids like to choose their own.

1 1/2# (2-3) sweet potatoes
1 1/2# (2-3) white potatoes
1/2 cup Kraft light Zesty Italian dressing
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
Parsley (fresh or dried flakes)

Preheat oven to 375. Cut up potatoes into spears. Toss in Italian dressing. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet (I lined with tin foil too). Bake 30 minutes and then turn the spears. Bake another 30 minutes. Last 5 minutes sprinkle with cheese. Once out of the oven sprinkle with parsley.

SWEET POTATO FRIES
We really liked these.  Nice and crispy.
Cut sweet potatoes into sticks (did pretty thin).  Soak in water for 30+ minutes.  Toss in cornstarch.  Put on a cookie sheet that has been covered with tin foil and sprayed with oil (Pam).  Drizzle with olive oil.  Bake for 15 minutes at 425, flip and bake 5 more minutes.

CRUMB-COATED POTATO HALVES
We all really liked these. Would like to try with sweet potatoes next. Jackson had fun helping me make.
1/2 cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt (didn't add)
1/8 tsp pepper
4 large potatoes, peeled and halved (I didn't peel)
2 T butter, melted
Combine bread crumbs, paprika, salt and pepper. Brush potatoes with butter (or dip) roll in crumb mix until coated. Place in a greased 9x13. Cover and bake at 350 for 1 hour or until tender.

OVEN FRIES
We really liked these.  Only had white potatoes would like to try with sweet potatoes.
I didn't measure anything just kinda added.  They were a little spicy might have added too much pepper and paprika.  Could also try other spices - onion or garlic.  

potatoes - cut into spears about 1" 
1 tsp oil
1 T sugar (didn't add that much - but the sugar helps it get crunchy)
1 tsp salt (used kosher)
pinch paprika

cookie sheet with tinfoil that has been sprayed with Pam.  Bake 425 for 30 min.  Can turn 1/2 way through.

PLAYDOUGH

PLAYDOUGH (cooked)

I really liked this recipe. Got kinda weird feeling after a couple of days - but I hadn't kept in a covered container. Was easy to make and play with. I did add the baby oil.

4 cups water
4 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 Tbsp. cooking oil
4 Tbsp. cream of tarter
food coloring

Combine ingredients. Cook in a big pan, sitrring constantly, until most of the moisture is absorbed. If you like you can knead in glitter for sparkly playdough when the dough cools. Store in a covered container. *This does not need to be refrigerated*

Special Note: Can add a bit of baby oil to get a softer texture and to make the playdough smell better.

SNOW DOUGH
Haven't made this yet - found in FamilyFun magazine. They said it won't dry out even after a month of being uncovered.  We got as a gift this year for Christmas from someone in our ward gingerbread playdough.  We had so much fun playing with it and it smelled wonderful.

Mix:
2 cups cornstarch
1/3 cup vegetable oil

With your fingers knead in 6T iridescent white glitter.  If the dough is too dry, add more oil one tablespoon at a time, until the dough is soft but a little crumbly.  Makes 2 cups.

SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS

MAMA'S BEST EVER SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS
I really liked this recipe - very easy! Found it in the TV Guide. Everyone liked it especially Abagail. I did more than 12 balls and would probably even make them smaller next time.

1# ground beef (uncooked)
1/2 cup Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs
1 egg
1 jar (1# 10 oz) Ragu Old World Style Smooth Pasta Sauce
8 oz spaghetti, cooked

Combine beef, bread crumbs and egg; shape into 12 meatballs. Bring sauce to a boil in a 3-quart saucepan. Stir in uncooked meatballs. Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes or until meatballs are done.

Serve over hot spaghetti.

MEATBALLS
Found this way to do meatballs on Pinterest.  They were so easy and we all really liked it.

Mix all together:
1# hamburger
2 eggs, beaten with 1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup panko or bread crumbs (did 1/2 panko 1/2 italian bread crumbs)
1 small onion, diced small
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp pepper
1/4 c minced fresh basil

Form into golf size meatballs.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes on cookie sheet that has been covered with tin foil and sprayed with Pam.

MILLIONAIRE CHICKEN

MILLIONAIRE CHICKEN
This was really good - both kids really liked it. It was a nice change having shredded chicken. Next time I would like to try it with curry instead of ginger.
serves 4-6

8 Tbsp soy sauce
4 Tbsp honey
2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
6 Tbsp oil (I use light olive oil)
4 green onions, chopped
1 tsp. Grated ginger or ½ tsp. Ground ginger (try curry)
ground pepper to taste
pinch of cayenne pepper
4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or a combination of dark and white, shredded. this is a good use for leftover roaster chicken.)
4-6 servings hot cooked white or brown rice

Directions:
Boil the Chicken breasts in water (Ginger Ale) until cooked through. Once done cooking, shred the chicken. (You can also do the chicken in a crock pot covered in water (or ginger ale) on low for 6-8 hours ).

Combine the other ingredients together in a saucepan and heat on the stove till it is just about to boil. Add the chicken meat and toss to coat. Serve on top of white or brown rice.