Katie's Best Banana Nut Bread and Orange Poppy Seed Bread

The Best Banana Nut Bread and Orange Poppy Seed Bread 

    Recipe from All Recipe ~ Christina Jun

I wish I could take credit for these delicous loaves of bread, but I can't.  My friend Katie "The Motivator,"  made them for me and I loved them so much that I got the recipe to share with you guys.

Orange Poppy Seed Bread

 Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

3 tablespoons poppy seeds

1 1/2 teaspoons butter flavored extract

1 1/3 cups vegetable oil

3eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

2 1/4 cups white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract

1/4 cuporange juice

1/2 teaspoon butter flavored extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups confectioners' sugar

Original recipe makes 2 -9 inch loaves

                                                                                                        

Best Ever Banana Bread                                                    

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease bottoms of two 9-inch loaf pans.
2. Mix together flour, salt, baking powder, poppy seeds, butter flavoring, oil, eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and almond flavoring. Pour into prepared pans.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for one hour. Cool 5 minutes. Poke holes in top of loaves and pour glaze over.
4. To make glaze: Mix orange juice, 1/2 teaspoon butter flavoring, 1/2 teaspoon almond flavoring, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add enough confectioners' sugar to make glaze.

Ingredients

• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (1 cup)
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract          
•       1 cup chopped walnuts                                                      
•       Recipe from Taste of Home
• ****optional 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions

• In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine the eggs, bananas, oil, buttermilk and vanilla; add to flour mixture, stirring just until combined. Fold in nuts.
• Pour into a greased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pan. Bake at 325° for 1 hour 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Yield: 1 loaf.

Flop Flowers fall on top of the Pie

Master of Disaster

 The flowers fell on top of the Banana Cream Pie's

 I was taking the pictures and the back drop fell forcing the vase of flowers on my pie. 

Last night I had another M.O.D.  I don't have any pictures because my dogs licked away all proof.  I will just tell you what happened.  I was holding a pastry bag filled with pudding, while I was looking for the tip for my piping bag.  I kept re tracking all my steps.  And nothing, I just couldn't find the tip.  While I was circling the kitchen looking, I step into a pile of pudding.  Yes, while I was walking holding the bag, some of the pudding was seeping out of the bag.  I was so irritated at first and then it hit me~ this will be a funny picture for my M.O.D. section.  I ran to get my camera and when I got back my dog had licked up all the pudding.

Katie gave me this awesome apron.

Katie and I went to Perry Creek today, to wine taste with our husbands.   Well, when she showed up to my house, she came bearing gifts.   It was this AWESOME apron.  What a great surprise, it made my day and week.  It is great to have friends that lifts you up and supports all your crazy endeavors.   You would think the apron was enough but no, she had 2 loaves of bread in hand.  I will post pictures and recipes in the next post.   

Churro's

Recipe from Allrecipe

 Ingredients

 1 cup water

 2 1/2 tablespoons white sugar

 1/2 teaspoon salt

 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

 1 cup all-purpose flour

 2 quarts oil for frying

 1/2 cup white sugar, or to taste

 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine water, 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar, salt and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Stir in flour until mixture forms a ball.
2. Heat oil for frying in deep-fryer or deep skillet to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Pipe strips of dough into hot oil using a pastry bag. Fry until golden; drain on paper towels.
3. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon. Roll drained churros in cinnamon and sugar mixture. 

         

Pillsbury Cream Puffs

I ran out of Churro's, so I pulled out a can of Pillsbury biscuits.      

1. Heat oil for frying in deep-fryer or deep skillet to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Cut biscuits into strips. Fry until golden; drain on paper towels.
2. Combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Roll drained biscuits in cinnamon and sugar mixture or here are 3 other variations~ powered sugar, chocolate glaze and chocolate glazed filled with vanilla pudding.  *** How I made my chocolate glaze in a hurry~ I just melted Wilton's Chocolate frosting in the microwave for about 20 seconds. 

Claudette's Sweet Banana Mush

Recipe from Claudette Gartner

Don't let the looks deceived you, the smashed banana's make the waffles so good. 

Ingredients

serves 2

1.  2 banana

2.  1 1/2 teaspoon sugar

3.  1 tablespoon milk

4.  1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Put the banana's in a bowl, add the sugar, milk and cinnamon.  Then smash the banana's with a fork until it is all smashed together.

Iced Coffee

 I kept trying to find a recipes that tasted as good as Starbucks Ice Coffee.  Then today I just got an idea from nowhere, mix milk with coffee syrup. It was delicious and refreshing. 


Ingredients (no caffeine)
1 cup cold milk

2 teaspoons of Torani Coffee Syrup
1 teaspoon Chocolate syrup
Ice
I drizzled the chocolate on the inside of the glass,
then fill half way with ice.
Add the milk and 2 teaspoon of coffee syrup.
If it isn't strong enough for you add another teaspoon of
coffee syrup.

Caffeine
8 oz brewed coffee
2 tablespoons Torani Coffee Syrup
1/2 cup milk
Directions
1. Brew the coffe
2. Add the syrup to the coffee and put it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or to speed up the process you can put it in the freezer for 7 minutes.
3.  Add 1/2 cup of milk  and a couple ice cubes and you are ready.
If you don't have time to refrigerate make a stronger cup of coffee, follow all the steps above.  The ice will melt faster but since the coffee is stronger it won't tasted watered down.

I have only found Coffee Flavor syrup at Smart and Final.
I just found this recipe from the Pioneer Woman's blog and it looks good.  I will definately try it.  It looks good but seems like a lot of work. 
I have also tried the iced coffee kpaks and they are really good.

So far everyone I have made an Iced Coffee for has loved it!

Candied Bacon Waffles

     I am so happy I found this recipe at  Penny Candy Studious blog.

Stuffed Peppers

 This recipe earned its way into my Go To Recipes. 

Simply Love Food's Southwestern

Recipe Adapted from Simply Love Food

Since, my sister-in-law Julie has been a big part of this blog, I asked her to share her

 GO TO recipe with me and my readers.  I wanted to feature something she makes for her family.  She gave me a recipe she got on Pinterest for Southwestern Stuffed Pepper.

 I would suggest this recipe to anyone that likes stuffed peppers and Mexican food. 

 Ingredients

1/2 lb lean ground turkey breast 

1 cup chopped onions

1 heaping tbsp of homemade taco seasoning (or you can use the packaged type if you like)

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups of cooked rice (any type you like) 

3-4  bell peppers, halved and seeds removed

1 can of black beans, drained & rinsed I didn't have any

½ cup of frozen corn

1 (15 -16 ounce) jar of salsa ( I used a chipotle salsa)

1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Garnish with these toppings: fresh cilantro, sour cream,sliced avocado

Step 1.  Cook 2 cups of rice
Step 2.  Cut the peppers in half and seed them.
Step 3.  Boil the peppers for about 15 to 20 minutes, if you like them soft.
Step 4.  In a frying pan saute the hamburger, add the taco seasoning,onion, and 1 teaspoon salt.

Step 5.   Add the 16 oz jar of salsa or 2 cups homemade.
Step 6.  Add 1/2 Cup frozen corn I used Trader Joe's frozen grilled corn

Spoon the hamburger mixture into each half of the bell peppers and place back into the baking dish. Cook the peppers for another 15-20 minutes or until the peppers are cooked all the way.  Before removing from the oven sprinkle the tops of each pepper with shredded cheddar cheese. Place back into the oven until the cheese has melted.
Remove from the oven and top with fresh cilantro, avocado slices and/or sour cream just before serving.

I also wanted to Thank Brandi at Simply Love Food for sharing her recipes and inspiring people to cook.

Rice Pudding Dave Lieberman

 Recipe adapted from  Dave's Lieberman 

You will love the texture of this pudding and how easy it is to make.

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• Pinch salt
• 1/2 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup Arborio rice
• 2 cups whole milk
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Few dashes ground cinnamon
• Whipped cream, for serving

Directions

Bring water, salt, and butter to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the rice, return to a boil, and then reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Shake the pan occasionally and cook until rice has absorbed the water but it still al dente, about 15 minutes.

Bring milk, sugar, vanilla, and a few dashes of cinnamon to a simmer in a separate saucepan. Add the cooked rice and cook at a simmer over medium-low heat until rice absorbs most of the milk and mixture starts to get thick and silky, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Transfer pudding to a large bowl and cool to room temp.
 ***note~ In Dave's recipe he calls for a large bowl~
I don't think so! Notice that only half of the bowl has rice pudding in it.

     Dave's recipe                                            Contessa's recipe

Decorate your Glass with Armour Etch

I am hooked on Etch Armour right now. 

It is so easy and is a great way to personalize a gift.

Step 1. Get your supplies.
Etch armour, stencils or stickers, masking taping, paper towel and x-acto knife.




Step 2. I use the reverse of a sticker, I put the sticker on card stock and will use if to make the gift tag .





Step 3.  Use masking tape to make sure you don't get any ecth armour on the part of the glass you don't want.




Step 4.  Put a generous amount on all of the W.







 Rinse off in 10 to 15 minutes and you are done.  Fill with your favorite candies, popcorn,  or cupcake sprinkles. 

 I wanted to see if it was easy to just free hand some dots with a pencil eraser.  I was easy and I like the dots.

Joy of Baking Croissant Bread Pudding

Recipe adapted from Joy of baking 

Recipe

7 to 8 Big Croissants  

Custard:

4 large eggs

1 cup  granulated white  sugar

1 1 /2 teaspoons pure vanilla  extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled before you start the custard~ so it has time to cool off

2 cups milk and 2 cup half & half

Bread Pudding: Preheat oven to 300 degrees F  and place rack in center of oven. Lightly spray with a non stick vegetable spray, a 9 x 13 inch   baking dish. Place the baking dish into a larger roasting pan that has enough room around its sides to fill with water. Place the bread cubes in the baking dish. Custard: Use an electic beater to beat the eggs and sugar on high speed until thick and lemon colored (about 4-5 minutes). Beat in the vanilla extract and cinnamon. Then beat in the melted and cooled butter and half and half (light cream). Assemble: Carefully pour  the prepared custard over the bread cubes until completely covered. Press down the bread cubes so they are covered with the custard. Water Bath- (A water bath is used to provide temperature protection for the egg custard.) Carefully pour in enough hot water so that the water is halfway up sides of the 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Bake about 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Another way to judge whether the pudding is fully baked, is to gently press down on the center of the pudding. If any custard comes up to the top, the pudding needs to be baked a little longer. Remove the bread pudding from the water bath and cool slightly before serving. ***After baking it a hour it was still runny, so I put back in the oven for 10 minutes.

Master of Disaster~ Rice Pudding

After talking about rice pudding yesterday I had to make some today.  I tried Dave Lieberman's version with Arborio rice. 

I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out DELICIOUS. 

It just didn't sound that good to me, but all the reviews were excellent, so I decided to trust the people. 

  I put the oil I needed for my pasta in the rice pudding pan.  Do you see the big oil bubble?  I was lucky and got most of it out.

Rum Raisin Rice Pudding

I have been making so much Bread Pudding lately that I forgot about, "The Barefoot Contessa's" Rice Pudding.  My friend Dawn came over today and mentioned how much she loves rice pudding. So, I made some for her.  I have made the recipe several different ways... substituting half and half for cream, using just milk.  And each time I have loved the recipe.  

Adapted from Barefoot Contessa
Ingredients
1/3 cup long grain
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup cream
3 1/2 cup 2% milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 extra large egg or 2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions
Combine rice, salt and 1 1/2 Cup water in a sauce pan. Bring to boil, stir once, and simmer, covered over low heat for 8 to 9 minutes, until most the water is absorbed.
Stir in the cup of cream, 3 cups milk, raisins and 1/2 cup sugar and bring to a boil.  Simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, rice should be soft.  Stir often, especially at the last 7 minutes.  I have scrambled the eggs a couple times so I alway temper it. Click here for directions.  Once you have tempered the eggs pour it in the rice and let it cook for 1 more minute.  Take the pan off the heat and add the remaining 1/2 cup of milk and vanilla.  Stir well, it's ready to serve.

Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients

7 eggs
1 can evaporated milk
1 1/2  Cup Cheddar Cheese
1 - 3oz. can dice green chili's
1 red bell pepper
1 onion
1 package of bacon or 1 lb package of sausage (10 links)
1- 20 oz. package of Simply Potatoes or frozen hash brown
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch rectangle baking dish.
2.  Cook sausage over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble, and set aside.
3.  Beat the eggs, milk, 1/2 cup of the cheese, onions, red bell pepper, green chili, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper together.
4.  Layer the ingredients in the prepared baking dish in this order:
5.  1st layer -sliced, diced or shredded potatoes,  2nd layer -sausage, 3rd layer - the egg mixture.  Top with 1 cup of cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt.  
6. Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into center of the casserole comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Thanks for spending some of your day with me, Rhonda

Caramel Apple Cheesecake

Recipe: adapted from Paula Deen

If you love Cheesecake, you will like this recipe.  I think this is a great dish to make for the holidays.
I took a big piece of this over a friends house and they loved it.  Once again I didn't read the directions completely and I skipped a step,  I didn't line my pan with foil and bake the crust for 15 minutes.  The crust seemed fine to me so I am wondering if it is just more work for nothing. 

Ingredients:

Crust:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

Cheesecake Filling:

3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided

3 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Apples:

3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Streusel Topping:

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup quick cooking oats

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1/2 cup caramel topping for garnishing

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 forks, until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 9x13 baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 3/4 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.

In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture.

Streusel topping: 
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. I like to really combine it by using my clean hands to thoroughly combine the butter into the mixture.

Sprinkle Streusel topping over apples. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping and let cool. Serve cold and enjoy! Make 16 servings.

Weight Watcher's Taco Soup

For original Weight Watcher recipe click here .

Ingredients

1 teaspoon cooking oil

2 garlic cloves

1 yellow onion

1 - 15. oz canned petite diced tomatoes

1 - 15 oz. canned kidney beans

1 - 15 oz. canned pinto beans

1- 15 oz. canned corn

2 cups water

1 package of Ranch dressing

1 package of taco season

1 - 2 lbs. hamburger or ground turkey

2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon season or garlic salt

1 teaspoon pepper

*** optional garnishes ~ cheddar cheese, sour cream, corn chips, diced green or red onions.

First,  I add 1 teaspoon of oil to a pot and brown the diced onions.  Right before they are done add 2 crushed garlic cloves to the oil.  Then add the first 4 items to the pot and let it cook on low.  Then I brown the hamburger, I use 1 of the teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of season or garlic salt to the meat.  When that is cooked I drain the hamburger fat and put the meat into the pot.  Now add the other teaspoon of salt and pepper.   You might need to add another cup of water later on, it is up to you.   



I forgot the can of corn and 2 garlic cloves

Barefoot Contessa's Croissant Bread Pudding

Recipe by~ Barefoot Contessa

  Ingredients

• 3 extra-large whole eggs
• 8 extra-large egg yolks
• 3 cream or half and half
• 2 cups milk
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 6 croissants, preferably stale ( I usually use 7 croissants, even thou the recipe calls for 6) Today I did use 6 because I wanted to see if it made a difference.  I seemed a littler watery at the bottom.  See above picture

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the whole eggs, egg yolks, half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla. Set the custard mixture aside. Slice the croissants in half horizontally. In a 10 by 15 by 2 1/2-inch oval baking dish, distribute the bottoms of the sliced croissants, then add the raisins, then the tops of the croissants (brown side up), being sure the raisins are between the layers of croissants or they will burn while baking. Pour the custard over the croissants and allow to soak for 10 minutes, pressing down gently.
Place the pan in a larger one filled with 1-inch of hot water. Cover the larger pan with aluminum foil, tenting the foil so it doesn't touch the pudding. Cut a few holes in the foil to allow steam to escape. Bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for 40 to 45 more minutes or until the pudding puffs up and the custard is set. Remove from the oven and cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.





Key Lime Pie Cupcakes

Cupcakes Ingredients

1- box Betty Crocker White cake mix

1- box (3-serving size) lime-flavored gelatin

          3/4 Cup Water 

          1/3 Key Lime Juice or Lime

          1/3 Vegetable oil

          3 eggs

optional *** couple drops of green food  

   

Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. In large bowl, beat all the ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, Don't forget to scrape the bowl. Fill each about two-thirds full.

Bake 19 to 24 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Let cool.  

Frosting

1 -8 oz. pack Cream Cheese (soft)

          1/4 Cup Butter or Margarine (soft)

          1 teaspoon Key lime juice or lime juice

          3 1/2 Cups powdered sugar

In large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. On low speed, beat in Key Lime Juice and 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar until mixed; beat on medium speed until fluffy. Store covered in refrigerator .

                              

                                                                                          

                                               

Trash Bag Caddy

 Last Christmas I spent a lot of hours sewing.  I am not very good at it because I am too impatient.  I like to speed along, who needs pins?  Not me, I don't care if my stitching is straight.  I also don't need to picture the finished project in my head before I start.  And that is why one of my Trash Bag Caddies has the seam where I put the ribbon that cinches up and ties into a pretty bow. 
I bought the fabric at JoAnn's, it was in a package in the baby section.  You can't tell this by looking at it but the fabric stretches. 

Thanks for spending some of your day with me, Rhonda

Easy Pork Chops

 When I want a break from cooking, this is the dish I have my boys cook.  It's really easy and taste great. 

Ingredients

4 to 5  thick Pork Chops

1 small bottle of Barbecue Sauce

1 can or bottle of beer

1 to 2 yellow onions

Salt to season

1. Sprinkle Montreal Steak seasoning on both sides of the pork chops. 

2. Brown the pork chops and then take them out so you can saute the onions.

3. Put the the pork chops back in the pan and add 1 can or bottle of beer and a whole bottle of barbecue sauce. 

4. Put a lid on the pan and cook on medium for 1 to 1/ 1/2 hours. 

 The chops are done when they are tender.  You won't need a knife to cut.

I usually serve the Pork Chops with Baked Beans and Broccoli.

Monkey Bread

This is my go to recipe whenever I have company spend the night and I want something easy and delicious.  My son Michael loves biscuits so I always have a couple cans in the refrigerator.

                                    

Ingredients

3/4 Cup butter or margarine                                 

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons cinnamon

1 can (16.3 oz each) Pillsbury® Grands!® Flaky layers

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

Maple Glaze

1cup powdered sugar

1/8 teaspoon maple flavoring

1 Tablespoon milk

*** If the glaze is too thick add another teaspoon of milk.

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Melt 3/4 cup butter in the pan, then coat the inside of the pan with butter.  Pour the rest in another  bowl. Put the brown sugar and pecans in the pan.
2. Separate dough into 8 biscuits; cut each into quarters. In large -storage plastic food bag, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon.
3. Coat each piece of biscuit with butter and then put in the Sugar/Cinnamon bag. Shake the bag to coat. Arrange in pan.
4. If you have any butter left over pour it on top of the biscuits. I had a tablespoon left over. If not melt 1 tablespoon and pour it over the sugar coated biscuits.
5. Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until golden brown and no longer doughy in center. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Turn upside down onto serving plate; top with the glaze, pull apart to serve warm.