Creamy Fruit Dip

I made this for our first Christmas Party and it was a huge hit --next time I will make a double batch! 

One 8 oz. bar of cream cheese
One 7 oz. jar of marshmallow fluff
1 tsp of vanilla
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Let the cream cheese sit out for a bit to let it soften. Add first three ingredients and blend, then add in sugar and blend until smooth. Suggestions for dippers: apple slices, strawberries, graham crackers, pretzels.

Basic Banana Bread

3 ripe bananas (the riper the better!)

1/4 c melted margarine
1/4 c milk
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c white sugar

2 c flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda

Mash bananas in a bowl. Add wet ingredients and mix (hand mixer or stand mixer). Add sugars and mix again. Add the last dry ingredients and mix until just combined (should be lumpy). Pour batter into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 for approximately 50 minutes. Test for doneness. You could also add a topping before putting in the oven - my usual is some chopped walnuts sprinkled on top of the batter.

Favorite Cran-Feta Salad

Start with a spring mix salad - I love the big plastic tubs of the organic spring mix that you can get at most stores.

Add:

Diced Cucumbers
Dried Cranberries
Feta Cheese crumbles
Chopped Pecans

Raspberry Vinaigrette to taste (WishBone brand is my favorite).

Easy Baby Food Pancakes

1 c plus 1 tbsp bisquick (I used heart-healthy variety)
1 egg
1/2 c milk (I used 1%)
1 jar, 1 small tub or 2 "cubes" of baby food.

Whisk together ingredients, cook on medium-heat. Makes about 10 4-inch pancakes.

Recommended baby foods: bananas, sweet potatoes, peaches or other fruit mixtures. Haven't tried veggies yet.

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

Dump in slow cooker:

2-4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
2 c barbecue sauce
1 can pineapple chunks

Cook 6-8 on low or 3-4 on high. Serve over rice.

Ground Turkey Enchiladas

one large or two small bell peppers
1/2 an onion (yellow or white)
1 tsp minced garlic

1 lb ground turkey
1 packet taco seasoning

8 flour tortillas (taco size)
1 small can meduim enchilada sauce
1 c shredded cheddar cheese

optional garnish: chopped scallions, cilantro or parsley


Filling (could make the night before): Saute peppers and onions in a little olive oil until tender. Add garlic, cook for one minute. Pour contents into a bowl. Use the same pan to brown the turkey. Cook turkey until no longer pink. Drain. Add taco seasoning contents and some water in the pan, stir and simmer for a few minutes. Add turkey to the bowl with the peppers and onions.

Assembly: Heat tortillas in the microwave (one minute on 50% power) so they are pliable. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray a 9x13 pan with non-stick spray. Lay out one tortilla at a time and fill with 1/3 cup of filling mixture. Roll tortilla and place seam side down. Pour enchilada sauce over the tortillas. Top with shredded cheese and garnish. Cook for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the tortillas start to brown.

Fruit Salad Variation #1

Mix together in a bowl:
1 container of cool whip
1.5 c vanilla yogurt
1 small package cheesecake flavor instant pudding

Then add:
1 c Frozen Strawberries, sliced
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 can pineapple chunks, drained
1 medium fuji apple, diced
1 banana, sliced (add lemon juice to prevent browning)
2 c mini marshmallows

Stir and enjoy! About 8-10 servings.