Roasted Broccoli

Pre-roast:
4 to 5 pounds of broccoli (two large bunches)
5 T olive oil
1 1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
4 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced

Post-roast:
1 lemon (zest and juice)
1 1/2 T olive oil
1/3 c. freshly grated parmesan cheese
3 T toasted

Authentic Mexican Guacamole

1 small white onion

1 clove garlic

2-3 avocados

5-9 dried red peppers (depending on the size of the pepper and how much "kick" you want)

Mash the onion and garlic until minced and flavorful. Add the guacamole. Add the dried peppers until it is spicy enough.

Tip: Add a small amount of lemon/lime juice if you don't want the guacamole to turn brown.

Puffed French Toast (Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom, Disney World)

Oh wow, this was yummy. Jeff and I ate this while at the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World. This one was a character buffet, so we also got to meet most of the characters from Winnie the Pooh! And one of the best parts was that we got a reservation at this place before the park even opened, so we got to walk down main street when it was empty! So awesome. This french toast was actually on the kids menu, but we loved it so much so I decided to post it. Enjoy.

Serving Size 6

4 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 each eggs
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 slices bread (Texas Toast)
oil -- for frying

Method:

1. Combine 3/4 cup sugar with cinnamon and set aside.
2. Mix egg, 2 1/2 tablespoons of sugar, salt, vanilla and milk until well blended.

3. Slowly add flour and baking powder and mix until smooth.

4. Cut bread diagonally into triangles.

5. Dip bread triangles in batter, allowing excess to drip off. Fry in hot oil until golden brown on both sides. Drain on absorbent paper towel. While toast is still warm, roll in sugar/cinnamon mixture.

Recipe Credit: allears.net 

Hour Rolls

1/4 c. butter
1 1/2 c. milk
3 T sugar
1 t salt
1/2 c. water
1 1/2 T yeast
5 c. flour

1. *Microwave first five ingredients until warm.
2. Add yeast and flour.
3. Knead.
4. Set in warm place 15 minutes.
5. Form rolls.
6. Let rise 15 minutes.
7. Bake 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

*This also makes great cinnamon roll dough and fry bread and pizza.

Recipe Credit: Kara Black

The Best Banana Bread

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, beaten
3/4 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
4 large, ripened bananas, mashed
6-7 small, disposable loaf pans (you can find these in most grocery stores, I bought mine at Wal-Mart), OR 2 regular sized loaf pans

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place 6-7 small loaf pans onto a large cookie sheet, or place two regular sized loaf pans straight into the oven. Grease each of the loaf pans with non-stick spray. 

In a medium bowl mix together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In a seperate large bowl, add the beaten eggs, butter, buttermilk and mashed bananas. Mix together with an electric hand-mixer on low speed, just until combined. Or you can use a whisk and stir by hand until combined.

Slowly add the flour mixture into the wet mixture. Stir until just combined. Pour batter evenly into the small loaf pans (or into two regular sized loaf pans). Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool.

Recipe Credit: Life as a Lofthouse

Cafe Rio Chicken

2 lbs. chicken breasts

1/2 c. zesty Italian dressing
1/2 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 pkt ranch dressing mix (mixed with 1/2 cup of water)
1/2 Tbsp. chili powder
1/2 Tbsp. ground cumin

Place all ingredients in a crock pot. Cook on High 5-6 hours OR on Low 8 hours. 

Shred with fork and serve in salads, burritos, tacos…etc.

You can also double or triple this to make extras for freezing. Then simply thaw and reheat for a fast and delicious meal.

Enjoy!

Yields: 6 servings

Recipe Credit: Life in the Lofthouse

German Pancakes

1/2 c. sifted flour
1/2 c. milk
3 slightly beaten eggs
1/4 t. salt
2 T melted butter

1. Gradually add flour to eggs, beating with rotary beaters.
2. Stir in milk, melted butter and salt.
3. Thoroughly grease a 9 or 10 in. ovenproof skillet. Pour batter into skillet.
4. Bake for 425 degrees for 20 min. Loosen pancake from pan with wide spatula.

Recipe Credit: Ann Taylor Divis