hold the lettuce salad

 I've been making this salad lately that has everything but the lettuce. I sort of made it up one day when we were out and now it's one of my faves. I put in all the toppings: cucumbers, celery, carrots and tomatoes, then added a little olive oil and red wine vinegar and a dash of salt and pepper. Yum. It's making my mouth water and it's 10:00 at night. 

I'm excited for warmer weather and more grilling, salads and fruit for dinner! What's your favorite salad?

banana bread cookies

I have this amazing banana bread recipe from one of my cookbooks.

I tried it out as cookies a while back and will never go back! 

They are so much easier to eat this way- especially for the kids.

Every time we have super ripe bananas the boys say it's time for banana cookies.

I always give in.

Lincoln

Banana Cookies

3 ripe bananas, mashed

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature

2 eggs, well beaten

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips

Mash bananas and set aside. (Use fork or masher- kids love this step!)

In a  large bowl cream sugar and butter together.

Stir in eggs and mashed bananas.

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt.

Add to first mixture and stir together.

Mix in chocolate chips.

This recipe actually calls for optional walnuts (1/2 cup) and no choc chips, but I modified it. 

Drop in spoonfuls on the cookie sheet. 

(I use my pampered chef ice cream scoop- perfect size.)

Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until edges turn golden brown.

This isn't a recipe where you want to take them out early to make them soft... they will be soggy if you do that! Make sure you see the brown edges!

Cool on rack before eating.

Next time you have ripe bananas think of this easy recipe! Enjoy!

fruit salsa

Fruit Salsa:

1. Gather any fruit you have- but especially strawberries.

2. Chop them up- I used my pampered chef chopper (Sometimes I blend them for a runny salsa.)

This time I used strawberries, pears, kiwis, blueberries and apples.

4. Combine and add a little sweetener, like honey, apple jelly or sugar if desired.

(Sometimes I don't add any extra sweetener- the fruit alone is pretty sweet.)

5. Serve with cinnamon-sugar chips and enjoy. 

Cinnamon Sugar Chips:

Brush a tortilla with olive oil.

Sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar mixture.

(Do one side or both.)

Cut with a pizza cutter.

Put on a cookie sheet and place in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes, turning once.

Let cool.

P.S. I used a little too much cinnamon on this batch- 

it still tasted great but just looks a little darker than I wanted.

crunchy caramel corn

 My friend, Rachel once brought this to a yw party and I could not believe that 1. it was homemade and 2. it was sooo delicious! She gave me the recipe and now every time I make it, I think of her. Even if she does live clear across the country. People love this wherever I go! Thanks Rach!

 Crunchy Carmel Corn

20 cups popcorn 

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup karo syrup

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. vanilla

Place popped corn in brown paper sack, top cut off to fit in microwave. In sauce pan put all ingredients except soda and vanilla, bring to boil. Boil for 4 minutes stirring constantly. Remove. Stir in soda and vanilla. Pour over popcorn and stir. Microwave on high 3 minutes. Stir every 30 seconds. Spread on wax paper to cool. Once cooled breakup popcorn and serve. 

Hi guys! Can't wait to share our favorite recipes!