Best Banana Bread

I've used this recipe for years--so moist!!

3 or 4 ripe bananas
1 egg
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cup melted butter

Bake at 325 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes in sprayed loaf pan.  (I go 60.)  Makes one loaf.

*Last time I did this I added 1/3 to 1/2 cup dry cocoa, and put it in cupcake liners and called it cupcakes.  Kids loved it!

*Also you can add chocolate chips.

Crockpot Chicken--my fav!

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I have used 4-6 breasts, also thighs)
1 pkg. dry zesty Italian dressing mix
1 cup chicken broth
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup

Put chicken in Crockpot with 1 cup chicken broth.  Sprinkle zesty Italian dressing mix over the tip.  Cook 2 hours.  Remove chicken and cut it up.  With chicken aside, add cream cheese and cream of chicken soup to the Crockpot.  Cook until bubbling.  Add chicken.  Serve over noodles or baked potatoes.

Grandma Grandma's Pie Crust

1 1/2  C. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 C. shortening
1/3 C. cold water (can cool with ice)

Cut shortening into flour and salt.  Add water.  Mix into balls.  Refrigerate 10 minutes.  Roll on floured board.

Resurrection Rolls for Easter

RESURRECTION ROLLS: (from beinglds.com)


(Each ingredient represents something used to prepare Christ's body for burial.)

refrigerated crescent rolls, separated into triangles (linen)

large marshmallows (Christ's body)

melted butter (anointing oil)

cinnamon & sugar (spices used to prepare the body for burial)

oven (tomb)

As you help your children assemble these rolls, teach them what each item symbolizes.

1.  Dip one marshmallow in the melted butter.  


Teach your children that people who loved Jesus lovingly cared for his body after he died.
They used special anointing oils and expensive spices to prepare his body for burial.  This was customary, but also a way for them to show reverence and love for their friend.

2.  Cover the buttered marshmallow in the spices.

 3.  Wrap the marshmallow in the crescent roll (representing the linen used to cover Christ in the tomb.)

4.  Seal all edges, although you might want to allow a small hole (near the top) for marshmallow to evaporate and to create a tomb shape.

 

5.  Place all of the rolls on a greased pan and cook in a pre-heated oven.


Close "the tomb" tight...and "wait three days"...actually 12-13 minutes!

6.  Cook as instructed on crescent roll package.

(Usually 375 degrees for 13 minutes)

Tip:  I check near the end to make sure all of the marshmallow has evaporated before calling the children to check on "the third day." (You may need to wipe up excess mallow with a paper towel if it hasn't cooked off all the way.)

5.  Place all of the rolls on a greased pan and cook in a pre-heated oven.


Close "the tomb" tight...and "wait three days"...actually 12-13 minutes!

Original Favorite Cookies

I made these cookies in my early adulthood, and haven't made them forever.  But I include them because they were my favorites back then. =)

2 cups brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
4 eggs
2 cups butter
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. salt

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Delightful Raspberry Salad

Really, the name says it all!  Love this one!

P is for Pretzels

Tried these in Learning School for making Pretzels into the letter P.
They were quite yummy!!  But I didn't do the baking soda wash--just brushed them with butter and sprinkled with Kosher salt.


Original Recipe Yield 1 dozen pretzels

Ingredients

• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 1/8 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup bread flour
• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast, brown sugar and salt in 1 1/2 cups warm water. Stir in flour, and knead dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover, and let rise for one hour.
2. Combine 2 cups warm water and baking soda in an 8 inch square pan. Line 6 baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. After dough has risen, cut into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a 3 foot rope, pencil thin or thinner. Twist into a pretzel shape, and dip into the baking soda solution. Place onto parchment covered baking sheets, and let rise 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with coarse salt, garlic salt or cinnamon sugar.

Footnotes

• Editor's Note
• When forming the ropes, roll each one to about half the length you want, then set it aside while you roll the rest. By the time you get back to the first rope, it will have rested enough to roll further.
• A 3-foot long rope will make a pretzel approximately 8-inches in diameter. Plan on using one baking sheet for every two pretzels.