MEATBALL SUB BAKE 

Ingredients:

1 package refrigerated biscuits

1 Jar Marinara sauce (I prefer Raos)

1 10oz bag of frozen meatballs

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Open container of biscuits, separate and cut or tear each one into 4ths.  Place in a greased baking dish.   Pour one jar of marinara sauce over top of biscuits.   Place meatballs in pan on top of sauce and push them down slightly.  Top with cheese.  Over loosely with foil and back at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.  Uncover and cook for another 10 minutes.    

Banana Nut Muffins

Ingredients

 2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 overripe bananas

1 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

2 eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and lightly butter 2 muffin tins.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. Mash 2 of the bananas with a fork in a small bowl so they still have a bit of texture. With an electric mixer fitted with a wire whisk, whip the remaining bananas and sugar together like you mean it, for a good 3 minutes. Add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla and beat well, scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice. Mix in the dry ingredients just until incorporated. Fold in the nuts and the mashed bananas with a rubber spatula. Spoon the batter into the muffin tins to fill them about halfway. Give them a rap on the counter to get any air bubbles out.

Bake until a toothpick stuck in the muffins comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes before turning the muffins out. Serve warm or at room temperature.

**Substitution:   If you don't have pecans on hand these muffins are equally good with chocolate chips added in (as pictured above), or just plain.

Broccoli Salad

Broccoli Salad

A former neighbor brought this over as part of a meal when we had our second child.  It's been a keeper ever since and is often requested for summer cookouts.   

1 large head of broccoli, chopped (including peeled stalk)

1 medium onion, chopped fine

1 can diced water chestnuts

½  cup of raisins or sunflower seeds (optional)

10 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled 

Dressing:

1 cup mayo

1 tbsp. vinegar

½ cup sugar 

Add first 4 ingredients to bowl and mix.   Mix dressing in a small bowl until well blended and then pour over salad mixture.   Best if made a day in advance.  Add bacon just before serving so it will not get soggy.

 

 

Sesame Chicken

 

 

3-4 chicken breasts (raw), cubed

¼ cup sesame seeds

½ cup soy sauce (I use low sodium)

1/3 cup vegetable oil

¼ cup brown sugar

½ tsp. pepper

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. dried ginger or fresh grated

3-4 chopped scallions (green onions)

 

Mix all ingredients except green onions in a bowl or large Ziploc bag.  Add cubed chicken.  Marinate 1-4 hours in the refrigerator.  Place in a 9x13 pan and broil for 10 minutes (or longer if needed), turning at least 2 times.   Add chopped scallions and broil 5 more minutes.  Serve over rice.

  

(This is an awesome dish!!  Very quick and easy and tastes great!!   I have mixed the marinade the night before and added the chicken in the morning and let sit in fridge all day).



"O'hana" Vegetarian lettuce wraps

O'hana is a fabulous restaurant at the Polynesian Resort at Walt Disney World.  One of our favorite places to eat.   Recently, they have added vegetarian lettuce wraps to the menu.  After enjoying them on our last visit, I created this at home version. 

Ingredients:
 

Bib or Romaine lettuce

1 package broccoli slaw

Edamame, shelled 

Sauce:

1/3 cup hoison sauce

2 tsp. lime juice

1 Tbsp. honey

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 tsp peeled and grated ginger root

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. sesame oil (optional)

1 tsp chile-garlic sauce (such as Siracha)

¼ tsp. black pepper

Mix slaw and edamame in medium to large bowl.  In small bowl, add all sauce ingredients and whisk until well blended.  Mix into slaw mixture.  Refrigerate for one hour until serving to let flavors meld.  Serve in lettuce cups. 

Banana/Blueberry Bread

Banana/Blueberry Bread

½ cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

3 medium bananas

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/3 cup hot water

1 cup blueberries (optional)

1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

½ cup walnuts (optional)

 

Melt butter and blend in sugar, mix in beaten eggs and mashed bananas….blending until smooth.  Sift in flour with salt/soda.  Add wheat flour, hot water.  Stir in blueberries, chocolate chips or nuts if any are desired.  Bake at 325 for 1 hour and 10 minutes. 

*This has been the "go-to" banana bread recipe for about 10 years now.  You can't find one that is tastier....especially if you make it with the chocolate chips!**