Banana Bread

There are probably a 100 million banana bread recipes out there that are ALL good, but I have to share yet another yummy one I happened to make!  In some random google search I came across this recipe and boy am I glad I did!

Tip: I used 2 - 8" loaf pans with perfect results.  You can also add 1 cup of toasted pecans if you wish.

Enjoy!

Banana Bread

1 Cup Butter, softened
2 Cups Sugar
4 Eggs
3 Cups Flour
2 Tsp Baking Soda
2 Tsp Salt
2 Cups Banana, mashed (approximately 5 bananas)
2 Tsp Vanilla
1 Cup Sour Cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease loaf pans.  Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt (and pecans if desired) together in bowl - set aside.  In separate bowl,  mash bananas - add sour cream and vanilla until combined.  With stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy (3-5 minutes).  Add eggs, one at a time.  While mixer is running, add banana mixture and mix until just combined.  Stir in flour mixture by hand - making sure any batter on the bottom of the bowl is well incorporated.  Pour batter into prepared bans and bake for approximately 45-60 minutes.  Bread will be golden brown, with toothpick coming clean from the center.  Let bread cool for 20 minutes in pan before turning on wire racks to finish cooling.

Baked Ravioli

This probably doesn't classify as a recipe, but I'm going to share it anyways!  Thanks to pinterest I saw this idea.  I wanted to call is "Lazy Lasagna," but not everyone likes to admit they took the "lazy" way to supper! ;)  My kids went crazy over this dish and it literally took me less than 10 minutes to get in the oven!

Enjoy!

Baked Ravioli

1 Bag Frozen Ravioli (use whatever flavor you prefer - we used beef ravioli)
1 Jar Marinara Sauce
2 Cups Shredded Mozzarella
Parmesan Cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.   Spray bottom and sides of 9x13" pan with cooking spray.  Take about 1/2-3/4 Cup of sauce and spread on bottom.  Put a single layer of ravioli over sauce.  Top with 1/2 of the remaining sauce and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella.  Repeat layer, starting with ravioli.  Sprinkle very top with parmesan cheese.  Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.  Remove foil and bake for additional 10-15 minutes - until bubbly and hot in the center.  Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Wee Bit Spicy Chili

I love a good hearty chili!  Especially on a cool fall day and even more so on a wintery day here in Minnesota!  I came across this recipe and after laughing for quite some time decided I must give it a try!  I gave it a few tweaks and love it so!  The green beans are an addition I've never had in chili, but they give it a wonderful depth of flavor.  FYI: as the title states, it is a wee bit spicy, so my kids didn't quite enjoy as much as the adults did.

Enjoy!

Wee Bit Spicy Chili

1 Tsp Basil Leaves
1 Tbsp Onion Powder
3 Tsp Chili Powder
2 Tsp Ground Cumin
2 Tsp Ground Cayenne Red Pepper
1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
2 Tsp Sugar
2 Tbsp Flour
1 - 29 oz Can Tomato Sauce
1 - 15 oz Can Tomato Sauce
1 - 14.5 oz Can Petite Diced Tomatoes
1 - 15 oz Can Light Red Kidney Beans, drained
1 - 15 oz Can White Beans, drained
1 - 14.5 oz Can Cut Green Beans, drained
1 - 14.5 oz Can Corn, drained
2 lbs Ground Beef
1/2 of a Sweet Onion (ie: vidalia), chopped
1/2 of a Green Pepper, chopped
3 Cloves of Garlic, minced
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
Beer

In small bowl, mix together basil, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, cayenne red pepper powder, garlic powder, sugar, and flour to make seasoning.  In large pot, dump sauces, tomatoes, beans, and corn - set aside.  In skillet, brown hamburger with onion and garlic.  Add green pepper to hamburger when about 1/2 done and finish browning.  Drain hamburger mixture.  Add hamburger mixture to pot with tomatoes and beans.  Stir in brown sugar and about 1/2 a beer to pot and bring to a boil (enjoy the other 1/2 of the beer).  Once at a boil, cover and turn down to simmer.  Allow to simmer for as long as you've got - remembering to stir occasionally.

Serve with freshly shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, saltines, or whatever is your favorite with chili!