Oatmeal Banana Muffins

Don't let the word 'muffin' throw you off here. With no flour in this recipe, it really doesn't produce a muffin.  I felt they were more like a bowl of oatmeal with banana and chocolate chip mixed in, but in a handy muffin shape.  Great for on the go breakfast.

What you will need: 3 ripe mashed bananas,1 cup milk, 2 eggs, 1 tbsp baking powder, 3 cups oats, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix all ingredients except the chocolate chips together; let sit while you prepare the muffin pans. Spray a muffin pan with non-stick spray or line with cupcake liners. Stir the chocolate chips into the oatmeal mixture.  Fill the cups to the tops and bake 20-30 minutes.  I have been storing these in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.

Experiment and add in other favorites like walnuts, raisins, cinnamon, or whatever else you like.

Cheesy Quinoa Bites

This is a perfect recipe for a summer day.  You have to start the oven, but they go well with a salad and you have a meal.

What you will need: 2 cups cooked quinoa, 2 large eggs, 1 cup shredded carrot, 1 cup shredded zucchini, 2 stalks green onion, 2 cloves garlic, minced , 1/2 cup grated cheddar, 2 Tbs all-purpose flour , 1/2 tsp seasoning salt , 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together quinoa, carrot, egg, green onion, garlic, zucchini, cheese, flour, salt and pepper.
3. Distribute mixture into a greased mini muffin tin, filling each cup to the top (1 heaping Tbs each).
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Before baking.

Notice the carrot and zucchini were in big shreds. I used my food processor. Next time I will use a grater so they are smaller.



We dipped these in ranch dressing, but I'm sure they'd be good with almost any summer time dip. This is a perfect compliment to a salad as you get your protein from the quinoa.

Chicken Tacos

These were super easy and delicious!

What you will need: 4-6 chicken breast, 1 cup salsa, 1 can fiesta cheese soup, one envelope of taco seasoning.

Get out your slow cooker!  Put the chicken breast in the slow cooker. I threw mine in frozen.  Pour the salsa, soup, and seasoning on top. Stir it together. Set on low for 6 hours.  Serve with your favorite taco toppings.

I also use my own taco seasoning, which is 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tbsp paprika, 1tsp garlic, 1tsp salt.  I usually add a little extra cumin because I like it so much.

Pork Chop and Potato Bake

I apologize for not posting recently. Here is a recipe from one of those old time church cook books.  An easy one dish meal. Who doesn't love that?

What you need: 6 pork chops (I used 4), seasoning salt, vegetable oil, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 package (24oz) hash brown potatoes-thawed, 1 can Frenches fried onions, 1 can cream of celery soup, 1 cup shredded cheddar, salt and pepper.

Heat a little amount of oil in a skillet and brown the chops.  Sprinkle with seasoning salt and set aside.  Combine milk, sour cream, soup, salt and pepper.  Stir in the potatoes, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 can of french fried onions. Place mixutre into a 9x13 baking dish. Arrange the pork chops on top. Bake, covered, at 350 for 45 minutes or until chops are done.  Top with remaining cheese and onions; bake uncovered for 5 minutes.