Banana Bread

I love my big stainless steel mixing bowl. I probably use it 3 or 4 times a week.

The recipe, as written, makes one loaf. I doubled it today and made two loaves of bread.

These loaves won't last long in this house. I hope you enjoy it!

Banana Bread

Preheat your oven -- 325 degrees for a glass baking dish; 350 degrees for a metal pan

1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

2/3 cup sugar or splenda

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda (increase to 1 tsp. if you use splenda)

1/2 cup butter or transfat free butter substitute (I used Smart Balance)

3 mashed bananas

2 eggs - slightly beaten

Spray loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Mix first 5 ingredients with fork. Cut in butter with pastry blender. With fork, stir in bananas and eggs.

Bake 55 minutes - 1 hour. Cool 10 minutes and remove from pan.

Oven Apple Pancake

This dish was a good choice for a light breakfast on Thanksgiving. It would also work well for Christmas.

It is simple to prepare, and makes up into something a little special for a holiday breakfast.

Serve with just a little drizzle of real maple syrup.

Oven Apple Pancake

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

3 cooking apples, peeled and diced (I used Macintosh)

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 cup sugar or splenda

Spray sides and bottom or a 9 or 10-inch pie plate with nonstick spray. In a bowl, beat eggs, milk, salt, and flour until smooth. Let batter rest for a few minutes.

Peel and dice the apples. Mix the apples together with the sugar and cinnamon right in the pie plate and distribute evenly.

Pour the batter over the apples and bake in 375 degree oven for 30-40 minutes.

Serve with maple syrup.

Baked Beans

These dressed up baked beans taste very close to homemade. A very simple recipe produces a delicious side dish. I hope you enjoy this mouth-watering recipe!

Baked Beans

5 slices pre-cooked bacon, prepared in microwave according to directions on package

1/3 cup chopped onion

1 21-oz. can vegetarian baked beans, drained slightly (just use can lid to drain most of the liquid off)

1 15 to 16-oz. butter beans, pinto beans, or mixed beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup ketchup

1/4 cup honey

1 Tbl. packed brown sugar

2 tsp. prepared yellow mustard

1 Tbl. Worcestershire sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Crumble cooked bacon, set aside.

Saute onion in nonstick pan about 5 minutes or until tender.

In a 1.5 quart casserole combine beans, bacon, and onion. In a small bowl combine the remaining ingredients. Pour sauce over bean mixture and stir gently to coat.

Bake, uncovered, for 50 to 60 minutes or until heated through and bubbly at the edges.