Oh sooo good!

I have really been wanting to share some recipes and so I thought that maybe I'd do it here. Since I'm home with Ruby and not working we have been having lots of yummy food around the house--maybe too much! We probably have three or four new dishes each week and one dessert. So, my little recipe notebooks (the ones Momma K helped me get started) are busting at the seams. Anyhow, I've picked out nine great ones (7 from allrecipes.com and 2 not) that we will without a doubt be making again and again. So we'll start with the Allrecipes ones. Just click on the name to get linked to the actual recipe.

1. Amish White Bread - I've overcome my fear of making yeast breads without the aid of a bread machine! This recipe yields two hefty sweet loaves perfect on its own, for sandwiches, or toasted.
2. Fried Empanadas - The filling they suggest is wonderful. I've also done just veggies with the spices suggested and cream cheese, a cordon bleu filling, and fruit filled with fruit, cinnamon sugar and cream cheese. Jared loves the last two variations the best! They are time consuming, but we make a whole batch (about 3 dozen) and then freeze the rest for quick hot pocket sandwiches on the go (400F, 18 mins).
3. Cinnamon Roasted Almonds - Great for fruity salads with a poppy seed dressing or just as a snack food. Easy and delicious!
4. Shredded Brussel Sprouts - Everyone loves these, even those that swear they hate brussel sprouts. Don't even attempt this without a food processor though or you'll go crazy (and probably lose a finger shredding all those sprouts)!
5. Sweet Potato Potato Salad - A great twist on an old favorite. I add some diced red bell pepper and red onion for color.
6. Antipasto Pasta Salad - We have gotten tons of compliments on this salad and it holds very well for potlucks and buffets.
7. Strawberry Cake & Frosting - We brought this to Legoland last week and the Danes LOVED it. They were very skeptical at first because it is a very pink cake, but it really tastes great!

And here are the other two...

Banoffee Pie - I guess this is a big hit in the UK (and in our house too!).

• 1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 c. butter
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 tsp. ginger
• 1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
• 3 bananas, sliced
• 2 c. heavy whipping cream (or Cool Whip in the USA)

1. Mix graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar, and ginger. Press into a 9" pie plate. Cool in fridge.
2. In a saucepan, boil UNOPENED can of milk in water--keep submerged by adding water as needed-- for 3 hours. Remove from pan; cool 10-15 minutes.
3. Open can and pour toffe into pie crust. Allow to cool.
4. Slice bananas over toffee. Whip cream (sweeten with sugar and vanilla as desired) and spoon over banana. Refrigerate before serving. Garnish with cocoa, instant coffee granules, chocolate sauce, or chocolate shavings.

Ruby's Chicken Fingers - This is a twist on a recipe I found for toddlers. Ruby's loves these and it gets her to eat her veggies!

• 1 lb. ground chicken or turkey
• 2 medium carrots, shredded
• 1 large apple, shredded
• 1 c. frozen spinach (thawed, chopped, & drained)
• 1 small onion, minced
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 c. bread crumbs
• 1/2 tsp. thyme
• salt & pepper (optional)

1. Preheat broiler.
2. Combine all. Shape into small sausages. Place on baking paper or greased cookie sheets.
3. Broil 10-15 minutes, then flip and broil 5-10 minutes until cooked through. Cool and freeze.
4. To reheat a few at a time, 1 minute on MED microwave power.

Anyhow, I hope that you all enjoy trying one or two of these! Have a great day!

Love, Bethany