Simple Banana Bread

Banana Bread Recipe

INGREDIENTS
3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup)
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

METHOD
No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

Paula's Mom's Secret Toffee Recipe

Some posts only require the exact email I recieved:

Sarah,
Just had to forward you the message I got when I tried to get the recipe from my sister ... it's pretty funny.
Paula

"Hey there. I can't believe you want the toffee recipe. I don't have it with me, but it's on the counter at home and I can get Ryan to email it to me. Do you have a candy thermometer? (It has to register up to at least 300 degrees) You will need sugar, dark brown sugar, choc chips, almonds and baking soda,...oh and butter :) I think for a double batch (2 9x13 glass pans) it's 1# butter (4 sticks), 2 c sugar, 1 c dk brown sugar, (I am not sure about the sugar it may be 1c and 1/2 c so I will check) 1/4 c water. Melt butter frst, then add sugar and water and stir til dissolved and boiling. Medium heat. Continue to cook until at about 300. Over 300 and it burns.

[While sugar mix is cooking, grease bottom of pan(s), spread chopped up almonds (in "cuisinart") on bottom.]

It takes 10-15 minutes to get it up this high. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp baking soda. Pour mixture in pans and let sit for about a minute. Sprinkle choc chips on top. I probably put about 1 1/2 cups or a little more on each pan. Let sit for a few minutes to melt then take a rubber spatula and spread evenly. Sprinkle crushed almonds on top of choc. Let harden. Probably at least several hours. If you are in a hurry you could probably put it in the fridge or freezer. For Ryan I use vanilla chips. :) "

GF Oatmeal Cookies from Kim J

Hey Sarah,

Here is link for the recipe: http://todayscreativeblogw.net/gluten-free-cookie-recipe/
Here are substitutions/changes I made:

Sub almond butter for peanut butter
Sub virgin coconut oil for same amt of butter + 1 tbsp Earth Balance (I used soy free, but prob does not matter)
I used vegan chocolate chips

I never tried the recipe as is, but it is probably good too:)

Happy Baking!!!

Love,
Kim
--
Kimberly Johnston

Thai Pork & Vegetable Curry

"Thai Pork and Vegetable Curry"
Start to finish: 30 mins
Makes about 4 servings (we always had leftover)

From Courtney Rubens

 1 1/3 cups dried orzo
2 tablespoons oil
12 ounces pork cut into bite size pieces
8 ounces green beans, bias-sliced into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 red sweet pepper, cut into bite-size strips
2 green onions, bias-sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
1 14-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
4 teaspoons curry paste (I used a LOT more)
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons lime juice

Cook orzo.
Cook pork in oil, then remove from pan.
Cook green beans in rest of oil. Add pepper and onion. Add coconut milk, curry, and sugar. Reduce heat to low, stir until combined. Stir in pork and lime juice. Serve over orzo. YUM! ♥

Coconut Crusted Tilapia with Mango Salad

This is a SUPER simple recipes that requires only a few ingredients.  I love to make this in the summer because it is so light and fresh, yet filling!  I usually serve this with Jasmine rice, either plain or Cilantro-Lime (which is lime juice, salt & oil whisked together and stirred in to taste).  Enjoy!

Coconut Crusted Tilapia
Serves 4-6
What you will need:

-  4-5 fillets of Tilapia
-  1c Plain Panko Breadcrumbs
-  1/2c Shredded Sweetened Coconut
-  1/2t Salt
-  Egg Wash (1 egg whisked with about 1/4-1/2c milk)


1.Make egg wash in a bowl large enough to dip each Tilapia fillet and set aside.  Combine Panko, coconut and salt in square baking dish.  Get out your cookie sheet and preheat oven to 400F.

2. Dip fillet in egg wash allowing it to get thoroughly coated.  Then, transfer to Panko mixture (don't the wash be to drippy for this part).  Coat well, patting gently on both sides and place on baking sheet.  Repeat until all fillets are coated and sprinkle any remaining Panko & coconut on top.  Bake 12-18min or until golden brown and crispy and fish is flaky inside. (The timing really always depends on the size of the fillets)

Mango Salad

What you will need:

-  2 Mangos, pitted, peeled and diced (Ripe, but firm)
-  3T minced Red Onion
-  2t finely chopped fresh Mint
-  1 1/2T Brown Sugar
-  2T Red Wine Vinegar

1. Combine all ingredients, stir and chill until ready to serve :)

Dinner Menu Plan 8/7-8/14/10

     

To be eaten in no specific order other than what we're craving, have thawed or have time/energy to make that night......

• Butternut Squash & Caramelized Onion Galette (from Smitten Kitchen) with Strawberry Salad

• Grilled Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries and Fruit

• Coconut Crusted Tilapia with Mango Salad & Cilantro Lime Rice

• Cheddar Chicken with Wild Rice and Creamy Parmesan Salad

• Hamburger Helper with Greens Beans or Broccoli (Yep! We eat this crap.)

• Sage Browned Butter Chicken with Glazed Cauliflower and Salad

• Chicken, Mushroom & Asparagus Crepes with French Cut Greens Beans & Slivered Almonds

Links to Recipes & Pictures coming soon!

Blessings,
  Sarah

Pupus In The Park

This has been an incredible weather weekend here in Music City! After a long, hot summer this Labor Day weekend was the first of temperatures resembling early Autumn. It has surely brought many people outdoors to enjoy the natural beauty, arts, music and street festivals this town has to offer. Tonight we will be heading over to Centennial Park to watch my brother-in-law Andrew, an amazing musician, perform the pre-show music for Shakespeare In The Park. We had already planned on a light dinner of Pupus, or "small plates", so what better idea than to have a Pupu Picnic in the park while soaking in the setting evening sun, listening to intelligent tunes, and watching the children run around? Sounds pretty sweet doesnt it?

On the menu tonight:

• Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Necterines
• Grilled Goat Cheese Stuffed Baby Sweet Peppers
• Eggplant Caviar with Pita Chips. YUM!!