Banana Bread

1 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened

2 eggs
1 1/2 cup mashed ripe bananas (3 to 4 medium)
1/3 cup water
1 2/3 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder

Optional:

chocolate chips

nuts

Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes.  Cover with foil for last 10-15 minutes so top doesn't get too brown. 

Freeze the ripe bananas until ready to use.

Jean's Broccoli and Grape Salad

Salad:
1 lb. green grapes, sliced in half
1 lb. red grapes, sliced in half
1 bunch chopped broccoli
1 lb. bacon, cooked and diced
3 stalks celery, diced
2 bunches green onions, diced white and green parts
1 cup slivered almonds

Dressing:
1/2 cup mayonaise
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tbsp vinegar

Mix salad ingredients and add dressing before serving. 

Granola

This is our go-to homemade granola recipe, thanks to Sue M for sharing. 
Don't skip toasting the oats!

4 cups rolled oats

1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup nuts, coarsely chopped (walnuts, toasted almonds, sunflower)
¾ cup wheat germ
½ cup honey
½ cup vegetable oil (canola)
1 tsp vanilla
8 oz dried fruit (cranberries, cherries)
1 cup raisins

Spread oats on jelly roll pan.  Toast in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes, stirring once.  Transfer oats into bowl, add coconut, nuts and wheat germ.  Combine honey, oil, and vanilla.  Drizzle over cereal mixture, blending well.  Bake at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes until brown.  Remove from oven.  Stir in dried fruit.

Make this recipe Wheat Free!

Substitute ground flax seed for the wheat germ.  Add 1/2 cup chia seeds for good measure!

Ginger Cookies

From the kitchen of Dorothy O...soft and chewy ginger cookies!

1/2 cup butter
1 cup vegetable oil (Crisco)
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 tsp salt
4 1/2 cups flour
3 tsp soda
2 tsp ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp ground cloves

Mix butter, oil, sugar, eggs, add molasses and dry ingredients.  Chill.  Roll dough into small balls and dip into granulated sugar.

Bake on parchment or lightly greased pans at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes.

Makes 8 dozen.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 3/4 cups flour
2 1/2 cups oats
2 cups chocolate chips

Mix together and bake at 350 degrees.

Easy Slow Cooker Roast

1 package dry Ranch dressing
1 package dry Italian dressing
1 package dry brown gravy
Beef roast

Pour 1 cup water into bottom of slow cooker.  Add meat.  Sprinkle dry seasoning packages on top of the roast.

Cook on low for 7 hours.

After roast is finished, pour juices into saucepan and reduce by half, serve as gravy.

Hot Chicken Salad

1 package wide chow mein noodles

3 lb bag chicken breasts cooked and shredded

1 1/2 cup light mayo

1 1/2 cup light sour cream

1 can cream of chicken soup

3 cups chopped vegetables, any combination, frozen veggies work too

1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese

1/2 cup swiss

(or any cheese combination you prefer)

Combine soup, mayo, sour cream, and chicken.  Sprinkle 9x13 baking pan with half the chow mein noodles, layer in chicken mixture, veggies, cheese, and top with remaining noodles.

Bake at 350 degrees until heated through, 30-45 minutes.