Zucchini Bread

A friend gave us this yummy zuchinni bread yesterday.  While I know she MEANT to give me the recipe, she never got around to it.  However, my friend Barbara gave me some amazing zucchini bread, and here's her recipe:

1 egg

1 c. oil (applesauce may be substituted for oil)

2.5 c. sugar

2 c. grated zucchini

1 T. vanilla

3 c. flour

1 t. salt

1 t. baking soda

3 T. cinnamon

¼ t. baking powder

1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)

1/2 c. chocolate chips (optional)

Beat eggs, add oil, sugar, zucchini and vanilla.  Mix well.

Add flour and other dry ingredients. 

Gently mix until well blended.  

Add nuts or chocolate chips if desired.

Bake at 325* for one hour in a lightly greased and floured pan.

Freezes great!

Apple Pie or Apple Crisp

 

My sister in law sent me this recipe yesterday with some rave reviews. She's a cook that I generally trust, and since we had some dinner guests, I decided to try it.
It was indeed very yummy, and yet, very remniscent of my french apple pie recipe.
While there are some amazing things about this pie that I love, I think my french apple pie recipe tops it. However, if I billed this under Apple Crisp, it is the best apple crisp I may have ever had (yes, I know - it is all semantics):)

The main differences are as follows:
The french apple pie apples are pre-cooked, which for me, results in a better consistency.

This recipe's struesel topping inclues oatmeal, while pecans and caramel sauce are sprinkled/drizzled over the hot pie. LOVE that twist!

While I served this pie hot, I had a tough time getting it out of the pie plate in single pieces - (it may be different cooled).

No matter what you call it - this is a great recipe that is definitely worth trying!

1- 9" pie crust
1/2 C sugar
3 T flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
6 cups of thinly sliced, peeled apples
1 recipe crumb topping (see below)
1/2 C chopped pecans
1/4 C caramel

Crumb topping:
1 C packed brown sugar
1/2 C flour
1/2 C quick cooking rolled oats
1/2 C butter

Directions for crumb topping:
1. Stir together brown sugar, flour, oats
2. Cut in butter until topping is like course crumbs. Set aside.

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl stir together the sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt
2. Add apples and gently toss until coated.
3. Transfer apple mixture to pie shell.
4. Sprinkle crumb topping over apple mixture
5. Place pie on cookie sheet so the drippings don't drop all over your oven.
6. Cover edges of pie with foil.
7. Bake in a pre-heated 375 oven for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and put back in the oven for another 25-30 minutes without the foil.
8. Remove from oven. Sprinkle pie with pecans and then drizzle caramel on top.
9. Cool on a wire rack.

No photos

While I don't have photos of the following two recipes, I've had them on the back burner for a while. I figured I'd just post them, and I'll get the pictures up soon.

Pecan Pie Bars

6 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 t. salt
2 c. cold butter (no substitutes)
Filling
8 eggs
3 c. sugar
3 c. corn syrup
1/2 c. butter, melted
3 t. vanilla extract
5 c. chopped pecans

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of two greased 15 inch x 10 inch x 1 inch baking pans. Bake at 350* for 18-22 minutes or until crust edges are beginning to brown and bottom is set.

For filling, combine the eggs, sugar, corn syrup, butter and vanilla in a large bowl; mix well. Stir in pecans. Pour over crust. Bake 25-30 minutes longer or until edges are firm and center is almost set. Cool on wire racks. Cut into bars. Refrigerate until serving.
Yield: 6-8 dozen

Quick n' Tasty Turkey or Ham Wraps

I've been making these for lunches for several years. I love the quickness, ease, and versatility of these wraps. I also love that these don't contain (or need) any dressing or mayo.

1 flour tortilla
1-2 slices ham or turkey
1-2 slices cheese (your preference)
Sliced tomatoes
Sliced red onions
Sliced red or green peppers
1-2 slices romaine lettuce or spinach

Place ham or turkey on microwaveable plate and top with cheese. Heat for 1-2 minutes until cheese begins to melt and meat is heated.

Quickly place in tortilla, adding tomatoes, onions, lettuce, pepper etc. on top and roll.

Three Ingredient Homemade Oreos

 

Need a quick chocolate fix?
My college roommate used to make these, and I loved them. I was thrilled to come across this recipe (in yet another SAA production)a couple of years ago. While these don't come out hard and crunchy like commercial oreos, they are soft and sweet and with their three ingredients, they are perfect for young chefs as well!

2 pkgs devils food or chocolate cake mix
4 eggs
1/2 c. vegetable shortening

Mix all ingredients together, roll into small balls and bake at 350 for 8 minutes, or until cracks begin to appear.
Gently remove from pan and allow to cool on wire racks.

Once cooled, frost with cream cheese frosting and top with another cookie.
If time is of the essence, store bought frosting can be used as well.

**This cookie dough freezes well.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream Cheese Frosting
4 oz cream cheese
1/4 c. butter or margarine
1/2 tsp. vanilla
dash of salt
2-4 c. powdered sugar - enough for desired thickness.

Mix cream cheese and butter together, then slowly incorporate powdered sugar. Once desired thickness is obtained, add vanilla and salt.