WW Cranberry Orange Banana Nut Bread

Sick, Sick, Sick!  That's is what we have been, forever it seems, around here!  We get well and 5-10 days later, sick again.  A vicious cycle that I attribute to all the boys being in school this year.  Teachers are saying that this is what is happening with most of the children.   I'm not liking it.  No matter how much I wipe down, spray or douse everything, and everyone for that matter...the "sick", as Reid calls it, comes back to us.

I wanted to fix something for the boys and tried to do something a little healthier for them this time.  Sweet and a little tangy, nutty and yummy, with glaze or without out (my preference) it is a keeper here!  <3 and HUGs!

Whole Wheat Cranberry Orange Banana Nut Bread

1 cup all purpose flour 

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, use least amount and add more if desired

1 cup sugar, a little more if you need it

1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and sliced

1 egg, beaten

frozen orange juice concentrate thawed and undiluted*...to use in bread, 3/4 cup and topping, 1/4- 1/2 cup

1 teaspoon vanilla

1-2 bananas, mashed

1/2 to 1 1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 1/2 to 2 cups chopped/sliced thin fresh cranberries

Directions 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray loaf pan or bundt...this will be shorter.

Sift first 6 ingredients together in bowl

Stir in sugar

Cut in butter....flour will turn into a little coarse, sandy looking

Mix in egg, vanilla and 3/4 cup orange juice

Fold in banana, sliced/chopped cranberries and pecans 

Pour into greased desired pan

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.  

Rotate.

Cook another 10 minutes and check.  Checking every few minutes.

It is done when toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean and top is light brown.

Mine was done in 35 minutes.

As always, My oven cooks different than yours.  Check at earliest time and adjust cooking time accordingly.  

Let sit 10 minutes, run knife around edges to loosen and invert onto rack.

I like mine like this!  <3 and Hugs!

Cranberry Orange Drizzle

1/2 to 2/3 can whole cranberry sauce

1/4 to 1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate

1 cup confectioners sugar, adding more if you like it sweeter

Whisk all together and drizzle over individual pieces.   

You can also poke holes in the bread with a bamboo stick while bread is still warm.  Warm the glaze and drizzle over bread.  Make certain you have a plate underneath to catch the run off.  

*Note....I used frozen orange juice concentrate because that was what I had.  You can use 1 Tablespoon grated orange peel and 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice for the bread, instead.

You can also substitute freshly squeezed orange juice with  1-2 teaspoons grated orange peel for the drizzle.

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Shared on The Country Cooks Foodie Friday

Brined and Smoked Turkey

It's that time of year again.  Yep, Turkey Time!  (written a few weeks ago)

Getting ready for Turkey Day, I wanted to try different ways cook the big bird. I brined a turkey and my hubby, Ted, said he wants to smoke it. Being the considerate  person I am, I agreed! ~smiles~

Remember, turkey isn't just for the holidays.  This is perfect for a get together during the summer months, too.  We have done this many times.  <3 and hugs!

Make certain you have room in refrigerator to put the container you are brining your turkey in or enough ice to keep it COLD at all times.

Brine for Turkey


turkey..mine was 12 lbs
1  1/2 to 2 gallons water
1 cups coarse kosher salt
1 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup minced garlic
2 -3 stalks celery, cut in chunks
1 medium to large onion, cut in half
8 bay leaves..depending on size
1 stick of butter or margarine, cut in slices
turkey sized roasting bag
container to brine turkey in..I used a 5 gallon bucket, bleached.  The turkey was put in the roasting bag, inside the bucket, inside the fridge! ;D

Rinse bird and remove neck and giblets. Save these if you want to make gravy.
Mix 1 1/2 gallons water and remaining ingredients in a pitcher or container.
Stir to dissolve.
Put rinsed turkey in bag then in container.
Pour brine over turkey.
Add more water if needed.
Brine overnight.  If brining for a shorter amount of time, increase the sugar and salt by 1 cup each.

Take out of brine and rinse thoroughly, inside and out.  Pat dry and place slices of butter under the skin.  You can add the veggies to the cavity if you wish for added flavor,  but do not eat them.  They will be too salty.

While waiting for charcoal to get red...presoak hickory chips for 30 minutes or more.
Take chips out of water and put on hot coals.
When grill is between 250 and 275 degrees...put turkey off to the side, away from the coals, on grill.
Check in an hour.  Tent with foil if the breast is getting too brown.  Our turkey was done in 3 1/2 hours.  Internal temperature in leg should be 175 - 180 degrees and the breast should be 165 - 170 degrees.

Greens

With cooler weather come Greens!  I just love a big ole pot of greens, but no collards for me please,  that have been simmered with ham seasoning.  reid  I see someone was on my blog.... <3  I like to cook them while in season and put in freezer bags for later in the year.

A standby side dish, or just eaten as a meal with Corn Bread and Hoecakes...it's a Southern favorite.  I have to admit, I hated them as a youngun and didn't acquire a taste for them until I was in my late 20's.  My boys don't like them now but I am certain, when they get older, they will like them, too.

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Sweet Potato Chips

Another fast, easy, delicious, and nutritious snack for your family and friends, while they await the much desired Thanksgiving Dinner!  <3 and hUgs!

Sweet Potato Chips

3 - 6 sweet potatoes, sliced thin 

I used three medium to get about 4 cups

enough oil to lightly coat potatoes 

salt, pepper (black or cayenne, if you like a kick!) and cinnamon sugar* to taste

*Cinnamon Sugar

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon..or to your taste

 Place what you don't use in an airtight container for later use.

Preheat oven to 350 and spray cookie sheet(s)

I used 2.

Slice sweet potatoes in thin rounds, I ended up with bits and pieces and had to eat those.  You just don't want to send out a plate of little pieces.   ;D

Drizzle with oil and toss to lightly coat potatoes.  (You can skip this if you would rather....

Arrange slices on cookie sheets and spray with oil.)

Place potatoes on cookies sheets.

Sprinkle with desired amount of sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

Cook for 10 minutes and turn pans.

Cook an additional 5 minutes or so...checking every minute or two, until lightly brown.

If you slice them thick..just adjust the time. 

As always..My oven cooks different than yours.  Please adjust time accordingly.  Always start checking at earliest time.

I don't like these crunchy.  They still have texture to them.

Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar once out of the oven.  

Enjoy!  <3 and HUGs!

Baked Sandwich

If you have been around here for any amount of time, you will know that I like to use frozen dough.  We like to make this for lunch or a light supper.  You can make this so many ways.  Add crumbled cooked sausage, scrambled eggs, onions, peppers and cheese for a breakfast sandwich.  Use pizza, or spaghetti sauce,  your favorite pizza toppings and you have a great pizzawich.  The possibilities are endless.

A great way to satisfy everyone while you are cooking your holiday meal or use up that leftover turkey.  <3 and Hugs!

Baked Sandwich

1 loaf frozen dough, thawed

meat

cheese

sliced veggies

mustard, optional

flour to roll dough 

Sprinkle counter, or wax paper, with flour and roll out dough to a large rectangle.  Do not roll it too thin.

Top with mustard, if you using, meat, cheese and veggies.  

Or, whatever you are using inside.

Roll tightly width wise sealing ends as you go.

Wet edged and pinch to seal.

Place sealed side down on a greased cookie sheet.

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and done.  

Turn around after 10 minutes.  

Start checking in another 5 minutes or so.

As always...My oven cooks different than yours.  Please adjust time accordingly. 

Thanksgiving Dinner

Today is Thanksgiving. On this day I am Giving Thanks for a Wonderful Husband, My Beautiful and Precious Three Sons, Our Health, Our Home, Our Ability to Provide for Our Children, Our Animals that bring us Enjoyment and Love, Our Family, and Our Sweet and Beautiful Friends Here! Y'all really make the days Brighter, the Laughter Louder, the Smiles Bigger and the Love Warmer. Thank You for Being a Friend! May each of you have a Beautiful and Blessed Day! Much ♥ and Many Hugs!

Thanksgiving Dinner will be the same for us this year....


Traditional southern food.

Making too much!
Eating too much!
Eating at noon or as close to that time as possible.
And,  We will be eating alone.....Again.  It's just the 5 of us but I cook like I am cooking for a whole house full of company on the holidays.  ~smiles~

Turkey is roasting in the oven at 300 degrees.  Been in one hour, going to check it now, rotate, baste and tent with foil if needed.   It has been sitting in a brine overnight.  Here is a link to the brine, it is the same I used for our Smoked Turkey.

Along with our turkey I will make:

Ranch Deviled Eggs
Sweet Potato Chips
Green Beans with Almonds
Turnip Greens
Creamed Corn and Bacon, Corn Pudding or Corn On The Cob
Carrots
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Garlicky Mashed Potatoes
Chicken and Corn Bread Dressing
Corn Bread
Yeast Rolls, cheating and using the frozen ones..y'all know how much I like them.  ~smiles~
Gooey Brownie Pecan Pie Without Crust we already ate most of this last night.  ~bigger smile~
Mama's Blueberry Cake

Have a Beautiful Thanksgiving with your Loved Ones.  Thinking of you all and also those not with us any more.  They Are Always In Our Hearts and Precious Memories.  <3 <3 <3

I'll set a place at the table for you......<3 and Hugs!

S'more Brownie Truffles

I haven't been feeling like myself lately and didn't even think about making anything for the boys classes for the last day of school before Thanksgiving.....Today.  Until last night!

My oldest wanted me to make S'more Brownies.  I used a store bought mix, added graham crackers and marshmallows.  Once they were baked,  I decided to do something different with them..   So,  I told him I would buy donuts for his classroom and we went off to bed.

I woke up at 5 this morning and decided to make more brownies for his classroom and also started thinking about the S'more ones I made last night.  I would make truffles out of them...so at 5 o'clock this morning, armed with coffee and melted candy, I proceeded to make S'more Brownie Truffles.  I finished enough of them to send some and also the brownies I made this morning, to school with him.

I took the twins to school, came home and finished making theirs.  They made chex mix and paper cornucopias to put it in, last night.  <3  The truffles are easy to make and evidently really good also...there wasn't any left.  ;D

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Cast Iron Skillet Bottomless Apple Pie

My hubby has been after me to make a dessert that isn't hand held and doesn't contain chocolate.  I got up this morning and decided it was time to make one just for him.

I saw a recipe for an apple pie that Sandra Lee made and I adapted mine from hers.  Well, Honey, Here is your dessert!  You see that slice missing (much more gone now) ...You know who ate it, don't you?  Yep.....<3 and hUgs!

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The Most Beautiful Friends, A Doctor's Appointment and Bean Brownies

I went to the Doctor today.  The left side of my face has been drawing down, having headaches on the left side, tingling, jaw and neck pain.  I have also had a sinus infection forever!  I finally decided I needed to see what was causing all this and if there was a need for concern.  It turns out I have Bells Palsy.  The Dr. said there was no need for medication now unless it started affecting my eye.  I'm so thankful it hasn't and that my face isn't paralyzed.  I just have times when the corner of my mouth pulls way down and often the tendon in my neck with get really taut.

I mentioned this in a post last night on facebook and could not believe the Love, Support and Prayers I received!  Dear, Sweet and Caring friends let me know they were thinking of me last night and today.   It's a warm feeling of love that touches you when you need it the most.   My heart is so full by this!   I consider myself very Blessed to have such Beautiful Friends...Thank You from the depths of my overflowing heart!  <3 <3 <3 and Hugs!

While in the waiting, a recipe on tv cought my attention.  It was for Black Bean Brownies! I have seen this recipe before but have never cooked it.  I saw how super easy it was to make and if my boys would eat it..All The Better!  Protein and fiber in the form of a brownie works for me.  I even let them decorate the brownies themselves.  ;D  I didn't write the recipe down and didn't have the main ingredient either but the result was a Huge Hit by my picky taste testers!  They are on the thin side...could double the recipe.  They are very moist and chocolaty. One twin put a reese's cup on top of his and my oldest son put icing on his (I like this way the best)  So, if you are ready for Bean Brownies....here ya go!

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Bean Brownies

1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

 (I used a can of great northern beans, that was all I had, and forgot to rinse..oops I'm using black beans next for a firmer texture)

3 eggs

3 tablespoons canola oil

1/2 to 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 to 3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup mini chocolate chips

1 teaspoon instant coffee, optional..I didn't have any

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray 8x8 pan

Directions

Put drained, and rinsed, beans in processor or blender and puree

Add eggs, blend

I had to do this in two batches...My mini processor only holds 2 cups :D

Add remaining ingredients except chocolate chips and blend together

Stir in chocolate chips

Pour into greased 8x8 pan

Cook in preheated 350 degree oven

Cook for 15 minutes, turn around

Cook another 10 minutes and check with toothpick

Mine were done at this point but I think the recipe I saw on tv said 30-45 minutes. I think the black beans make a denser brownie.

As always...My oven cooks different than yours.  Check at earliest time and adjust cooking time accordingly.

You can put more mini chocolate chips or reeses cups the last minute, or so, of cooking.  Or,  top with frosting.

My youngest decided he would cut the brownies! <3 and HUGs!

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Everyone loves fried chicken!  That is, I have never met anyone that doesn't love fried chicken.  I know we do here and I can't remember ever going to a reunion, homecoming or any other get together, without at least one big ole pan full of crunchy, delicious pieces of fried chicken!

It is so easy to cook and so rewarding once finished.  Gather the family...no need to call your neighbors they will come aknocking on your door, to eat this down home Southern Comfort Food. <3 and Hugs Y'all!

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Moist chicken breast with crispy skin

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Pumpkin Apple Bites

I made these thinking there would finally have a pumpkin pie I would eat.  I like pumpkin but have never liked pumpkin pie.  These turned out great.  A little pumpkin and apple with cinnamon and brown sugar in a hand held crust.  Very easy to make.  My hubby was eating them as fast as they came out of the oven.  We just love little bites of everything, don't you?

Pumpkin Apple Bites

makes 16-24 (we kept eating the filling so not certain) ;D

1 -2 cups diced apples 

1 - 2 cups diced fresh pumpkin

1/2 cup brown sugar

1-2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

pinch of salt

flour tortillas, I used 6” and got three 2 1/2 - 3” circles  You can use a small mouth jar ring

Directions 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cut your tortillas into circles

Peel pumpkin with a vegetable peeler, dice 

Dice apples.

Toss both with brown sugar and cinnamon.

Heat tortillas in microwave, a few at a time,  for 5 – 10 seconds.

Fit into mini muffin tins.

Add pumpkin and apple mixture.

Cook in a preheated oven for 5-12 minutes.  Until set and tortilla cups are starting to brown.

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Sausage Rolls

An easy make ahead breakfast or after school snack.  Two ingredients and you are set!  Great for appetizers while watching football with spicy or honey mustard.

Sausage Rolls

1 bag frozen yeast rolls

1 package, 10-12 brown n serve sausage links
(double the sausage if you are leaving the sausage whole)

Thaw rolls as directed.

Thaw sausage and cut in half.

Once thawed, stretch dough to make a circle.

Place sausage half inside. 
You can also leave sausage whole, stretch and wrap around.

Roll up and tuck ends over top, flip over and place in greased 13x9 pan. 

If cooking at a later time, spray tops, cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator.  Get out in the morning and let them set, and come to room temperature, while your oven is preheating.  Cook as below. 

If cooking now...let double in size. Then place in preheated 350 degree oven and cook for 7 minutes, turn around.  Cook another 5 minutes and check.  These need to be a little dark to cook throughout.  15-18 minutes should be good.

As always, My oven cooks different than yours.  Check before earliest time and adjust time accordingly.

Top with butter and serve.  <3 and Hugs!

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Honey Bun Custard Pecan Pie

I told a lady where we get a truckload of pig delights (old bread and sweets) occasionally,  that I would give her a recipe for a Honey Bun Cake.  I really thought I saw a recipe, somewhere or another,  that used Honey Buns to make a cake.

Since I couldn't find one,  I decided to try and make something yummy from that box of honey buns.  The result was a egg custard pecan pie.  It is YUM!  The only thing is I made it in a 10" spring form pan and it should have been in a smaller pan for the amount of ingredients in the recipe.  That said,  Here you go...

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My Birthday Cake

Today I am 49 years old.  Not too young but not too old either.  Just a Happy Medium for me!  I had a Beautiful Day.  I received Soooo Many Beautiful Birthday wishes from Lovely Friends and Family!  My boys let me sleep just a tad longer than normal.  Made their own breakfast of...this is not normal by any means, Oreos and milk.  I know...I know....

Then they went to Walmart, our favorite store where everyone knows us by name!  Yep, that bad.  Go there that often that they are like neighbors and I have a friend from there on my facebook.  ;D They each bought a little toy to celebrate.  <3

My oldest told me this morning...Mom, I know you love to bake and I know you are going to make a cake today.  ;D  So that is what I did...Made us a birthday cake.

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Please note....I used a sparkler for this shot.  We did not eat this piece of cake.  

I have seen sparkler candles at Walmart and Party City. <3 and HUgs!

I used my Triple Chocolate Cake and added 1 cup each of chopped walnuts and caramel bits to the batter.  I baked this in a springform pan.


I melted the remainder of the caramel bits and a teaspoon or so of water,  then added a handful of chopped walnuts to it.  You can top the cake, but we really don't like icing and toppings on our cakes...Okay, It's me that doesn't.  So I make something for All the boys, little ones and hubby and add to theirs.  Hope you like My Birthday Cake! <3 and Hugs!

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EMM Church Supper #17

This Week's Cravings

Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup

I made this also since we didn't have Chicken Cordon Bleu for my Hubby's Birthday.  A Super Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu meal using the recipe for Chicken Cordon Bleu Egg Noodles  just adding more cream.   It Was Delicious!  I hope you like it also.

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