Tag: nani’s favorite

Nani’s Favorite Banana Bread

It’s not uncommon for my bananas to get ripe before they get eaten. Banana bread is a favorite family treat. This is my favorite recipe for banana bread. Baking at a lower temperature takes longer, but creates a much more evenly baked bread. I love mine with nuts and/or chocolate chips.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 ripe bananas
  • 1 Tablespoon milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 to 1 cup chopped nuts, optional
  • 1 cup chocolate chips, optional

Directions
Grease a 9x5x3 loaf pan. Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Mix in the milk, cinnamon and vanilla.
Add the banana mixture to the creamed mixture and stir until combined. Add dry ingredients stirring just enough to mix well. Add chocolate chips and/or nuts if desired. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 1 hour 10 minutes or more at 325 degrees. Bread is done when toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Remove bread from pan, invert onto rack and cool.

Woody’s Snicker Cake

Snicker Salad
Snicker Salad
There are no snickers in this cake, but it tastes like one big snicker. It is an old family favorite recipe that is sinful, but oh, so good! Not sure who Woody is or was, so not sure why it is called Woody’s cake. Try it at your next family gathering.

Ingredients

  • 1 pkg German chocolate cake mix
  • 1 package Kraft caramels
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 3/4 cup chocolate chips
  • 3/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or Spanish peanuts are good)
  • 1 small package instant chocolate pudding
  • 1 small container Cool Whip

Directions
Mix cake as directed. Pour 1/2 of batter in 9×13 inch greased pan. Bake @ 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Melt caramels, butter, and milk. Pour over cake. Sprinkle chocolate chips and nuts over cake. Pour remainder of cake mix on top and bake for 20 minutes more @250 degrees, then increase temp back to 350 degrees and cook 10 minutes more. Mix pudding mix and cool whip and spread on top of cooled cake. Refrigerate cake.

Supper on a Bread Slice

Here is another old fashioned recipe from my Mom. She used to make this when I was a young girl. It is really quite simple, but for some reason I thought it was really special. Try it, your family will enjoy this simple supper.

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup undiluted Carnation Evaporated Milk
  • 1 1/2 pound ground beef, lean
  • 1/2 cup cracker crumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1 Tablespoon prepared mustard
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 loaf of French bread

Directions
Combine all ingredients except bread and cheese. Cut loaf of bread in 1/2 lengthwise. Spread meat mixture evenly over top surface of bread. Wrap aluminum foil around crust side of each length of bread. Place on cookie sheet and bake @ 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Sprinkle cheese on top and return to oven for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Carnation’s Famous Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Here is another old recipe that I found in my Mom’s recipe box. She cut it out of a paper and glued it on a recipe card. It is the pumpkin pie recipe that she always made and hers were the best I’ve ever eaten. Your family will love this old fashioned pumpkin pie. Don’t wait for Thanksgiving to make it. It is good anytime of the year.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon cloves
  • 1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin
  • 1 2/3 cups (large can) undiluted Carnation Evaporated Milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 9-inch single crust unbaked pie shell

Directions
Mix filling ingredients until smooth. Place in unbaked pie shell. Bake @ 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Lower temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking about 35 minutes or until custard is firm.

Lentil Soup

Here is a nice lentil soup recipe that was given to me years ago. It is a family favorite and very easy to put together. It is perfect to use up that leftover Easter ham.

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup onion, chopped
  • 1 cup carrot, chopped
  • 1 cup celery, chopped
  • 1/2 cup red or green pepper, chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 can chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
  • 4 to 5 cups water
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 or 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 to 1 pound ham, chopped
  • 1/3 cup barley or 1 cup uncooked small shell pasta
  • 1 cup dried lentils

Directions
Using a Dutch oven saute onions, celery, carrots, pepper and garlic in olive oil for 15 to 20 minutes. Add water, broth, bay leaf, Worcestershire, tomatoes, lentils, and barley. Add salt and pepper to taste. Slowly simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Classic Italian Pasta Salad

This is a good pasta salad recipe that is from Crisco, when they were promoting their olive oil. I don’t know if they still sell olive oil, I prefer to buy mine from Mediterranean Drizzles. It is easy, good combination of ingredients and sure to become a family favorite recipe.

Salad Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked rotini pasta, drained
  • 1 – 14 ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1/2 cup red pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup provolone cheese, cut into cubes
  • 1 carrot, cut into julienne strips
  • 1/4 cup red onion, minced
  • 1 – 2 1/4 ounce can sliced, pitted black olives
  • 1/4 pound salami, chopped

Italian Dressing Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 3 to 4 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil

Directions
Combine all salad ingredients in a serving bowl. Whisk the dressing ingredients together and pour over pasta. Toss to coat, cover, refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. Toss again before serving.

Lemon Chive Brussels Sprouts

Lemon Chive Brussel Sprouts
Lemon Chive Brussel Sprouts
Brussels sprouts aren’t always a favorite of children, but they are sometimes intrigued by these tiny little cabbages. They are certainly full of flavor and here is a nice easy recipe that enhances their flavor with just a hint of lemon and chives. Although this may not become a family favorite recipe, I am sure the adult tastes in the family will love it.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed (see tip below)
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh chives
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon fresh dill weed or 1/2 teaspoon dried
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions
Place Brussels sprouts in a 2 quart saucepan; add enough water to cover. Bring to a full boil and cook over medium heat until Brussels sprouts are crisply tender (12 to 15 min). Drain water and return sprouts to pan. Add remaining ingredients; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 4 to 6 minutes.

Nani Tip
To trim Brussels sprouts: remove any loose or discolored leaves, cut off stem ends, leaving enough stem to prevent outer leaves from falling off during cooking.

Lincoln Del Chocolate Pie

Do you remember the Lincoln Del in Minneapolis? Apparently it first started as a bakery. At one time there were three of them, the last one closing in 2000. I remember the one on 494. They were famous for the omelets as well as their Matzo soup and desserts. Here is a recipe for their famous chocolate pie. You certainly need a stand mixer if you are going to make this one!

Ingredients

  • 1/4 pound butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 square (1 ounce) dark chocolate
  • 3 squares (3 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate
  • 1 Tablespoon water
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 baked pie shell
  • whipped cream
  • chocolate curls

Directions
Cream butter and sugar well; add chocolate, that has been melted with water in double boiler. Add eggs, one at a time. Beat after each one. Beat entire mixture for 20 minutes. Very important to beat long enough. Pour into pie shell. Cover with whipped cream and chocolate curls. Refrigerate.

Asian Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Here is a nice, easy sandwich this is slightly different. It goes together quickly and has a great combination of flavors. It is perfect for the family or for guests. Try this one soon and it will become a family favorite recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
  • 3/4 cup celery, sliced
  • 6 radishes, sliced
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • 3 Tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted
  • 4 flour tortillas (10 inch)
  • 4 ounces alfalfa sprouts

Directions
Combine first 5 ingredients in jar. Cover tightly and shake vigorously. Chill. Toss dressing with chicken and next 4 ingredients. Spoon evenly onto tortillas, top with alfalfa sprouts. Roll tortilla up. Cut in half and serve.

Nani Tip
Buy a broasted chicken at the Deli; remove meat and use in this recipe.