Layered Banana Pudding

adapted from recipe by Peggy Decker

2 boxes instant banana cream pudding (3.4 oz each)

milk, as indicated in pudding box recipe

1 box of vanilla wafers

4 large bananas, sliced

1 container whipped topping (8 oz)

Prepare the pudding as directed on the box, using the amount of milk indicated.

Cover the bottom of your dish with whole vanilla wafers. Cover the wafers sliced bananas, then cover the banana layer with half of the prepared pudding. Repeat layers with wafers, bananas and pudding.

Spread whipped topping over the top and chill dessert at least 2 hours or until ready to serve. Right before serving cover the top of the dessert with chopped wafer crumbs (I put mine in a food processor for a few seconds).

Two thumbs up!

Club Sandwich

In the very rare occasion that we actually have any left over bacon I like to make club sandwiches. First, I make a mixture of mayo and dijon mustard.  I use about 1/2 c mayo/1 tbsp dijon mustard. I toast the bread. Then I spread some of the mayo mixture on the bread. Next I add turkey slices(with a sprinkle of salt and pepper), bacon, tomato slices, avocado slices, a slice of cheese and some lettuce. Yum!

Husband rating:  4 stars

Boys say:  thumbs up

Salmon with Ginger-Soy Butter

from Cook This, Not That! by David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding

2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

1/2 tbsp minced chives

1/2 tbsp grated fresh ginger

juice of 1 lemon

1/2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

4 salmon fillets (4-6 oz each)

salt and black pepper to taste

1 tbsp olive oil

Mix the butter, chives, ginger, lemon juice and soy sauce. Set aside.

Preheat a grill or grill pan. Season the salmon with salt and pepper and rub with the oil. Wipe the grill grates clean and rub with a paper towel dipped in oil. Add the salmon skin side down and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until the skin is lightly charred and crisp.

Flip the fish and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes on the flesh side, until the flesh flakes with gentle pressure from your finger but is still slightly translucent in the middle. (We believe salmon is best served medium, but if you want yours completely cooked, leave it on for another 2 to 3 minutes.)

Serve the salmon with a generous spoonful of the flavored butter, which should begin to melt on contact.

I had a hornets nest/hive in my grill that I didn't want to deal with so I ended up broiling our salmon.  My husband wasn't home to rate this but our boys loved it. I served this with rice and green beans.  I sautéed the green beans in a tsp or so of olive oil with salt and pepper, a little bit of onion, a slice or two of bacon broken into small pieces and a little minced garlic.

Two thumbs up!

Sweet and Sour Chicken Dinner

2 chicken breasts, chopped into small pieces

1-2 tsp olive oil

2 zucchinis, chopped

1 small onion, cut into thin slices

1 can pineapple chunks

1 jar of your favorite sweet and sour sauce

cooked rice

Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion slices and cook for a few minutes. Add chicken and cook  for a few minutes. Then toss in the zucchini. Once the zucchini pieces are soft add the sweet and sour sauce and pineapple chunks. Let everything get warm and then serve over rice.

This is something I threw together one night.  The first time, pictured here, I didn't make it with pineapple. I thought it would be better with the pineapple so the next time I made this we included it. Tasty!

Husband rating:  3.5 stars

Boys say: thumbs up

Baked Garlic Chicken

lightly adapted from sixsistersstuff.com

6 chicken breasts

1/3 c California Olive Ranch olive oil (or regular olive oil)

1 tbsp garlic, crushed

1/2 c dry bread crumbs

1/2 c grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a 9x13 pan with aluminum foil and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.  In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil and garlic. In another bowl combine the bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese and the Italian seasoning.

Dip each chicken breast first in the olive oil and then in the bread crumb mixture. Place breaded chicken in the pan. Cook for 35-40 minutes, or until done.

Cowboy Quesadillas

from ourbestbites.com

1/2 C white rice
1/3 C black beans
1 cup diced cooked chicken
1/3 C fresh frozen corn kernels (no need to thaw)
2/3 C diced tomato
3 Tbs sliced green onion
1 1/2 C shredded cheese (any type or combo you like)
1/4 C bbq sauce
6 small tortillas (fajita size, about 6″)

Combine rice, beans, chicken, corn, tomato, green onion and shredded cheese. Add bbq sauce and stir to combine. Place about 1/3 C of mixture on half of each tortilla and fold over to close.

Heat a skillet to medium heat on the stove top. When hot, spray lightly with cooking spray, or drizzle with canola or olive oil. Place quesadillas in pan and cook for 2-4 minutes or until golden brown and slightly crisp. Flip and repeat on opposite side. Cool for a few minutes and then serve with BBQ-Ranch dipping sauce.

I have a small panini griddle. I put the mixture on half the tortilla, fold it over, then put it in the panini maker until the tortilla is browned. Super easy!

For the BBQ-Ranch dipping sauce you mix equal parts of your favorite bbq sauce and ranch dressing. That was fine. We also like dipping these in ranch or bbq sauce, depending on which family member you're talking to! This is a healthy, tasty meal our entire family enjoys!

Husband rating: 4 stars
Boys say: thumbs up

Apple Butter Ham Glaze

from allrecipes.com, submitted by CRAFTYLILDEVIL

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup apple butter 1/2 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon dried onion flakes 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Whisk together the apple butter, orange juice, dried onion flakes, and Worcestershire sauce in a small saucepan. Simmer until slightly thickened.

If you have a favorite apple butter recipe you can make your own and use it here. I bought a jar of it from the store. This was a very easy glaze. I put the ham slices in a pan, poured the glaze on and baked it in the oven, at 350 degrees, until it was all warm (about 25 minutes). You could also put this over the ham in a slow cooker.  We had this with our favorite sweet potato dish and some green beans.

Husband rating:  4 stars

Boys say: thumbs up