For Jack!! Red Velvet Cake

CAKE
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 ounces red food coloring
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 c oil
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon white vinegar
FROSTING
1 cup milk
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter
1. Grease two 9 inch round pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Make a paste of cocoa and food coloring. Set aside.
2. Combine the buttermilk, salt and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and 1 1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the cocoa mixture. Beat in the buttermilk mixture alternately with the flour, mixing just until incorporated. Stir together baking soda and vinegar, then gently fold into the cake batter.
3. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. To Make Icing: In a saucepan, combine the milk and 5 tablespoons flour. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. Set aside to cool completely. Cream together butter, 1 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla until light and fluffy, then stir in the cooled milk and flour mixture, beating until icing reaches spreading consistency.

Peanut butter banana waffles

2 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour

4 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/4 cups milk
1 ripe banana


Mix all together, make waffles… enjoy!

Ham Rolls

1 pkg. Azteca super size flour tortillas
2 (8 oz.) cream cheese
1/3 c. Mayo
2 tbsp. green onions, chopped
1/4 c. black olives, chopped
1 lb polish ham sliced thin

Remove tortillas from refrigerator. Combine cream cheese, Mayo, onions, and olives. Spread thin layer of mixture on tortilla. Arrange ham over cheese. Tightly roll up tortilla. Wrap individually in plastic wrap individually in plastic wrap. Place in refrigerator at least 3 hours or overnight. To serve cut into slices.

Pumpkin Waffles

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 cups milk
4 eggs, separated
1/4 cup butter, melted
Mix dry ingredients.

Mix wet ingredients.

Mix them together.

Make them! YUMMY!!

Taco Seasoning

I'm always looking for homemade, I'd rather home-make it than to buy a package. Weird I know... For those who love packets, this is a great back-up if you think you have a packet and you don't!



2 T chili powder
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/4 t red pepper flakes
1/2 t oregano
1 t paprika
1 1/2 t cumin
1 t salt
2 t pepper

Measure out spices (note that all are teaspoons EXCEPT the chili powder!)

Brown ground beef, drain the fat, used 3 Tbsp per pound of meat/ Add 2/3 cup of water, mixed it up with the ground beef and let it simmer down.

Chicken with zucc & shrooms!

I adapted this recipe from here...

1.5 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
2 clove garlic, minced
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (3oz each because that's a real portion!)
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 cups fresh sliced mushrooms
2 small zucchini (about 1.5 cups)

In a medium bowl, combine the broth, tomato paste, ground black pepper, oregano, salt and garlic. Mix well and set aside.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Saute the chicken in the oil for 2 minutes per side, or until lightly browned.
Add the reserved broth mixture, zucchini, and mushrooms to the skillet and bring to a boil. Then cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.

Its kinda saucy (like me!) but I really liked the flavors

Serving with whole wheat pasta!

Serves 4

Oatmeal Waffles

1 c whole wheat
1/2 c. white flour
1 c. quick oatmeal
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. milk
6 tbsp. oil
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 t vanilla

Combine all ingredients. Blend with wire whip. Bake in waffle iron.