Zucchinni Bars

2 c. sugar
4 large eggs
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 c. flour
2 c. shredded zucchinni - leave peel on

Heat oven to 350, lighly grease jelly roll pan

Beat sugar, eggs, oil, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda in large bowl with hand mixer until well blended. With hand mixer on low, gradually beat in flour just until blended. Add the shredded zucchinni and spread evenly into pan.

Bake 25 min until toothpick comes out clear - cool cake completely

It will look like this, some parts look like they are not cooked through, totally normal - so dont over cook it

FROSTING-
1/4 c. butter, softened
3 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla
2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. chopped walnuts

Beat butter, cream cheese and vanilla until smooth. With mixer on low speed gradually beat in powdered sugar until well blended. Spread on your cake **It will be a thin layer and look like this**

Sprinkle with walnuts and try not to eat the whole thing in one sitting :)

Ritz Chicken

Super Easy and super yummy.

Chicken - I like to use chicken tenders
Ritz crackers - I use about 1 1/2-2 sleves of crackers
butter- I melt a stick so I dont run out
garlic powder

I melt the butter in a bowl, then add a little bit of garlic powder, probably 1/2 tsp

Crush the ritz crackers. I put them in a plastic bag, close it and crush with rolling pin then put in a bowl

Use as much chicken as you need for your family

Dip the chicken in the butter then into the cracker crumbs. You can also add parmesan cheese to your cracker crumbs but I like them plain

Place on a foiled or greased jelly roll pan, bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

EASY PEASY!

Baked Beans

This recipe is from my mother in law and whenever I make these, someone usually asks me to send them the recipe. They go great with chicken dishes!

1/2 large onion, chopped  - cook until tender
1/2 lb cooked bacon or you can do 1 cup bacon bits (I dont use bacon bits, in the salad dressing section there are small bags of bacon pieces and I buy those if I dont use actual bacon)

Combine
1 large can pork n beans (you can also use a can of baked beans if you dont want to use pork n beans. It gives it more flavor if you use baked beans rather than pork n beans)
1 TBSP worchesterstire (sp) sauce
1/2 large bell pepper
1/2 c. ketchup
1 1/2 tsp vinegar
1/2 c. brown sugar

I combine all the ingredients (except the beans) and then let them sit for about 1/2 hour then I add the beans, onion and bacon
350 for 30 minutes

~Enjoy

Coffee Cake

My mom used to make this for us when we were kids and I've loved it ever since.

½ cup butter

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup sour cream

1 ½ c flour

1 ½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

½ cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
½ cup finely chopped nuts (optional)

½-1 cup coconut (optional)

Cream butter, sugar and 1 egg together well in mixing bowl. Beat in second egg. Add soda and sour cream.

Mix flour, baking powder and salt together. Add to batter. Stir to mix. Put one half batter in greased 9x9 pan.

Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, coconut and nuts together. Sprinkle one half over batter. Sprinkle second half of mixture over all the top. Bake 350 for 45 mins or until toothpick comes out clean.

*** If you want a 9x13 double the recipe***

~Tia

Cloud Biscuts

We had these last night with Zuppa Soup. These are the only biscuts I have attempted to make. They are quick, easy and taste good. Recipe is from my mom :)

2 c flour (I havent tried it yet with whole wheat flour but when I do I will put 1c white 1c wheat)
2 T sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt (I only put a dash of salt in)
1/2 c cold butter
1 egg beaten
1/2 c buttermilk

In a large bowl, put flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter. Cut in butter until mixture is cumbly. Make well in center, set aside. Beat egg until light and frothy. Mix buttermilk and egg and then pour into well. Stir lightly to form a soft dough. Add more buttermilk if you need to (I usually need to add more). On a floured surface, knead dough 8-10 times. Roll out 3/4 inch thick. Cut with cutter (I use a glass drinking glass to cut them). Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake 450 for 12 min. Makes 14-16 biscuts.

~Tia

Zuppa Soup

This is Zac's favorite soup from the Olive Garden. My friend Amber Mason made it for her hubby and gave me the recipe. 

1lb ground Italian sausage

2-4 large russet baking potatoes, sliced in half, then cut into ¼ inch slices (the more potatoes the thicker the soup)

1 large onion, chopped

½ c bacon bits (I cook bacon and use actual bacon or if I am lazy I use the bacon pieces that they sell next to the salad dressing. I dont use bacon bits)

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 c kale, chopped

2 cans chicken broth

4 c water

1 c heavy whipping cream

Cook sausage, set aside.

Place onions, potatoes, chicken broth, water and garlic in large pot and cook on medium heat until potatoes are done

Add sausage and bacon

Salt and pepper to taste

Simmer for another 10 min

Turn heat to low

Add kale and cream

Heath through and serve

~Tia .....It may not look yummy but I promise it is!!

Taco Soup

2 lbs ground beef
2 (15 1/2 oz) cans pinto beans
1 (15 1/2 oz) can red kidney beans
1 (15 1/2 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can Rotel tomatoes
2 (14 1/2 oz) cans diced tomatoes
2 (4 1/2 oz) cans diced green chiles
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 pkg ranch salad dressing mix

Brown the beef (you can add onion if you would like). Drain excess fat then place been into a large slow cooker or a stockpot. Add all other ingredients and cook in slow cooker on low for 6 hour or simmer over low heat for about an hour in a pot on the stove.

The soup can be somewhat thick so you can add some chicken or beef broth to think out. This makes about 12 servings. What I do is use 1 lb of beef and use 1 can of everything else -  it makes enough for dinner, lunch and then another dinner for our family.

We like to put Fritos chips at the bottom of our bowl, top with the taco soup, then put a dap of sour cream and cheese on top! You can also put green onions or jalapenos on top as well, just depends on how spicy you like it. I love this dinner with a side of cornbread.

Recipe is courtesy of.....my mom :)

~ Tia