Raspberry Dark Chocolate Banana Bread

picture source same as recipe source

Okay....where do I start with this?  The picture I saw on pinterest hooked me in.   Everytime I would scroll through my recipe board, I would slightly pause at it.

I finally decided to give it a try.

Before baking most recipes, I read the reviews and this one was no exception.  There were a lot of problems, suggestions, and praises.  I read them all and sort of adapted the ideas/suggestions to work for me.  I crossed my fingers as it baked and in the end, it turned out perfect.  It was delicious.  The raspberries were a PERFECT addition.  The bread was moist and soft and full of flavour.

Here are the changes I made:

* I preheated the oven to 325 degrees and cooked it for an hour at that temperature.  Then I raised it up to 350, loosely laid tin foil over it (top was done perfectly at that point, but inside was not) and cooked it for about another 30ish minutes.  I also cooked it on the bottom rack in the oven.

* For the mashed bananas to equal 1 1/2 cups, it took 3 bananas.

* I used frozen raspberries, however, when I measured them out, I took a potato masher and sort of roughly mashed them up.  There were some chunks and some crumbs...I liked that combo.  I still tossed them in flour before adding to the dough.

* I did not add quite as much dark chocolate chips as suggested.

* I used a metal loaf pan

* When it was done baking, I let it sit in the pan for quite a while before removing it to the cooling rack.  Even after cutting around the edge and removing it at that point, one of the sides was very soft and wanted to break away.  I carefully got it out and let it sit on the rack.  This was the hard part.  Waiting.  I know we all want warm banana bread, but I think this one would fall apart until mostly cooled.   It needs to sort of all bind together.  The batter to extras ratio is pretty close, so lots of places for this thing to break and fall apart.

Either way....you need to figure out how it works for you.  Many reviews said it turned out just fine for them following the recipe exactly.  You have to give this one a shot.

Check out Recipe Boy for this treat of deliciousness!

Maple Yogurt Sauce

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Okay....I dream of this.  I cannot tell a lie.  After I was done eating the waffles, I actually drank the leftovers...right from the bowl.  There is a small chance I even licked the bowl.  Oh my goodness....I'm in love.


I used the recipe on the site for waffles and they weren't a hit.  I'm not a waffle fan and so I thought they were fine, but the people I served it too thought something was off.  It could have been me and how I made them.  In the future, I'll keep searching for a perfect waffle recipe.

In the meantime...this is a must add to my breakfast sauces!

cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice rocked my world with this one..Thank you thank you thank you.

Perfectly Yummy Fruit Dip

picture source: Pinterest

The Pinterest link led me to a non existent website, so I, unfortunately, can't give out the proper credit.  On the good side, the caption with the pin was all I needed to create a deliciously yummy afternoon snack.

I'm horrible when it comes to picking up an apple and eating it.  I like apples, but it feels like without a caramel dip served beside it, I never eat them.

I saw this one on pinterest and gave it a try.  A little less guilty way for me to enjoy an afternoon snack.

Sorry...no quantities...but you don't need them!  Add as much of each until the flavour is exactly how you want it.

Greek Yogurt
Peanut Butter
Honey
Cinnamon

Mix and enjoy!

Ground Beef Gyros

picture source same as recipe source

Oh my goodness.  This was really REALLY really good.  And easy!  Oh my...it was so easy!  Quick, easy and delicious...everything I love in a meal.

The only thing that bothered me was the ground beef patties.  I followed the recipe (well...followed the ingredient part, not measurement part..I don't measure), however, when I grilled up the patties and then went to slice them, they sort of fell apart.  Next time I would just make a bunch of thin, small patties to put in the pita, not large patties and then slice them.

The cucumber sauce was beautiful.  Again...I did not measure.  I put the ingredients in my food processor and blended until smooth.  I didn't leave any chunks like the recipe suggested.

Served them up on some fresh whole wheat pitas....not the authentic thick ones, I used the flat pocket type but didn't open up the pocket...just piled them on and wrapped it, like the recipe suggested.

Thank you Passionate Homemaking for sharing this!  It'll be repeated, many times,  in our household.

Idaho Sunrise

pictures source same as recipe source

Okay, these aren't your super nutritional breakfast but they are creative and something different to serve up for your overnight guests.

My personal opinion....they weren't worth the work.

They were good, but the lazy cook in me would rather just make this skillet style.

If you're going for presentation and you want to impress...give 'er.

Instead of parsley, I went green onions....just how I roll....it paired well with the other fillings.

Check out My Fridge Food for the recipe.  Let me know if you try it and what you think.

Yogurt, Bananas & Chia Seeds

picture source: pinterest

Need a quick and easy breakfast or snack?  It is actually so good you could have it as a dessert.  The best part is...it's healthy!!

I saw the picture on pinterest and it had a caption description, but the link was a dead end, so unfortunately I can't give credit to where credit is due.  If this is yours...please let me know so I can properly link you up.

All I did was greek yogurt (plain, no fat), sliced banana, chia seeds and honey.  It was perfect with the bit of crunch from the chia.  If you're not a fan of the crunch, just let the yogurt and seeds sit for a bit and they will soften up.

I'm not well educated on chia seeds, I just know they are super healthy.  I've used both dark and light seeds.  I'm not sure if there is nutritional difference and I haven't noticed a taste difference, but I use whatever I have on hand.

Any chia seed experts out there?

None the less...I dig em.  Throw them in smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt...wherever you can.  I've pinned a few recipes with chia seeds I'm excited to try.

Candy Cane Snowballs

Okay...funny story...

So when Trace and I do our Christmas baking weekend, we each will just grab a recipe and work on it.  Sometimes we end up starting what the other finished, sometimes we work together...etc.

Well...this one was all Tracey.

She started it and part way through I hear an "oh crap!"  maybe could have even been more explicit, but I'm not sure.  The part of the recipe that says "3 cups powdered sugar, divided"....Tracey didn't read completely.  She just added 3 cups icing sugar to the mix.  Wellllllll....there's only one way to fix it.  Actually...2 ways, but who wants to throw out a bowl full of ingredients?  Her only real option....bring the rest of the ingredients up to the same amount as the icing sugar she added....yes...that is 4x the recipe.

At that point we were just hoping and praying these cookies would turn out to be the greatest thing on earth, since we were about to have enough to feed a small country.

They were pretty delicious and everyone loves them so far.  They are a melt in your mouth kind of cookie.  You might even find the recipe easy if you follow it instead of quadrupling it.

Check out Cooking During Stolen Moments for the recipe.

Peppermint Marshmallows

I've always wanted to try home made marshmallows, but was totally intimidated by the candy thermometer.  Well folks, I am here to tell you...no need to be afraid.  It is an easy little tool to use.

These were easy to make, but took wayyyy longer than the recipe said.

As far as the taste factor...yes...obviously better than your standard store bought ones, but in my world, nothing mind blowing about these.  Maybe they'd be fun to put in hot chocolate, or some gourmet s'mores...maybe even cut them more like a cube, put them on a stick and dip them in chocolate?  I dunno.  Creative folk will know what to do with it.

Betty Crocker gave me this recipe.  Yup....personally.  She gave it to me.  Betty and I go way back...old friends.

Okay...that was a lie.  I don't know her....but I did get the recipe from the website.

Let me know what you do with it...if you try it.  Or give me some suggestions what I'm suppose to do with all these marshmallows I have.

Marshmallow Christmas Squares

Thank you, thank you, thank you Dishin with Didi.  Oh my.  Way too easy, way too delicious, way too quick.  When I find recipes like this....all seems right in the world.

Only change...we didn't have maraschino cherries so we used candied cherries.  I think I would love it even more...maybe even marry it, if we had maraschino cherries, but that's just me and my love of maraschino....candied worked fine.

I used sweetened coconut...it doesn't specify in the recipe, so maybe you could use unsweetened too?  But why would you want less sweet?  I dunno.  That's just weird ....but whatever floats your boat.

Also...if you are just reading the recipe and not looking at her handy pictures, you might get confused on one thing. ...at least I did, but then again...I'm more of a pretty face than a smart one.  It says to add all ingredients except the sweetened condensed milk, however, you shouldn't add the coconut either.  Leave both out.  The coconut gets sprinkled on the bottom of the pan, then the mixture that has all ingredients, then more coconut...then press.  Read the recipe and look at her pics....you'll get it.

Everyone loved this one.  Well...except my nephew...but he doesn't like sweet things.  What?!  I didn't even know those people existed.

Check out the recipe....Dishin with Didi  and add it to your baking list.

ENJOY!

Candy Cane Chocolate Swirl Fudge

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I loved this!  LOVED IT!  Everyone seemed to like this one.  Our taste testers (aka...family who hover over us while we bake) definitely gave it the thumbs up.    Oh and it was easy.  EASY!!  EASY PEASY!  Seriously...don't have time for Christmas baking, but want to whip up something fast?  This is it.

Check out Sally's Baking Addiction for the recipe.

We cut them into small small bite size pieces since it is rather rich.  I have a feeling this one will be a repeat for next year.  Too quick and easy not to.

Eggnog Biscotti

I don't really like biscotti.  So why did I include it in my Christmas baking?  Good question.  A couple of reasons...I wanted to see what it's like to make and I wanted to see if homemade tastes better...oh and I know others who like it, so this can my my gift to them.

First I have a disclosure to make.  Technically...I didn't make this....Tracey did.  Every year we get together and do a Christmas baking weekend.  We help each other with recipes, we both work on a recipe or we do one all on our own, start to finish.  This one was all Tracey.

From what I observed, it's easy enough to make.  I think the hardest part was shaping the dough on the cookie sheet....we couldn't quite figure out the correct way to do it.  It does rise a bit while it's baking, so count on that.  We used a large cookie sheet and shaped it in a rectangle but sort of rounded on top.  Oh and when I say we, I actually mean Tracey.

We used Shugary Sweets recipe for the biscotti and food.com's recipe for the glaze.  Next time I would make a lot more glaze so we'd have more to drizzle or dip...but that's just me and my sweet tooth talking.

They definitely taste better than any bought ones I've had, but still not something I love.

Try it.  Lemme know what you think.

Chocolate Cherry Snowballs

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Okay...so I'm not a fan of shortbread cookies and this sort of reminded me of them, so I was not in love.  However, those who like shortbread cookies,  did love these.  I didn't really change anything and followed the recipe.  They were quite easy and do look nice when done, so they would make a good addition to your Christmas baking plate.  

Check out Betty Crocker, try them and let me know what you think.

Tomato Soup Mac n Cheese

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Ah pinterest...I am in love with it.  If I could only have one link to look at for the rest of my life on a deserted island, it would be Pinterest.  

I needed a quick and easy dinner tonight.  I wasn't all too concerned about healthy...I just wanted delicious.  This pretty much rocked my world.  I love tomato soup and I love cheese, so when those worlds collide...all is right in my world.    

Thank you A Local Choice for sharing your deliciousness with Pinterest.

I didn't measure anything and when I added the cheese at the end for broiling, I also added crispy onions.  It was perfect.  All of it.  Perfection in a casserole dish.  

Enjoy!

Avocado with Feta, Cucumber, Tomato Sandwich

click picture for source

Okay so this was way too easy.  I was in a lazy mood today and did not feel like making anything.  Normally this results in a run for fast food that is far too convenient, however, I am trying to make better eating choices, so I scanned pinterest for some easy inspiration.

This was it.  Exactly what I was looking for.  There wasn't a website recipe or anything, but the picture caption summed up how to make it and that was that.  

It was quick for my desire to eat immediately and it was light and refreshing so I didn't feel weighed down or gross after eating.  Another example of how eating right doesn't have to be eating bland and boring.  

I mashed avocado with feta.  Toasted some whole grain artisan bread (thin sliced).  Sliced tomatoes and cucumbers.

Spread the avocado mixture on the toast.

Top with cucumbers and tomatoes

Salt and Pepper

EAT!  

Enjoy!

Drunk Cherries

lost the source...sorry.

Another absolutely delightful little snack when fresh...you don't want these to sit for too many days after being dipped in chocolate...they don't look very pretty.

No recipe.  

Just cherries marinated in booze, dipped in melted chocolate.

I marinated mine in apricot and cherry brandy.  I've also seen recipes that suggest Amaretto.  Marinate overnight then dip.  I loved dipping these because of the stems...they made my life a million times easier.  After dipping, chill until chocolate is set...serve.

Mmmmmm.  

Marinated Grapes

source same as recipe

These were AWESOME freshly coated in sugar.  Mmmmm...such a good little snack.  

These were not so awesome after freezing or a few days later.  Make them the day you want them and have them eaten that day or the next.

I marinated my grapes overnight.  Seriously...delicious fresh, so marinate them the day before you want to serve them and then just coat them in the sugar the day of.  

Wonderfully easy grown up snack.  

Check out Epicurious for the recipe.

Chocolate Turtle Cookies

Another fan favorite.  These were a huge hit.  Lots of little steps, but easy and still worth it.  

Pixelated Crumb rocked our world with this recipe!  

We didn't crush our pecans small enough...in my opinion...I think that's the only complaint about ours.  We followed the recipe on this one and we were rewarded with delicious turtle cookies.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2013:  this year we bought ground pecans...worked much better!  We also had lots of melted chocolate leftover from other baking, so we drizzled it on top of these for a pretty little addition.  

Marshmallow Truffles

source same as recipe

These were my other favorite out of all my Christmas baking.  Messy to make, but worth it...soooo worth it. These aren't just marshmallows dipped in chocolate...they are so much more.  People who don't like marshmallows, liked these.

Better Homes and Gardens...I owe you.  This one is a definite must next year.

We used dried cherries in ours, I'm not sure if I would do that again...the textures didn't match.  I'm not sure whether I would leave them plain or think of another filling.  We dipped half in white chocolate and half in chocolate...you don't have to do that, it's just what we had left.  We sprinkled toasted coconut ontop of ours.

Did I mention I love these??

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2013:  We didn't add a filling...much better in my opinion...

Orange Creamsicle Truffles

source same as recipe

Out of all my Christmas baking, I had 2 favorites....this was one of them.  I love all things orange creamsicle flavored so I knew I would love these.  They did not disappoint....they tasted exactly how I pictured.

I'd like to thank Cooking Classy for this one.  I'm pretty sure I will want it in my regular Christmas baking rotation now.  We doubled the recipe, but that still wasn't enough....I'd increase it even more next time.

Creamy Peppermint Punch

source same as recipe

I'm in love.  I want to drink this everyday, all day...

My stomach would hate me.  Good thing it has some common sense, because I sure don't.

Taste Of Home does it again with another wonderful recipe.  I love Taste of Home.

I made mine kid friendly, but want to make it for adult fun....omit ice cream and add peppermint schnapps....mmmmm..  

Oh...and I wasn't fancy enough to rim my glasses and serve with a candy cane.  They got cups.  Just plain cups.