BEST EVER Banana Bread

1 cup butter
3 cups sugar
6 eggs
3 cups sour cream
4 tsp. soda
2 tsp. vanilla
4-5 mashed bananas
1 tsp. salt
5 c. flour
1 pkg chocolate chips (optional)
chopped walnuts (optional)

Cream together the butter, sugar and eggs. Mix together in a separate bowl, the sour cream and soda. Let stand until foamy. Stir the sour cream mixture into the banana mixture. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Place in 4 greased and floured 9x5 in. bread pans. Bake 350° for 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. You may need to lightly cover the loaves with a piece of tinfoil the last 20 minutes to keep it from getting too dark. This recipe can be halved.

Roasted Garlic Hummus

Preparation time 10 minutes

1 Can chickpeas/garbanzo beans (15 oz)

2 Tablespoons roasted garlic

1/2 Teaspoon lemon juice

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1/2 Teaspoon oregano

Process all ingredients in a food processor. If it is too

thick, add olive oil in 1/2 teaspoon increments.

Serve garlic roasted hummus with hot pita bread, pita

chips or vegetables.

Tex-Mex Turkey Casserole

1 lb lean ground turkey

1 med green pepper, chopped
1 med onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced (I'm not allowed to add this)
2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 jar (16 oz) salsa
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (14 - 1/2 oz) Mexican stewed tomatoes
1 tsp each onion powder, garlic powder and ground cumin
12 corn tortillas (6 inches)
2 cups (8 oz) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divide

1. In a large nonstick saucepan coated with cooking spray, cook the turkey, green pepper, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Stir in the beans, salsa, tomato sauce, tomatoes, onion powder, garlic powder and cumin. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

2. Spread 1 cup meat sauce into a 13 in x 9 in x 2 in baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with six tortillas. Spread with half of the remaining meat sauce; sprinkle with 1 cup cheese. Layer with remaining tortillas and meat sauce.

3. Cover and bake at 350* for 20 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly and cheese is melted.

Taco Seasoning Mix

1 cup onion granules
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup chili powder
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup crushed dried red pepper (optional or decrease for milder mix)
1/4 cup garlic granules
1/4 cup ground cumin
2 Tbsp. dried oregano leaves
2 Tbsp. paprika

Combine ingredients. Store in a quart jar in a cool, dry place; keep away from light.

Pizza Sauce

1 quart stewed tomatoes
1 Tbsp. oregano
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. rosemary
1 tsp. anise seed
1 tsp. caraway seed

Combine ingredients. Blend in food processor. Makes enough sauce for 2-3 large pizzas.

Pizza Crust

1 Tbsp. yeast
1/4 cup lukewarm water
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 1/4 cups flour
pinch of sugar
2 Tbsp. shortening
3/4 cup scalded milk
1 tsp. salt

Dissolve yeast and pinch of sugar in water. Combine shortening, sugar, salt and milk. Add dissolved yeast and flour. Mix well and knead until smooth. Let rise 15 minutes. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes or until done. Makes 2 medium or 1 quite large pizzas.

Stir-Fry Bok Choy

4 bunches bok choy (1 bunch per person)
2 slices ginger (or 1/2 tsp. ground ginger)
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. sugar (or to taste)
1/4 tsp. salt (or to taste)
1/4 cup water
4-5 drops sesame oil (optional)
1-2 tsp. olive/vegetable oil for frying

Wash the bok choy and drain. Separate the stalks and leaves. Cut the stalk diagonally and cut the leaves across.
Heat wok and add oil. When oil is ready, add ginger and stir-fry briefly, for about 1-2 minutes, until the ginger is aromatic. Add the bok choy, adding the stalks first, and then the leaves. Stir in the soy sauce, sugar, and salt, and stir-fry on high heat for 1-2 minutes.
Add the water, cover the wok and simmer for about 2 minutes. Stir in the sesame oil and serve. Serves 4.