WHAT'S FOR BREAKFAST? Bananas Foster Syrup for pancakes, french toast, crepes, etc.

Melt 1/4 C unsalted butter with 1/4 C brown sugar in saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 1/2 C maple syrup then add 3 sliced bananas and stir to coat. Cook 1-2 minutes longer to thicken, constantly stirring. Remove from heat. Serve.

WHAT'S WITH DINNER? HOMEMADE CRACKERS

I made beef stew from the pot roast I made yesterday. But I didn't have any bread or crackers to serve with it, like I thought I did. I remember that my mom bakes leftover pie crust with cinnamon and sugar, why couldn't I use pie crust to make salted crackers?

With homemade or store bought pie crust, cut out shapes using a biscuit, cookie cutter or glass. Prick with fork, sprinkle sea salt on top. Bake for 6-7 minutes at 450°.

WHAT'S FOR DINNER? CHICKEN & GRAVY over cornbread

Boil 1 lb or more chicken breast, thighs or tenders for 15 minutes.

Remove slice, reserve 1 3/4 C chicken broth. 

Make a roux by melting 1/3 C butter. Saute 1/3 C diced onion then add 1/3 C flour & 1/2 t salt. Gradually add 2/3 C milk then the reserved broth, stirring constantly. Add chicken and cook down for 5-10 minutes.

WHAT'S FOR DINNER? BAKED CHICKEN PASTA

Cook 2 chicken breasts, diced with 1 T spicy grill seasoning or other. Set aside. Melt 3 T butter over medium heat. Add 1/4 C + 1 T flour, 2 cloves minced garlic. Stir well. Gradually add 3 C milk, whisking constantly. Remove from heat. Ad 1 C shredded mozzarella & 1/4 C shredded Parmesan. Add half pound cooked pasta, the cooked chicken & 1/2 C diced sun dried tomatoes. Top with 1/4 C shredded Parmesan & 1/4 C Italian bread crumbs. Bake at 400° for 25 minutes uncovered. 

WHAT'S FOR DINNER? DUTCH OVEN BRISKET with POTATOES & CARROTS

5 lb brisket, fat trimmed

1 T olive oil

salt & pepper to taste

1 lg onion, quartered

6 oz tomato paste

4 cloves minced garlic

2-4 C beef broth

1 small bag baby carrots

3 potatoes

parsley, to taste

In oil, brown brisket on all sides in a Dutch oven pot. Cover. Place rest of ingredients (except for potatoes & parsley) in pot and bake for 2 hours on  375°. Remove brisket & slice. Return to pot, add potatoes, cover and cook another 3-4 hours on 325°.

WHAT'S FOR DESSERT? DOUBLE CHOCOLATE COOKIE BARS

In a food processor, chop:

18 large Oreos

Add: 

1/4 C melted butter

Spread and press in the bottom of a greased pan.

In a double broiler, mix & melt:

14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

1 t vanilla

1 C semisweet chocolate chips

Spread on top of Oreo crust.

Sprinkle 1 C semisweet chocolate chips & 1 C little snack size Oreos on top OR 6 regular sized Oreos broken by hand.

Bake 20 - 25 minutes on 325°. 

Let cool completely before cutting or they'll fall apart. 

WHAT'S FOR DESSERT? SALTED CARAMEL APPLE HAND PIES

Combine & mix in a bowl:

2 small apples, diced

2 t lemon juice

1/2 t cinnamon

1/4 C sugar

2 T flour

8 caramels, chopped

Using homemade or store bought pie crust, use a round biscuit cutter or a glass to make small circles, 2 for each pie. Place a teaspoon or more of the apple mixture in the middle of a pie crust circle. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top. Place another pie crust circle on top. Using a fork, crimp the edges & poke holes in the top to vent. Brush on egg wash (1 egg white mixed with 1 T water) & sprinkle with sugar. 

Bake in a preheated oven 450° for 15 minutes. Cool at least 10 minutes before serving. 

WHAT'S FOR DINNER? Chicken Parmigiana

Lay in a pan:

2 chicken breasts, halved

Mix:

4 T tomato paste

1 T basil

1 T oregano

1 T rosemary

2 cloves minced garlic

Divide and spread on top of chicken.

Top with:

slices of mozzarella

1/4 c Parmesan

pepper, if desired

Bake at 425° for 20 minutes. 

WHAT'S FOR DESSERT? CITRUS POPS

1 C citrus juice

(we used grapefruit, other could be lemon, lime, pineapple, orange, key lime, etc.)

1 C heavy cream or full fat coconut milk

3 T honey, agave or other sweetener

(we used The Date Lady's date syrup)

1/4 t citrus extract or essential oil

(we used Young Living's grapefruit essential oil)

1/2 t vanilla

Blend well. Pour into molds. Let stand 5 minutes and cap/stick. Place them in the freezer for at least 6 hours.

WHAT'S FOR DESSERT? German Chocolate Date Balls

In a food processor, blend:

3/4 C dates

We use Date Lady dates!

1/2 t vanilla

1/16 t salt

2 T cocoa

2 T shredded coconut

1/2 C pecans

Roll into balls.

Makes 10-14. 

If they're too sticky, you can always roll them in a nut flour or powdered sugar.

WHAT'S FOR DESSERT? NUTELLA HAND PIES

Whatever your recipe for Pie Crust is, it should be good and flaky, even if it's Pillsbury. 

Use a bowl or ramekin to cut out circles in the dough. Brush edges with water. Drop a dollop Nutella in the center of each. Fold over to seal with a fork. Prick centers with fork. Place on parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Brush with egg wash. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until golden. 

WHAT WE'RE MUNCH'IN ON? CHEESY GARLIC BISCUITS

1 1/2 C Bisquick
For GLUTEN FREE, use GF Bisquick

1 1/2 C shredded cheese

1/2 C milk

Mix & drop on cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes at 400°.

2 T melted butter

1 T oregano

3/4 t garlic powder

Mix and brush on baked biscuits.

Bake another 5 minutes at 400° then 5-6 minutes at 350°.

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WHAT WE'RE DRINKING? 4TH JULY LAYERED RED WHITE & BLUE

Fill glass 1/3 full red CranApple juice

Fill to top with ice.

SLOWLY pour 1/3 full white Sobe Pina Colada

SLOWLY pour the rest of the way with blue G2 Gatorade

Serve immediately.

WHAT'S FOR DINNER? OVEN "FRIED" PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN & CHEESY CORN

1/2 C mayo

1/4 C shredded Parmesan

(get the good stuff)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved

1 T Italian seasoned bread crumbs

Mix together the mayo & cheese. Spread on top of chicken. 

Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake at 425° for 20 minutes.

Cheesy Corn

Pour 1 bag frozen onions & 1 bag frozen corn in a skillet. Heat over medium high heat until liquid is gone and it starts to brown. Add a little olive oil and saute until starting to brown a little. Add 1 large finely chopped tomato & 8 oz Queso Blanco Velvetta. Stir until melted and mixed through.