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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.