Banana Breakfast Muffins

(pardon the yellow hue to my photo)
I'm NOT a banana fan. So when I have bananas turning the corner to yuck street, I usually throw them in a baggie and put them in the freezer for smoothies. This morning, however, I made muffins. And I was short on time. So I grabbed me a yellow cake mix, and when they were done, I wondered WHY? it took me so long to think of this?!

These babies are moist and delicious, and not so heavy (one of the reasons I don't make banana breads so often).

Gather:
one box classic yellow cake mix (I used Pillsbury)
1/2 cup applesauce
over-ripe bananas (I used five (!) small ones)
three eggs
1/2 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Peel bananas and throw in the kitchen-aid mixer.
Add applesauce, eggs and water.
Pour in cake mix, and mix until there are no lumps.
Pour by 1/3 cup measures into paper-lined muffin tins.
Sprinkle 1 TBSP streudel topping over batter in tins. (see below)

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Tops should look slightly browned.

Streudel topping:
1/2 stick margerine or butter
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar

cut butter into dry ingredients until mixed together.

It's Meat and 'Taters.

It isn't so pretty, but MAN! does it taste good and fill the belly.

I like to call this MAN FOOD.

Hunting and Gathering:

-Red potatoes. Enough to feed your brood.

-Smoked sausage (or kielbasa) One package should do it.

-Some oil (your preference) and salt and peppa.

Meal prep:

Wash and cube potatoes. Skins on.

Cut sausage into bite-sized pieces.

Liberally sprinkle some oil onto a cookie sheet to prevent sticking.

Dump meat and potatoes onto pan. Spread uniformly.

Bake at 325 F for about 50-60 minutes.

Turn once, about half way through baking.

Salt and Pepper to taste.

You'll know they're done when the potatoes are soft and slightly browned, and your kitchen smells like man-food.

We like this with a green salad or an alternate choice of applesauce.

Open Face (Insert) Sandwiches

It's what was for dinner last night.

And I didn't take pictures.

And I didn't even plan on posting this.

But Bon-bon's pushy.

Collect:

~Enough French (or Italian) bread for your crew.

~Cold cuts you like (we favor turkey breast, but roast beef is divine)

~Cheese (our favorites are swiss and provolone)

~onions (thinly sliced)

~red peppers (thinly sliced)

~sliced olives (opt.--it's all optional, actually. this is design-your-own-meal)

Mix:

1 cup sour cream

1/8 cup taco seasoning

SLICE bread lengthwise in halves

SPREAD sour cream mix (or your spread of choice) on open slices of bread

COVER with meat, onions, peppers, or whatever your heart desires and layer the cheese on last.

Put open sandwiches on cookie sheets and into the oven, under the BROILer until cheese is melted and bread slightly browns on the edges.

EAT warm, accompanied by slices of fresh pineapple. (That's how we do it)

the end.

Homemade Mac-n-Cheese

(this was Kaleb's birthday dinner request)

1/4 stick butter

1/4 c flour

2 c half and half

(or milk if you want less fat)

salt and pepper

16oz sharp cheddar cheese

(or whatever cheese you like)

12 oz. noodles

Cook noodles until done. Melt butter in sauce pan over medium heat, add salt and pepper. Add in flour until a soft paste forms. Slowly whisk in the milk. Mix until the white sauce is slightly starting to thicken. Add in the cheese. Turn off the heat and mix until cheese is melted. Put the noodles into a 11x9 glass baking dish and pour cheese mixture over the noodles. Slightly mix the cheese with the noodles. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 375 for 30 minutes or so. If you like a crunchy top, you can add buttered crackers or breadcrumbs or take the foil off the last 10 minutes and let the top brown.

It's YUMMY and it's WHAT'S FOR DINNER!!! :)
Bon Bon