Banana Bread (Gram's - The Best EVER!)

1 3/4 c. flour, all-purpose
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
2 med. ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1/4 c. plus 1 T. buttermilk = (reg milk + 1 tsp. lemon juice)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. nuts, chopped (optional)

In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. In another mixing bowl, combine eggs, bananas, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla; add to flour mixture, stirring just until combined. Fold in nuts. Pour into a lightly greased, parchment lined 9x5x3 loaf pan. Bake at 325 for one hour and 20 minutes, or until bread tests done. Cool on wire rack. (Recipe does NOT double well.)

Taken from: A Taste of Ephraim Sesquicentennial Cookbook, Cindy Beck, p. 127

This is one of our most favorite treats...Okay Mine! Anyway, I think the way the parchment paper helps the cook crust of the bread...it's the best!!! If you have some left to store, I would put wrap it lightly so it doesn't get to moist. (In a gallon zip lock and don't seal it or open the bag to get some air before you cut it.)

Sloppy Joe's

We had a quick and easy dinner because we had a lot going on. This is ready in about 15 minutes.

1 lb ground meat (beef, turkey, elk, ect.)
1 small Onion cut up.
1 cup Ketchup
2 TBSP Sugar
2 TBSP Mustard
2 TBSP White Vinegar

Brown meat and onion, drain, add remaining ingredients serve on buns, (If we don't have buns, we use toast.)

I never plan this for a meal. I save it for when I need an emergency dinner, like when the day just gets away from me.

The combination of potatoes in this dish make for a very tasty treat. Kids who have not yet discovered a taste for sweet potatoes seem to be able to enjoy this dish. This is also an excellent dish to prepare for someone you want to take a dinner to.

Chicken Potato Bake

- 2 envelopes onion soup mix (I use Lipton.)
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder or granules
- 8 thighs, breasts, or a combination, (cut large breasts into thirds)
- 2 small sweet potatoes peeled and cut into large chunks (Look for the white/yellow colored - sweet potatoes. These are easily found at Winco or other stores that have a good produce section.)
- 2 small yams peeled and cut into large chunks
- 2 medium red potatoes unpeeled and cut into large chunks
- 2 Yukon gold potatoes unpeeled, and cut into large chunks
- 12 or more baby carrots

* Combine all ingredients and toss well until chicken and vegetables are well coated with oil.
* Bake uncovered in a 9" x 13" pan at 450 degrees for 25 minutes.
* Stir, and bake 20 minutes longer.

YUM!