cake mixes from scratch and variations

Ingredients

• Servings: 1
• 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 35 mins Ready Time: 55 mins


• for a yellow cake: sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. cut in shortening until fine crumbs are formed. add eggs, milk, and vanilla. beat at low speed for 1 minute, then high for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl frequently.
• pour batter into greased and floured 9x13 inch pan. bake in preheated 350 degree f oven (175 degrees c) for 25 to 30 minutes.
• variation for a white cake: prepare as for the basic cake except use 3 egg whites for the 2 whole eggs. whites may be beaten separately and added for a lighter cake.
• variation for a chocolate cake: add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the basic cake mix prior to adding the milk.
• variation for a spice cake: add 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice to the basic cake mix.
• variation for a pineapple upside down cake: melt 1/2 cup butter in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. add 2/3 cup brown sugar, stirring into the butter. arrange pineapple slices in the pan. top with the basic (yellow cake) mix recipe. bake 30 to 35 minutes, cool 5 minutes, and invert to serve.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Ii

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 1 cup shortening
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 6 very ripe bananas, mashed
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Ready Time: 1 hr 30 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
• in a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. stir in the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition. stir in the mayonnaise and bananas. stir together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. blend the flour mixture into the banana mixture; stir just enough to evenly combine. fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts.
• bake at 350 degrees f (175 degrees c) until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 50 to 75 minutes. cool loaf in the pan for 20 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Buckeye Balls Ii

Ingredients

• Servings: 5
• 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons shortening

Recipe

Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 25 mins


• line a baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside.
• in a medium bowl, mix peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and confectioners' sugar with hands to form a smooth stiff dough. shape into balls using 2 teaspoons of dough for each ball. place on prepared pan, and refrigerate.
• melt shortening and chocolate together in a metal bowl over a pan of lightly simmering water. stir occasionally until smooth, and remove from heat.
• remove balls from refrigerator. insert a wooden toothpick into a ball, and dip into melted chocolate. return to wax paper, chocolate side down, and remove toothpick. repeat with remaining balls. refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.

Roast Chicken With Rosemary

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 (3 pound) whole chicken, rinsed
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 small onion, quartered
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh rosemary

Recipe

Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ready Time: 2 hrs 10 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c).
• season chicken with salt and pepper to taste. stuff with the onion and rosemary. place chicken in a 9x13 inch baking dish or roasting dish.
• roast in the preheated oven for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. cooking time will vary a bit depending on the size of the bird.

avocado feta salsa

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 2 plum tomatoes, chopped
• 1 ripe avocado - peeled, pitted and chopped
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red or white vinegar
• 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Ready Time: 2 hrs 20 mins


• in a bowl, gently stir together tomatoes, avocados, onion, and garlic. mix in parsley and oregano. gently stir in olive oil and vinegar. then stir in feta. cover, and chill for 2 to 6 hours.

Guacamole

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 3 avocados - peeled, pitted, and mashed
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)

Recipe

Preparation Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 10 mins


• in a medium bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice, and salt. mix in onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and garlic. stir in cayenne pepper. refrigerate 1 hour for best flavor, or serve immediately.

Blueberry Muffins On Steroids

Ingredients

• Servings: 1
• 1 cup oat flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup oat bran
• 1 cup multi-grain hot cereal with flaxseed (such as hodgson mill multi grain with flaxseed hot cereal®)
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup vanilla fat-free yogurt
• 1 cup skim milk
• 2 egg whites, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 cup pecan halves (optional)

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Ready Time: 40 mins


• preheat oven to 400 degrees f (200 degrees c). line a muffin tin with paper liners.
• mix oat flour, whole wheat flour, oat bran, hot cereal, cinnamon, allspice, and baking powder together in a bowl. combine yogurt, milk, egg whites, canola oil, honey, and vanilla extract together in a separate bowl. add yogurt mixture to flour mixture; stir to combine. fold blueberries and pecans into batter. spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
• bake muffins in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 20 minutes.