3 c. granulated sugar
1 c. vegetable oil
4 eggs, beaten
1 lb. canned pumpkin
3-1/2 c. flour
2/3 c. water
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. salt (scant)
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. EACH: cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg Mix sugar, oil and eggs together. Add pumpkin. Then add dry ingredient and finally water, stirring just until mixed. Pour batter into two (2) greased and floured 9×5 inch loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for one (1) hour.

Especially good spread with cream cheese.

I love watching The Neely’s on TV.  I knew I would love this recipe as soon as I saw Gina and Pat make it.  I hope you enjoy it with or without my changes.  It was a great side dish!

2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
1/2 Vidalia onion, finely chopped
1 red pepper, seeded and finely chopped
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1/3 cup mayonnaise (I used light mayonnaise)
2 tablespoons orange juice (I added 3 tablespoons of orange juice)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (I left this out)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper (I used freshly ground salt and black pepper)

Add the sweet potatoes to a large pot of cold salted water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook the potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and let cool in a colander.

Once the potatoes are cool, transfer to a large serving bowl and add the onion, red pepper, and green onions.

In a separate bowl, add the mayonnaise, orange juice, smoked paprika, cumin and salt and pepper, to taste. Whisk to combine, pour over the potatoes and thoroughly mix. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 1 hour for the flavors to meld.

• 1 cup chopped zucchini
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons chopped red bell pepper
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the zucchini, onion, sugar, basil, red pepper, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

2 cans (6 1/2 ounces each) tuna in water - undrained
1 sleeve no salt saltines - crushed
2 egg whites
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons each finely diced red, yellow and green pepper

Heat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a baking sheet.

Place crushed saltines in a bowl and add tuna with water, egg whites, soy sauce and garlic powder. Mix until well blended.
Add peppers and stir until well distributed.

Form mixture into 8 evenly sized patties and place on greased baking sheet.

Bake for 8 minutes and turn over. Bake for another 8 minutes.

  1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup minced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 serrano chili, minced
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 cups shredded, cooked chicken
12 flour tortillas
1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and chili and sauté until the onion has softened, about 6 minutes.

2. Add the tomato sauce, cumin, and salt and continue to cook for one more minute. Add the chicken and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes.

3. Taste, and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve in tortillas with toppings of your choice. Makes about 3 1/2 cups.

Crock pots are great for summer time cooking.  You will get a great, easy, home cooked meal, without heating up the kitchen.  I love cooking with wine and I think you will enjoy this recipe.

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (boneless and skinless is best when using the crock pot)

Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup Marsala wine
2 packages (6 ounces each) sliced brown mushrooms
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons cornstarch
8 ounces cooked fettuccine
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Coat 4 1/2-quart CROCK-POT® slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Transfer to CROCK-POT® slow cooker.
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add onion. Cook and stir until translucent. Add Marsala and continue cooking 2 to 3 minutes until mixture reduces slightly. Stir in mushrooms. Add broth, Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Pour mixture over chicken.

Cover; cook on HIGH 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours or until chicken is done.

Transfer chicken to cutting board and let stand. Blend whipping cream and cornstarch until smooth. Stir into cooking liquid. Cover; cook 15 minutes longer or until mixture is thickened. Add salt and pepper, if desired.

Breakfast is the hardest meal for me.  I am not a morning person so I sleep until the last second, get ready for work and out the door with on a few minutes to spare.  So these type of muffins are really great for me to bake on the week-end and have ready through out the week.

2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons butter , melted
1 cup thinly sliced scallions (about 1 bunch)
3/4 cup diced Canadian bacon (3 ounces)
1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper

Preheat oven to 400?F. Coat 12 muffin cups with cooking spray.

Combine whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, pepper and salt in a large bowl.

Whisk eggs, buttermilk, oil and butter in a medium bowl. Fold in scallions, bacon, cheese and bell pepper. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the wet ingredients and mix with a rubber spatula until just moistened. Scoop the batter into the prepared pan (the cups will be very full).

Bake the muffins until the tops are golden brown, 20 to 22 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Loosen the edges and turn the muffins out onto a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.

Individually wrap in plastic and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, remove plastic, wrap in a paper towel and microwave on High for 30 to 60 seconds.

Reheat & Run

Bake muffins on weekends and enjoy the leftovers for grab-and-go weekday breakfasts. Wrap leftover muffins individually in plastic wrap, place in a plastic storage container or ziplock bag and freeze for up to 1 month. To thaw, remove plastic wrap, wrap in a paper towel and microwave on High for 30 to 60 seconds.

Nutrition Information
Servings Per Recipe: 12
Amount Per muffin
Calories: 217 cal     Carbohydrate Servings: 1 1/2
Carbohydrates: 24 g   Dietary Fiber: 3 g   Cholesterol: 50 mg
Fat: 9 g   Sodium: 339 mg   Saturated Fat: 3 g
Protein: 9 g   Potassium: 113 mg   Monounsaturated Fat: 4 g
Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (25% daily value), Fiber (13% dv).
Exchanges: 1 1/2 starch, 1/2 meat 1 fat

1 can Tuna Fish in water

1 Avocado, sliced
1 Carrot, small finely chopped
½ Red Pepper, chopped
½ Yellow Pepper, chopped
1 ½ tablespoon Lemon Juice
Salt and Pepper

Peel and cut avocado into wedges. Chop red and yellow peppers

Drain tuna from water well. In a medium bowl, mix tuna, carrots and colored peppers. Season with lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Add avocado wedges on top. Serve immediately.

½ bunch Romaine lettuce
2 teaspoons dried and ground Basil
½ bunch fresh, chopped Coriander
2 tsp Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
4 tbsp Vinegar
½ head Lettuce

Cut lettuces into bite sized pieces
In a large bowl mix lettuces and coriander.
Mix vinegar, basil, oil, salt and pepper to taste. Add to salad and  mix well.

Need a quick salad for your New Years Eve party?  Try our Texas Caviar with Avocado.  Add crackers and you will have a great dip.

2 (15.5 ounce) cans black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped jalapeno peppers
6 oz. Italian dressing
cayenne pepper to taste
2 avocados - peeled, pitted, and chopped

In a large bowl, mix black-eyed peas, tomatoes, sweet onion, jalapeno peppers, Italian dressing, and cayenne pepper. Stir in the avocados just before serving.