Earthquake Cake

from Bonnie Gunderson (KV mom)

1. Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray.

2. Layer 1 c. chopped pecans and 1 c. coconut in pan.

3. Make a German chocolate cake mix according to package directions. Pour over layers in pan.

4. Melt 1/2 c butter and 8 oz. cream cheese. Mix with 3 c. powdered sugar and a tiny bit of water.

5. Drizzle on top of cake and bake about 55 min at 350 degrees.

Brownies

1/2 c butter, melted

1 c sugar

1 t vanilla

2 eggs

1/2 c flour

1/3 c cocoa

1/4 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

Heat oven to 350. Grease 9x9 pan. Bake 20-25 min or until brownies begin to pull away from side of pan. Good with or without frosting.

Frosting

3 T butter, softened

3 T cocoa

1 T karo syrup

1/2 t vanilla

1 c powdered sugar

1 to 2 T milk

Beat butter, cocoa, and vanilla in a small bowl. Add powdered sugar and milk, beat to spreading consistency.

Bay Area Burgers

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 T extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 t salt

1 t pepper

1/2 t basil

1 lb ground beef

Mix all ingredients together and then grill for a yummy burger.

Christmas Punch

from Janine Michie

8 c water

2 c sugar

1 T whole cloves

3 cinnamon sticks

Boil above ingredients together to make a simple syrup. Let sit for a few hours so that the flavors have time to mix together. Then drain to remove cloves/cinnamon.

Add

1 can frozen lemonade concentrate

1 can (46 oz) pineapple juice

Let it get warm, either on the stove or in a crock pot.

Tillapia

1 egg

splash of milk (about 1/8 cup)

flour

1 cup panko crumbs

1/3 c oil

tartar sauce

In a pie plate, beat egg and add milk. Put a handful of flour on a dinner plate. Pour the panko crumbs onto another dinner plate. Put oil in frying pan and let it get hot.

Dust fish fillet in flour, then dip in egg/milk mixture. Then coat the fish in the panko crumbs. Fry fish until golden brown on each side (about 3-5 min per side). Use tartar sauce for dipping if desired.

Serve with vegetables.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

2 c flour

3/4 c baking

1 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

1 1/4 c butter

2 c sugar

2 eggs

2 t vanilla

1 (10 oz.) pkg peanut butter chips

In a bowl, stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. Beat butter and sugar in mixer until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, stir well. Gradually add in flour mixture, beating well.

Spoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes. Do not overbake. Cookies will be soft. They will puff while baking and flatten while cooling, so be sure to give them adequate space on the cookie sheet.

Banana Bread

1 cube butter

1 1/2 c flour

1/2 c whole wheat flour

1 t salt

1 1/2 t baking powder

3/4 c sugar

2 eggs

3 overripe bananas, mashed with a fork

1 t vanilla

1/2 chopped pecans

1/2 c shredded dried coconut

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x5 loaf pan.

Mix dry ingredients together. In mixer, cream butter, eggs, and bananas. Stir this mixture into dry ingredients just enough to combine (It will be slightly lumpy.) Gently stir in nuts, coconut, and vanilla.

Pour batter into the loaf pan and bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Do not overcook. Cook on rack for 15 min before removing from pan. I don't usually like banana bread, but I like this one.