Mean, green broccoli cuisine

This broccoli salad is sweet and savory. I can't think of a better way to eat my veggies.

THE RECIPE:

Florets from two medium-large broccoli crowns, chopped
1/4 c. chopped red onion
1 c. sunflower nuts
1/2 c. raisins or Craisins
1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 c. mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. vinegar
1/4 c. sugar

Mix ingredients well, then refrigerate before serving.

Stuck in the middle

Give these homemade ice-cream sandwiches a try for dessert at your next barbecue. They are a cinch to make, and you can try any combination your sweet tooth desires.

THE RECIPE:

1 cake mix
2 eggs
3/8 c. oil

Beat ingredients with electric mixture to form dough. Shape into 1 1/2-inch balls, and flatten slightly onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cracks will form on top. Don't overcook or they won't be soft to make sandwiches. Let cool completely, then fill with ice cream.

*Note: We have tried chocolate cake mix and Oreo ice cream, and carrot cake mix and carrot cake ice cream (Wal-Mart brand). Both were a success. Be creative! If you don't want to use ice cream, substitute frosting.

Touched by an angel?

When Mother Superior baked this delightfully airy dish the other day, I was surprised. And not only because we apparently suddenly had a nun living with us. But I loved the eggie goodness you normally taste with puffy German pancakes. Only these nun's puffs, with their sweet and crispy outside and melt-in-your-mouth insides, can be enjoyed without a fork.

Fortunately, this recipe exists and I was willing to try it out. Unfortunately, it only made 11 puffs. I bet I can get 12 out of it next time, though.

THE RECIPE:

1/2 c. butter

1 c. milk

3/4 c. flour

4 eggs

2 Tbsp. sugar

Honey (optional, but it's a good option)

Grease muffin tin, including edges and around tops of cups. In a medium saucepan, melt butter. Add milk. Bring to boiling. Add flour all at once, stirring vigorously. Cook and stir until mixture until you can form it into a ball that does not separate. Remove from heat. Cool for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating for 1 minute with a wooden spoon after each addition. Divide dough evenly among prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown and puffy. Serve with honey, if desired.

Brushing up on bruschetta

This bruschetta chicken bake is a unique dish that's easy to throw together, because one of its main ingredients is boxed stuffing. Even at that, it doesn't taste like dinner from a box.

THE RECIPE:

1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cloves garlic, pressed
Fresh chopped tomato, as much as desired
1 pkg. Stove Top stuffing for chicken
2 chicken breasts, cut up
1 Tbsp. dried basil leaves
Handful toasted pinenuts
1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place canned tomatoes with liquid in medium bowl. Add garlic, stuffing mix and 1/2 c. water. Stir and set aside. Place chicken in 9x13 dish. Sprinkle with basil, cheese and pinenuts. Top with stuffing mixture. Sprinkle with fresh tomatoes. If desired, sprinkle grated Parmesan for looks. Bake for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked. Note: You may want more cheese. I always do.

Tastes like a million bucks

This recipe for peanut butter cookies won $1 million in this year's Pillsbury Bake-off. And though I don't really think any recipe is worth $1 million, these are definitely the best peanut butter cookies I've ever had. They have a creamy center. How awesome for the lady who won, huh?

Click here for the recipe.

*Note: I increased the peanut butter and powdered sugar amounts to 3/4 cup each. I found it impossible to make 24 balls with any less than that.

Start the day right

I love breakfast. And what better way to start the day than by combining all the fixins in one easy dish? This breakfast casserole does the trick.

THE RECIPE:

6 c. frozen shredded hashbrowns

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

3 c. cooked meat, your choice*

8 beaten eggs

3 c. milk

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

Coat 9x13 pan in nonstick spray. Fill with potatoes, cheese and meat. In a bowl, combine eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour over potato mixture. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for about an hour, or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean.

*I use two or more of the following: cooked and crumbled bacon, cubed or chopped ham, cooked ground sausage.

Texas caviar

This salsa-of-sorts is delicious. It gets rave reviews from everyone who tries it. I've decided it's acceptable to eat this for dinner.

THE RECIPE:

1 can each black, pinto and white beans
7 Roma tomatoes, chopped
1 bunch cilantro, chopped (discard stems)
1 bag frozen white corn
Half a red onion, finely diced
1 Anaheim pepper, seeds removed, finely diced
1 pkg. dry Italian dressing (and ingredients to make it)
Juice of 2 limes

Rinse and drain beans. Rinse corn to thaw and mix with beans in large bowl. Add cilantro, tomatoes, onion and pepper. I use a mini-chopper for the onion and pepper. Make dressing according to package directions and add to other ingredients. I use a mini-chopper for the dressing, too, so it's creamy-looking and frothy. Refrigerate salsa so flavors mix. Add lime juice before serving.

By the way, Anaheim peppers are supposedly less spicy than jalapenos, but I've substituted a jalapeno in this recipe and haven't noticed a difference.