Yummy Zucchini Cake

4 eggs
3 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. oil
1 tsp soda
3/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
3 c. grated zucchini
3 c. flour
1 c. walnuts (optional)

Beat eggs. Add sugar and oil and beat together. Add everything else except flour and zucchini, beat together then add the flour and zucchini.

Bake in 9x13 cake pan at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. You can also put this in a sheet cake pan but do not put the whole recipe in, you will have a mess in the oven. Bake for 20+ minutes.

Icing
1/4 c. butter
3 oz cream cheese
2 1/4 c. powder sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/8 c. canned milk (I used regular and it was fine too)

I got this recipe looking on other peoples recipe blogs. I needed a recipe for my zucchini that has been growing in my garden. I decided to try this recipe not knowing how it would taste and it ended up being really good. It is almost like a spice cake to me except for really moist. If any of you have any good zucchini recipes let me know I have been looking for some good ones lately. This is really Yummy especially when it is warm.

Oreo Cookies

2 cake mixes (I used Devil)
4 eggs
2 sticks butter (soften)
Mix together

Bake at 350 for 8 minutes and let cool.

For the filling:
8 oz. cream cheese
1/4 c. butter or margarine
1/2 teas vanilla
1 c. powder sugar

Beat your cream cheese first then add the butter beat these together and add the rest of ingredients.

I got this recipe from Nicole she made these cookies for us once and I love them!! They are a little time consuming but they are definitely worth it. I have made them twice now and they are gone fast!! The boys eat them all in one day.

Chicken Penne in Smokey Chili Cream Sauce

My sister made this for me one time when we visited her, and I loved it!!  She got it from a magazine (I'm not for sure which one).  Just to warn you, it is a little spicy.  I made it one time for my family and added a little too much chipotle.  My kids were literally crying because it was so hot!!  Before I had tasted it I told them, "You better eat it because there is nothing else!!"  Then I tasted it and felt bad that I had said that because it was pretty hot.  So go easy on the chili powder and chipotles if your kids don't like spicy food.  Enjoy! 

12 ounces uncooked penne pasta                   1-1/2 TBS. veg. oil

1 lb. bonless, skinless chicken breasts

(cut into 3/4 chunks) 1/3 C. chopped onions

1 tsp. minced garlic 2 C. prepared Alfredo sauce

1 TBS. chipotle in adobo sauce 2 tsp. chili powder

2 tsp. maple syrup 1/2 tsp. salt

8 slices fully cooked bacon, chopped 2 TBS. chopped fresh cilantro

Cook penne following package directions. Heat oil in a large skillet 

over med-high heat and cook chicken for about 4 min. or until 

cooked through. Remove to a plate and reserve.  Reduce heat to med.  

Add onion to the skillet and cook for 3 min, stirring occasionally.  

Add garlic and cook 30 sec. Stir in Alfredo sauce, chipotle, 

chili powder, maple syrup, and salt. Cook over med-high heat until 

bubbly. Stir in chicken. Place pasta back into the pot and stir in 

the Alfredo and chicken mixture. Garnish with the bacon and cilantro.

Black Bean Corn Salsa

On the weekend mom made this salsa for us all to try, we all actually loved it so I decided to make it and post for everyone to try. You can make it mild, medium, or HOT!! Hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.

Black Bean Corn Salsa

2 c. black beans, rinsed ( used one can)

1 can tomatoes with green chilies or you can use fresh tomatoes

1/2 c. diced green onions

2 c. corn ( I used frozen )

1/2 teas. cumin

1/2 teas. diced jalapenos (this is your desire on how hot you want it)

salt and pepper to taste

Mix all together and put in fridge. Serve with chips or you can roll in tortilla and enjoy.

No Bake Cookies

My family loves to make and eat these cookies!! They are so simple and are gone before dinner.

2 C. Sugar 1/2 C. Margarine or Butter

1/2 C. milk 5 TBS.  Cocoa

Boil together 1 minute.  Remove from heat and add 1 C. nuts (optional)

Add.

3 C. quick cooking oats 1 tsp. Vanilla

Stir until thick and drop from teaspoon onto wax paper.

Potatoe strips with cheese

3 C. raw potatoes (cut like french fries) 1/2 C. milk

1 TBS. butter or margarine 1 tsp. salt and pepper to taste

1/2 C. grated cheese 1 TBS. finely cut parsley (optional)

Put strips of potatoes into a greased baking dish and pour milk over them.  Dot with butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Cover and bake in a hot oven 425 degrees for 40 min.  Sprinkle with cheese and parsley, bake uncovered for 5 more minutes.

Simple potatoes with salt and pepper

My friend gave me some of her red potatoes from her garden.  So I sliced them, drizzled extra virgin olive oil over them.  Gave them a good sprinkling of  salt and pepper (you could also add italian seasoning, thyme, rosemary, sage) and gave them a good toss on the cookie sheet.  Put them in the oven at 350 degrees for about 40 min. (or until they are cooked all the way through).  If you would like, you can sprinkle some cheese on them while they are hot.