Chilled Vanilla Coffee

I don't even have any words. If you like Starbucks frappaccinos or Big Trains or any type of blended coffee you HAVE to try this. Super fast and incredibly delicious!

Chilled Vanilla Coffee

2 Tbsp. instant coffee granules
3/4 c. warm water
14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla
4 c. ice cubes

Dissolve coffee in water, blend in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla.
Pour mixture into blender and gradually add ice cubes.
Blend until smooth.
Serve immediately.
Serves 4

Fudge for One

I can't remember where I got this recipe but it is a great snack when you are craving something chocolate. It's wonderful! In fact, I'm ready to make some now...

Fudge for One

1/3 cup sugar
1 heaping Tbsp. cocoa
1 Tbsp. + 2 tsp. milk
1 scant Tbsp. butter or margarine
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Mix sugar, cocoa and milk in 1 quart measuring cup. Microwave on high 1 minute. Stir down sides of the cup and then microwave 40 seconds more. Add butter and vanilla. Beat until thick. Let set up and cut into squares or eat warm right out of bowl! Mmmmm!!!!

Catherine's Banana Bread

I don't really like banana bread with a strong banana flavor. The cream cheese in this one really helps tone it down and it's so moist! I got the recipe from a friend at work several years ago and I am so thankful because I didn't care for banana bread until I tried this recipe! This is also fun to make in mini loaves like I did this time and give away as gifts; just make sure to cut the baking time down a bit so they don't over cook and get dry.

Catherine's Banana Bread

1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese

1 c. sugar

1/4 c. margarine

1 c. mashed bananas

2 eggs

2 1/4 c. flour

1 1/2 tsp. bkg. powder

1/2 tsp. bkg. soda

1 c. chopped nuts

Combine cream cheese, sugar and margarine, mixing until well blended. Blend in banana and eggs. Add combined remaining ingredients, mixing just until moistened. Pour into greased and floured 9 x 5 inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Remove from pan. Serve with additional cream cheese, if desired.

Whole Wheat Bagels

I was trying to decide between 3 bagel recipes and landed on this one because I could make it so quick. They turned out delicious! The recipe came from an old Better Homes & Gardens bread cookbook.

Whole Wheat Bagels

2 3/4 - 3 c. all-purpose flour
2 packages active dry yeast
1 1/2 c. warm water (110 degrees)
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. salt
1 1/4 c. whole wheat flour

In large mixer bowl combine 1 1/2 cups of the all-purpose flour and the yeast. Combine water, sugar and salt. Add to dry mixture. Beat at low speed with electric mixer for 1/2 minute, scraping bowl constantly. Beat 3 minutes at high speed. By hand, stir in the whole wheat flour and enough remaining all-purpose flour to make a moderately stiff dough. Turn out on a lightly floured surface and knead till smooth (8-10 minutes). Cover; let rest 15 minutes.
Cut into 12 portions; shape each portion into a smooth ball. Punch a hole in center of each with a floured finger. Pull gently to enlarge hole, working each bagel into uniform shape. Cover; let rise 20 minutes. In large kettle, combine 1 gallon water and 1 Tbsp. sugar; bring to boiling. Reduce heat to simmering; cook 4 or 5 bagels at a time for 7 minutes, turning once. Drain. Place on greased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 - 35 minutes. Remove from baking sheet; cool. Makes 12 bagels.

*for Everything Bagels:

-sesame seeds

-poppy seeds

-minced onions

just sprinkle on right after boiling!

Chicken Salad

Okay, I don't have any really good pictures to share of this recipe but hey, it's chicken salad...they all pretty much look the same, right?! Taste is a whole other story and this I'd have to say is THE BEST chicken salad recipe I have EVER tasted so I just had to share it. This tastes great as a sandwich, or on crackers, or like we did for my daughter's wedding. We made little "puffs" like for creme puffs and filled them with this recipe. Although, do let people know that this is what it is. One of our good friends loved another friend's creme puffs and he thought by looking at them that that's what they were. Oh my, you should've seen the shocked look on his face when it tasted nothing like the sweet creme puff he was expecting! I sure wished we'd had the camera ready for that shot! Makes me laugh out loud just thinking of it! Thanks, Gary, for the fun memory. Well, fun for me anyways.

Chicken Salad

2 cans chicken, 10 oz. each

1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 stalk celery

2 heaping Tbsp. mayonnaise

4 heaping Tbsp. ranch dressing

small amount Lowry's season salt

(You can also add cut up onions or bell peppers, if you like)

Mix all together and enjoy.