Waffles!

Favorite breakfast around here, hands down!

Best when lathered with thick layers of whipped cream

and strawberries.

Crispy Waffles

Beat Well:

2 eggs 

2 1/4 cups milk

3/4 cup oil

Then add:

2 1/2 cups flour (white or wheat)

4 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

Bake in waffle iron according to directions.  These freeze well.

Hawaiian Haystacks

I remember the first time I experienced this very different

sort of dish.  We had a mother daughter luncheon for my

Primary Merrie Miss class.  I was so excited about this

wonderful meal, and I still enjoy it today.  If you just happen

to have all the ingredients on hand, it's pretty easy, too.

4 cups seasoned chicken broth

1/4 cup cornstarch

2 to 3 cups cooked and cubed chicken or turkey

4 cups hot cooked brown rice

1 to 2 tomatoes, chopped

2 cups frozen peas, thawed

4 stalks celery, finely diced

1 green pepper, chopped

4 to 6 green onions, sliced

1 large can pineapple tidbits

1/2 cup sunflower seeds or slivered almonds

1 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup sliced water chestnuts, optional

1 cup finely grated cheddar cheese

Combine broth and cornstarch. (If broth is hot, mix cornstarch with cold water first,

then mix into hot broth.) Cook until thick and clear.  Add chicken. 

Place remaining ingredients in individual bowls.  Have everyone build their own stack.

Cherry Cheesecake

This is the traditional dessert for Valentine's Day

in this family.  Easy and very good!

Valentine's Day Pie

better known as Cherry Cheesecake

First, make the crust.

Classic Graham Cracker Crust
Makes one 9-inch crust

8 whole graham crackers, finely crushed (about 1-1/4 cups crumbs)
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted

Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix all ingredients until well blended.
Press firmly onto bottom and up side of 9-inch pie plate.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely.

Now for the filling:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 14 oz. can sweet and condensed milk
1/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (or lemon juice from concentrate)
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream together; pour into graham cracker pie crust, Chill 1 hour.
Top with cherry pie filling.

Banana Bread

This is a big family favorite.  We served this banana bread at

Katie's wedding reception.  I'm sure it tasted even better

because of the beautiful way it was displayed.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Mix well:
3 well ripended bananas, crushed
½ cup shortening
1 cup sugar

Add:
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
¼ tsp. salt
½ tsp. soda
½ cup broken nuts
Mix well and pour into greased loaf pan.

Bake 1 hour or until knife inserted comes out clean.

Overnight Baked French Toast

This is so delicious!  It's perfect for a busy conference morning or Christmas breakfast.

I serve it with Breakfast Casserole (below) and fruit.

Overnight Baked French Toast      Recipe from Maryann Nash


Spray a large jelly roll pan with Pam.
Melt together in saucepan:
½ cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons Karo syrup.
Stir, then pour into pan.
Cover with a single layer of French toast bread (the slices are thicker and may have cinnamon swirled into it). Cover entire pan, may cut bread slices in half to fit.
Next, mix:
5 eggs
1 ½ cups Half & Half
½ tsp. vanilla
¼ tsp. salt

Pour over bread. Cover pan with saran wrap and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning bake for 30 mins. at 350 degrees.
To serve, flip slices of bread over onto plate.

Breakfast Casserole

Breakfast Casserole from Maryann Nash


Cover the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan with a layer of Shredded Hash Brown Patties
Melt ¼ cup butter. Pour over hash browns.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 mins.

Next, sprinkle on top:
one cup chopped ham, bacon or sausage
½ cup shredded swiss cheese
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

Beat 8 eggs with 2 cups milk or cream and ½ tsp. salt.
Pour over mixture.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40-60 mins.
It’s done when it’s golden and doesn’t ‘wiggle’ like jello!

Fruit Dip

The first time we made this was for Diane & Dennis'

wedding reception.  It was a big hit.  I made it again

yesterday as part of our Super Bowl snack table.

Fruit Dip

1 small vanilla yogurt (single serving size)

11/2 cups cool whip - room temperature

1 small pkg. instant vanilla pudding mix

Mix together.  Dip fruit. Enjoy!