Do Nothing Cake

This recipe has been popping up on my FB feed the last couple of weeks so I made it this morning. Not only is the cake and topping very quick and easy , but the cake is delicious. Very moist and dense! 

NGREDIENTS

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 16 ounces crushed pineapple, undrained

ICING

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup coconut
• 1 cup nuts
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS

1. Place first 6 ingredients in a bowl & mix until blended with spoon.
2. Pour into 13x9 inch cake pan.
3. Bake at 350°F 35-40 minutes.
4. For Icing: Mix butter, sugar and evaporated milk together and cook over medium heat until a little thickened. (This usually takes about 5 minutes at a boil).
5. Remove from heat and add remaining ingredients. 
6.  Pour over hot cake.
   

"Sick" Brownie Bites

I saw Valerie Bertinelli make these on her FNC show earlier this week! Such an unusual way to make cookie balls and pretty scrumptious!!!!

1 2/3 cups graham cracker crumbs
2/3 cup shredded coconut
2/3 cup chopped walnuts
one 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
pinch of salt

Spray an 8x8 pan with cooking spray.
Combine the above ingredients in a bowl, stirring with a wooden spoon until well combined. 
Spread in 8x8 pan. 
Bake at 375 degrees 15 to 20 minutes until top is golden. Remove from oven.

Stir the brownie mixture until the chocolate is well incorporated. Press back to the sides of the dish. 
Set aside until cool enough to handle. Spread confectioners sugar on a dinner plate. 
Scoop out brownie mixture by tablespoon and shape into a ball then roll into the confectionery sugar while they are still warm. 
Store tightly covered. 

Hearty Split Pea Soup

I usually make my MIL's fabulous split pea soup, that starts with a ham bone. However I had some ham left over from a boneless ham and I came across this recipe that I could use it in, so I gave it a try. 
This recipe is a keeper and so super easy!!! 

1 [16 oz.] pkg.dried split peas, rinsed and drained
8 cups water
2 medium potatoes, cubed
2 large onions,chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 cups cubed cooked corned beef or ham
1/2 cup chopped celery
5 tsps. chicken bouillon granules
1 tsp. dried marjoram
1 tsp. poultry seasoning
1 tsp. rubbed sage
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp. dried basil

In a Dutch oven, combine all of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours until peas are tender. 

Hash Brown Ham Quiche

Such an easy breakfast casserole and at my home, most of the ingredients are staples!

3 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed {I used diced as that's what I had here}
1/4 cup butter, divided
1 cup shredded pepper-jack cheese {I used extra sharp cheddar]
1 cup shredded swiss cheese
1 cup diced fully cooked ham
2 eggs
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 tsp seasoned salt

Press hash browns between paper towels to remove extra moisture. Grease a 9 inch pie plate with 2 Tbsp. of the butter. Press hash browns in to pie plate onto the bottom and up the sides.
Drizzle with 2 Tbsp. melted butter.
Bake at 425 degree for 20-25 min. till edges are brown.
Meanwhile in bowl

beat eggs, add cream, then remaining ingredients.
Put into the pie plate over top of the potatoes. Reduce oven to 350. Bake uncovered for 20-25 min. until knife inserted in center tests clean. Let stand 10 minutes. 

German Potato Salad

If you have never had German Potato Salad you are missing out on a taste sensation! Unlike your "typical" potato salad, this is served hot. We love it year round. I found this recipe in an old local church cookbook! 

6 medium potatoes, cooked, drained and sliced. I always use    red potatoes and leave the skins on.
2 hard boiled eggs, peeled and sliced
Toss together.
In a skillet, saute 
6 slices of bacon, till nearly crispy
Remove bacon , drain, chop and add to potato and eggs.
Remove all but 2 Tbps. of bacon grease and in that 2 Tbsp. of grease, saute 
1 small onion, diced 
2 stalks of celery , diced
until soft. 
Then add 
2 Tbsp. flour and
2 Tbsp. sugar 
Quickly stir and then add
1 cup water and 
1/2 cup cider vinegar.
Continue simmering and stirring until thickened. Add the potatoes, eggs and bacon and simmer till heated through. 

Zucchini Fritters

Obviously I have been very neglectful at keeping up with my blog. 
My friend Jan gave me her recipe for zucchini fritters that she tells me her whole family loves. Zucchini is my least favorite veggie, but when she mentioned that her grandchildren loved these, I figured I would at least try them. 
I LOVED these and so did Mike.... in fact they were like eating Lay's potato chips.... you can't eat just one!!! This is Jan's recipe as she gave it to me:

Zucchini Fritters

2 small zucchinis, grated and drained

2 cloves of garlic

2 eggs

1/3 c. grated cheese (I use Parmesan and Asiago cheese and add more than 1/3 c.)

1c. flour and 1t. baking powder ( I replace this with 1c. buttermilk pancake mix)

1/2t. or less crushed pepper flakes

some fresh parsley

1t. sugar

salt

Combine ingredients and drop by spoonful in frying pan of oil . We like them brown on the outside and crunchy with a soft center. This is the basic recipe that I go by and

usually add more cheese than it calls for.  Enjoy!

Lemon Pudding cake

This is one of my all time favorite cakes and one that is so easy even for beginner bakers!

In large bowl combine the following ingredients :
1 pkg. (18.25 oz.)Yellow cake mix
1 pkg. 4-serving size, instant lemon pudding and pie filling
4 eggs
2/3 rds cup vegetable oil
2/3 rds cup water

Blend together on low speed of mixer, then beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.
Put in floured and greased bundt pan. Bake at 325 degrees 50-60 min. Cool in pan for 10 minutes then invert onto a plate.
When cool, glaze with a mix of
3/4th cup of confectioners sugar
1 Tbsp. Lemon juice and
2 tsp. Water
Mix together and drizzle over cake!