Tag Archive | back to school

Marble Banana Bread

Sep1
Marble Banana Bread

Marble Banana Bread

The yummy tastes of chocolate and banana are good enough on their own, but when they’re combined and baked into bread, they’re even better.

Banana bread swirled with a rich chocolate batter that’s embellished with mini chocolate morsels is a treat that will appeal to folks of all ages.

So if you’re looking for unique ways to make use of overripe bananas, try this recipe. After all, you can’t go wrong the pairing of chocolate and bananas.

MARBLE BANANA BREAD

Vegetable shortening, for pans
2 cups flour, divided
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sour cream
2 eggs
3 medium overripe bananas, mashed
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup miniature semisweet chocolate morsels, plus 2 tablespoons

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottoms of two 8×4-inch loaf pans. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together sour cream, eggs, bananas, sugar, brown sugar, butter, and vanilla. Add egg mixture to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened.

Remove 1/3 of the batter to a small bowl; stir cocoa powder and chocolate morsels into this batter. Stir the remaining 1/2 cup flour into the plain batter. Spread half of the plain batter into both prepared pans. Using half of the chocolate batter, drop heaping tablespoons randomly onto plain batter in both pans. Spread the remaining plain batter over chocolate batter in both pans. Drop the remaining chocolate batter over plain batter in the same manner in both pans. Using a butter knife, swirl through the batters to create a marbled effect. Sprinkle loaves with the remaining 2 tablespoons miniature semisweet chocolate morsels. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Cool completely. Makes 2 medium loaves

Apple Pear Sauce

Oct1
Apple Pear Sauce

Apple Pear Sauce

Homemade applesauce is always welcome at the table, but why not put a tasty twist on tradition with the addition of pears.

This combination is good enough on its own, but by cooking them in cranberry juice cocktail along with a couple sticks of cinnamon, it’s easy to make a seasonal treat. It’s just as easy to double or triple the recipe and share with family and friends.

And if you like the idea of making simple hand-crafted items to complement your home, then pick up a copy of Cooking, Baking, and Making: 100 Recipes and DIY Ideas for All Seasons and Reasons and learn how to make easy No-Sew Placemats like these that will be the perfect addition to your fall table.

No-Sew Placemats

No-Sew Placemats

Apple Pear Sauce

3 medium cooking apples, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped
2 medium pears, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup cranberry juice cocktail
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 (3- to 3 1/2-inches each) cinnamon sticks

In a medium saucepan, combine apples, pears, sugar, cranberry juice cocktail, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, partially covered, until apples and pears are tender, 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Remove cinnamon sticks. Mash with a potato masher to desired texture. Serve warm or chilled. Makes about 2 cups.

Strawberry Fruit Dip

Jun3

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Strawberry Fruit Dip

Strawberry Fruit Dip

Strawberry Fruit Dip

Ideal for entertaining, this crowd-pleasing recipe takes just a few minutes to whip up. An excellent choice for a graduation party or any other summer get-together, it’s easy to prepare by simply combining a few packaged ingredients.

And it’s just as easy to double or triple the recipe. Serve with fresh strawberries or other seasonal fruits for a refreshing treat as welcome as a summer breeze.

STRAWBERRY FRUIT DIP

1 (6-ounce) carton non-fat strawberry yogurt
1 (6-ounce) carton non-fat vanilla yogurt
1 (8-ounce) carton regular or light frozen whipped topping, thawed
Assorted fresh fruit, such as strawberries, pineapple, grapes, kiwi, cantaloupe, for dipping
For dip, in a large bowl, combine strawberry and vanilla yogurt. Fold in whipped topping. Serve with assorted fresh fruit. Makes 24 servings.

Butterscotch Crispy Treats

Sep10

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Butterscotch Crispy Treats

Butterscotch Crispy Treats

Butterscotch Crispy Treats

Embellish the time-honored recipe for marshmallow treats with the yummy flavor of butterscotch for quick to prepare snacks that are perfect for a crowd.

Ideal for children of all ages, this recipe can be made at the last minute and is an excellent choice when it comes to easy back-to-school snacks.

With full schedules for both parents and children, this crowd-pleasing recipe is a timely treat.

BUTTERSCOTCH CRISPY TREATS

6 cups crisp rice cereal
1/2 cup butterscotch chips
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter
3 tablespoons instant butterscotch pudding and pie filling mix (from a 4-serving size package)
1 (10.5 ounce) package miniature marshmallows
Butter a 9×13-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, combine cereal and butterscotch chips. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat; stir in marshmallows. Cook until melted and smooth, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in pudding mix. Pour over cereal mixture. Stir until well coated. Press mixture into prepared pan. Cool completely. Cut into squares. Makes 24 squares.

Colorful Bow Tie Pork

Nov20
Colorful Bow Tie Pork

Colorful Bow Tie Pork

The back to school season is in full swing with hectic schedules for both parents and children. At this time of year, quick to prepare dishes are especially welcome. Ideal for time-crunched cooks, this recipe for Colorful Bow Tie Pork is a great choice for busy weeknights.

Packed with nutritious veggies, flavorful pork, and hearty pasta, this vibrant dish is tossed with a tasty cheese sauce just before serving. And with Thanksgiving right around the corner, check out this family-pleasing recipe for Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie. Made with minimal ingredients, it’s a terrific timesaver.

For more kid-friendly recipes that will make it easy to stick to full schedules at this time of year, visit Food Lion. Enjoy!

Thanks to Food Lion for sponsoring this post

 

 

 

Caramel Popcorn Balls

Oct27

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Caramel Popcorn Balls and

WKTV News Harried Housewife Caramel Popcorn Ball Recipe

Caramel Popcorn Balls

Caramel Popcorn Balls

Have a ball this Halloween and scare up a smile from ghosts and goblins of all ages. An old-fashioned favorite, this spellbindingly easy recipe can be ready to serve like magic. Packaged caramel candies shorten time spent in the kitchen and a hint of chocolate lends a unique touch.

Perfect for all the hungry ghouls who will soon be gracing neighborhood doorsteps, these last minute treats will do the trick. From my family to yours, Happy Halloween!

Here are some more Easy Halloween Recipes. Enjoy!

CARAMEL POPCORN BALLS

2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon water
28 caramel candies
2 tablespoons butter
13 regular size marshmallows
12 cups popped popcorn
Nonstick cooking spray
Line a large baking sheet with waxed paper or parchment paper. In a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat, combine chocolate chips, water, and caramel candies. Cook until caramel candies are almost completely melted, 4 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in butter and marshmallows. Cook until mixture is melted and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour over popcorn; toss to coat. Coat hands with nonstick cooking spray; shape popcorn mixture into 12 (2 1/2 to 3-inch diameter) balls. Place on prepared baking sheet; insert wooden sticks, if desired. Let stand until set, 15 to 20 minutes. Makes 12 popcorn balls.

Harried Housewife Recipe Box – Applesauce Pecan Muffins

Oct4

Hi! Here is a link to today’s recipe from The Harried Housewife’s RECIPE BOX for Applesauce Pecan Muffins as seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2.

It’s the perfect time of year to make good use of just-picked apples. Enjoy! 🙂

Chocolate Peanut Butter and Banana Roll Up with Marshmallows

Sep24
Chocolate Peanut Butter and Banana Roll Up with Marshmallows

Chocolate Peanut Butter and Banana Roll Up with Marshmallows

Minimal ingredients and a couple of minutes are all it takes to whip up a gooey treat just in time for the back to school season.

Ideal for kids of all ages, this easy to make roll up is both delicious and nutritious. Simply slather a flour tortilla with the new and yummy whipped peanut butter and chocolate flavored spread, top with banana slices, and sprinkle it with miniature marshmallows.

Roll it up, place on a microwave-safe plate like this one from Oneida, and microwave until heated. Terrific as an after school snack, this mouthwatering treat couldn’t be quicker or easier. Now this is a great way to savor the back to school season.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER AND BANANA ROLL UP WITH MARSHMALLOWS

1 tablespoon whipped peanut butter and chocolate flavored spread
1 (8- to 10-inch) flour tortilla
1/2 ripe medium banana, sliced
2 tablespoons miniature marshmallows
Spread whipped peanut butter and chocolate flavored spread on tortilla, leaving 1/2-inch border. Arrange banana slices on spread; sprinkle with marshmallows. Roll up. Transfer to a microwave-safe plate, seam side down; microwave on HIGH until just heated, about 30 seconds. Let stand 1 minute before slicing. Cut into 2 or 4 pieces. Makes 1 serving.

Thanks to Oneida for providing dinnerware

Apple Slices with Peanut Butter Dip

Sep10

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Apple Slices with Peanut Butter Dip

Apple Slices with Peanut Butter Dip

Apple Slices with Peanut Butter Dip

Make the most of apple season by whipping up a slightly sweetened peanut butter dip that pairs perfectly with just-picked apples.

By combining a few pantry staples, it’s easy to create a healthy dip that can be on the table in a matter of minutes. Simply slice a few apples and arrange them along with dip on a sturdy platter like this Chef’s Table Platter from Oneida.

Terrific for the back to school season and just right for little hands to dip into, this nourishing snack is a tasty way to enjoy the abundance of apples—and all the goodness of autumn.

APPLE SLICES WITH PEANUT BUTTER DIP

1/3 cup regular or reduced-fat peanut butter
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Apple slices, for dipping
For dip, in a small bowl, combine peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon; stir until smooth. Serve with apple slices. Makes 12 servings.

Thanks to Oneida for providing serveware