Deep Dark Chocolate Cake

Mmmmm... The best chocolate cake I've ever tasted. This recipe comes from Devin's aunt Rita and it's oh so good!
Deep Dark Chocolate Cake

• 1 3/4 cup flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cocoa
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup oil
• 2 tsps vanilla
• 1 cup boiling water

Combine dry ingredients in large mixer bowl. Add eggs, milk, vanilla and oil. Beat for 2 minutes at medium speed. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour into greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 until done.

*Ice with your favorite chocolate icing. :)

Crispy Chews

These are so easy to make and add a nice variety to a plate of Christmas baking. And they're delicious too!
Crispy Chews

• 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
• 2/3 cup corn syrup
• 2/3 cup peanut butter
• 2 1/2 cups rice krispies
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 3/4 cup mini marshmallows

Combine brown sugar, corn syrup and peanut butter in saucepan over low heat. Cook until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and add remaining ingredients, stirring until well combined. Drop by teaspoonful onto wax paper lined baking sheet. Form into firm balls. Chill for 1/2 hour.

Chocolate Banana Loaf

Something a little different to make with those bananas that are too ripe to eat. ;)

Chocolate Banana Loaf

Cream together:

• 1 cup margarine
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar

Add:

• 2 eggs
• 2 bananas (mashed)
• 1 tsp vanilla

Sift together:

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup cocoa

Grease and flour 2 loaf pans (4 1/2 x 8 1/2).

Blend together and add:

• 1 cup boiling water

Divide between 2 loaf pans. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes.

Corn Chowder

This is a super easy, super tasty soup recipe - the picture really doesn't do it justice.

Corn Chowder

• 4 bacon slices, diced*
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cups (10 oz) fresh, frozen or canned cream corn
• 1 1/2 cups potato, raw, diced
• 10 oz cream of mushroom soup
• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper

Put bacon and onion into large pot. Saute together until onion is clear and limp. Add the next 6 ingredients. Bring to boil. Cover and simmer until potato is cooked. Stir frequently. Makes approximately 6 cups. Tastes excellent with fresh biscuits!

*Ham also works for this soup, as an healthier alternative to bacon.

Italian Peas

This is a nice variation with peas. Adds some flavor! Excuse the foggy picture - they were fresh from the skillet. ;)
Italian Peas

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 16 ounces frozen green peas
• 1 tbsp chicken stock
• Salt and pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic; cook about 5 minutes. Add frozen peas and stir in stock. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook until peas are tender; about 10 minutes.

Shirley Temples

Shirley Temple

This drink works best when served in a tall glass. Fill half way with orange juice. The more flavorful variety it is, the better it would taste. These were made with a orange/passion fruit/guava frozen juice mix. Also add a little less water when mixing it up so the flavor is a little stronger. Then fill the remainder of the glass with lemon-lime sode or gingerale, whatever you have on hand. Finish it off with a tablespoon or two of grenadine (easy found in most grocery stores). The grenadine sinks to the bottom, making a multicolor drink. Pop a maraschino cherry in the glass or put an orange slice on the edge of the glass. To get the crystalized effect on the top, just put the glass, upside down, in a shallow bowl of water, then dip into some white sugar. Obviously you would do this before putting anything in your cup! Voila - an easy and very pretty drink. The perfect thing to serve at girls night. :)

Catalina Cranberry Chicken

This sounds like an odd combination of ingredients, but put together they're actually quite delicious. The end result is flavorful, tender chicken. Great with dirty rice. This recipe/photo is from the Kraft website.

Catalina Cranberry Chicken

• 4 lbs skinless chicken pieces (breasts or thighs)
• 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1/2 cup catalina dressing
• 1 envelope onion soup mix

Heat oven to 350. Place chicken in two 9x13 baking dishes. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over chicken. Bake 50 minutes or until chicken is done.

*Mix and match chicken pieces you have on hand or that are on sale. Use all breasts, thighs or a combination of both. Each breast half is one serving while two thighs are one serving.