Banana Bread Cookies

My mom used to make these cookies for me when I was a kid. When I would have sleepovers she would make a big batch and all us girls would snack on them all night. They are a healthy cookie so I don't feel bad letting my kids have 2-3 :) They really taste like little banana bread bites, so good!

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup sugar

2/3 cup applesauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 cup egg beaters or 3 egg whites

1 cup mashed bananas (about 3)

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups flour

 2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
cinnamon and sugar mix

1. Mix sugar, applesauce, oil, eggs, banana, and vanilla. Add in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix until all combined. The dough will be super soft. Kinda like banana bread. Put the whole bowl in the fridge for 30 minutes. Or be like me and stick it in the freezer for 15 minutes so you can eat them sooner :)
2. After they have been chilled preheat your oven to 400 and use a cookie scoop and scoop out 12 per cookie sheet. Sprinkle the tops with cinnamon sugar and bake for 8 minutes. As soon as they are done remove them and place on cooling racks. Then EAT! They are nice and fluffy. So good! Now you could add chocolate chips, walnuts, or a sweet glaze.

Nice and fluffy

                         Really cute babies like snacking on them, yum!

Italian Grilled Cheese

This is a really yummy way to make grilled cheese. There are so many variations for this sandwhich but I LOVE this flavor combonation. This dinner is simple but very satisfing!

Ingredients:  (make for as many sandwichies as you like!)

bread (homemade if possible, so good!)
sliced mozzeralla cheese
sliced tomato
fresh chopped basil

1.  I use homemade bread for this dinner. The bread is so fluffy and gives this sandwhich such great flavor. But a great storebought sourdough would be delicous. Just butter both outsides of your bread and place cheese on the inside. Sprinkle with basil and put it on the hot pan. Give it a few minutes and flip it!

Now we do this a bit different. I grill the sandwhich with just cheese first. As SOON as I take the sandwhich off the heat, I quickly open the sandwhich and place the tomoato slices on one side of the bread and then close it.  This way there is cheese on both sides and you don't have tomaotes falling out when you flip it.

2. So easy! Add some fruit and veggies and dinner is served!

Mandarin Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

You might know that I love salads. Love them. Thank goodness my husband does too so.... we religiously have salad night every Friday. I look forward to this night. That might seem weird but it is true. I love when the weather warms up and there is lots of yummy fruits and veggies available and that means delicious salads will be created. This salad is fresh and crisp! I found a recipe and tweaked it a bit and it is perfect. The dressing really adds tons of flavor. Add toasted and buttered ciabatta or french bread and dinner is served!

 

 

 

Ingredients: (this made 2 adult size dinner salads)

 

1/2-1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped

1/2 thinly sliced medium red onion (optional, my husband isn't a huge fan of raw onion)

1 large avocado, cubed

4-6 pieces of turkey bacon, cooked and chopped

1 large can Mandarin oranges, drained

4 chicken breast tenders or 2 chicken breasts, thawed

salt

pepper

garlic granules

 

Dressing:

1/3 cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
A few turns of freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon spicy mustard
1 green onion, chopped

1/4 cup fat free Italian dressing

1 teaspoon poppy seeds

 

1. Put your lettuce on your plates. As much as you like. We like big salads for dinner so we put a good amount of lettuce on our plates. Right on top add your onion, avocado, turkey bacon and oranges. Next it is time to cook your chicken.

2. Season your chicken with salt, pepper and garlic granules. Cook in a skillet or on the grill until done. Let cool for a few minutes so when your cut into it, the chicken will still be juicy. Slice and top your salad with the chicken.

3. Ok, dressing time. This is really easy and quick because you toss it all in the blender! Combine vinegar, salt, pepper, sugar, and mustard in your blender. Blend. While the blender is running, add the green onion. Continue running the blender and add the Italian dressing in a steady stream until it is fully incorporated into the dressing. Pour into a serving container and stir in your poppy seeds. Top each salad with as much dressing as you like.

Enjoy a yummy spring salad.

 

adapted from our best bites