Best Brownies

1/2 c. butter, melted
1 cup. sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 c. flour
1/3 c cocoa
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c. chopped nuts.

Heat oven to 350. Greast 9 " square pan. Stir together butter, sugar and vanilla. Add eggs. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt, gradually add to butter mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in nuts. Spread into pan. Bake 20-25 min, until brownies pull away from side of pan. Cool, frost with Creamy Brownie Frosting

Creamy Brownie Frosting

3 tbsp butter, softened
3 tbsp cocoa
1 tbsp corn syrup or honey
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 c. powdered sugar
1 to 2 tbsp milk

Beat butter, cocoa, honey, and vanilla. Add powdered sugar and milk, beat to spreading consistency.
ENJOY. Make a double batch for 13 x9 pan.....you will eat them!! :)

Awesome Chicken Salad

3 Chicken Breasts
2 cloves garlic
2 tbsp olive oil
4 roma tomatoes, chopped
1 14oz artichoke hearts, quartered
1 2.25 pitted sliced olives
1/2 tsp italian seasoning
1/ tsp black pepper
2 c romaine
1 c feta cheese
1/3 c. basil leaves, chopped

Cook chopped chicken breasts with garlic in olive oil. Add tomatoes, artichoke hearts, olives, and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Put romaine and feta on plate. Add portion of chicken mixture. Sprinkle basil on top.
Enjoy.
**A perfect healthy lunch!

Cappuccino Doughnut Bars

For the dough layer:
1 1/4 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. cocoa powder
2 tbsp. instant espresso powder
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 c. buttermilk
4 tbsp butter, melted

For cheesecake layer:
2 pkg cream cheese
1/2 c sugar
2 eggs
1/4 c. coffee flavored liqueur
1 c. chopped chocolate covered coffee beans

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x 13 pan. Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, espresso powder, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. Stir in buttermilk and butter until combined. Spread evenly into pan.
Beat cream cheese and sugar until combined. Add eggs and liqueur, beating until smooth. Pour over doughnut layer.
Bake cheesecake until set, about 25 min. Let cool slightly. Sprinkle with chocolate covered coffee beans. Refrigerate until cool, cut into squares, and serve.


*****I used Kahlua coffee liqueur flavored syrup. This is awesome with a cup of coffee!!!!

Granola

6 c oats
1 1/2 c. nuts
1/4 c brown sugar
1 c. sesame seeds
1/2 c. oil
1/2 c. honey.

Mix dry ingred. Add oil and honey. Mix. Spread on greased cookie sheet. Bake 359 for 10 min. Stir. 10 min more. Set to c ool.

*** I take 1 1/2 c nuts and 1 c. sesame seeds and instead do 2 1/2 c. of nuts, fruit, and sesame seed mix. Works great

*ZUCCHINI BOATS*

Yum and yum. :) A light lunch/supper or a good side dish.

2 small zucchini

1 Italian sausage link (4 oz), casing removed

1 tablespoon chopped onion

1 tablespoon chopped celery

1/4 cup salad croutons

1/4 cup shredded cheese (divided)

Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell; set aside.

Chop zucchini pulp; set aside.

Crumble sausage into small skillet; add onion and celery. Cook over medium heat until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Stir in croutons, 2 tablespoons cheese and zuchinni pulp. Spoon into zucchini shells.

Place in an ungreased baking dish; add 1/4 in. of water. Cover and Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake 5 minutes longer or until zucchini is tender.

Yield: 2 servings.

**** I didn't use any croutons and added extra sausage and cheese.... yum! I also didn't use a link... just ground Italian sausage.

Sugar Cookies

2/3 c shortening (i used butter)
3/4 c sugar
1/2 tsp orange peel
1/2 tsp vanilla
Cream together above ingredients
Add 1 egg till light and fluffy
Stir in 4 tsp milk
Add 2 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
Chill for 1 hr. Then roll out 1/8 inch thick
Bake 375, 6-8 min.

You will need a triple batch. These are excellent

Frosting: powdered sugar
vanilla(lemon)
milk
butter
may add orange or lemon peel

Ham and Asparagus Bake

2 Cups ham, cooked and chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 Cup chopped green onions
2 Cups fresh asparagus cut into 1/2 to 1 inch pieces
2 Tablespoons butter
8 eggs
2 Cups milk
1/2 Cup flour
1/4 Cup Parmesan cheese, grated
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon thyme
3/4 teaspoon cracked rosemary
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 to 1 Cup shredded cheddar cheese
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add asparagus and green onion and saute until tender, about 8 minutes, stirring frequently. 2. Add asparagus, onions and ham to baking dish. In large bowl, beat together remaining ingredients (except cheddar cheese) until smooth. Pour over ham. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake an additional 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted. Let set a few minutes before cutting and serving