Parmesan Baked Tilapia with Zuccini

This is a really good tilapia recipe. The topping for this is what makes it so good! It's really easy to make, so if you feel like making fish, try this recipe. :)

Ingredients: Tilapia (the recipe will make for up to 4- 6 pieces depending on the size.....)
                    2-3 zuccini's (or sometimes I do 2 zuccini's and 1 squash)
                   1/8 cup lemon juice
                    3/4 cup parmesan cheese
                   4 T. butter
                    4 T. mayo
                    4 T. onion, chopped fine
                    1/2 tsp. salt
                   1/2 tsp. dried basil
                   pepper to taste

                 
                 Directions: Preheat oven to 350. Place the fish in a buttered dish (9x13). Slice the zuccini (and squash if you're using that too), and place on top of fish covering all of them. Brush the tops with the lemon juice.
    Bake for about 20-30 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the parmesan cheese, butter, mayo, onions, and seasonings. Mix well.
     When the fish is done spread the mixture on top and turn the broiler on and bake another 5 minutes or until golden brown.

Three Milk Banana Heaven Cake

This is one of my hubby's favorite cakes. Very, very yummy! I've made it for family a few times now and it's always a hit.

Ingredients: 1 box white cake mix (I get betty crocker supermoist...but I don't think it matters....)
                    1 1/4 cups water
                    2 T. veggie oil
                   3 eggs
                    1 cup mashed banana (about 2 to 2 1/2 bananas)
                  1 can (14oz.) sweetened condensed milk
                    1/2 cup coconut milk (NOT cream of coconut!) I have never seen it at walmart...I always have to go to Kroger...and it's in the liquor aisle.
                   1/2 cup whipping cream
                    1 container whipped fluffy white frosting
                 extra banana and coconut flakes for the top *optional*

Directions: Heat oven to 350. Grease the Bottom Only of a 13x9  pan with spray.
  In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, water, oil, eggs and mashed bananas with electric mixer for 30 seconds on low, then about 2 minutes on medium speed.
  Pour into pan and bake for about 30-35 minutes or until done. Cool completely. (about 1 hour)
 Poke top of cake about every 1/2 inch with a long tined fork...or whatever works,...because honestly who has one of those?? Not me, I just used a baby spoon, but I flipped it around and used the end you hold it with. Perfect! So you'll find something around your house to use!
   In a large bowl, stir together the condensed milk, coconut milk and whipping cream. Carefully pour evenly over top of cake. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight until mixture is absorbed into the cake.
   Then, spread the frosting over the cake and top with shredded coconut and fresh banana slices.
Store covered in refrigerator.

Chicken Cobb Salad Sandwich

I love cobb salads, but I never keep lettuce for it around the house because it always seems to go to waste, so I decided to turn it into a sandwich. This sandwich has everything on it you would find in a cobb salad. It's got the chicken, bacon, tomato, avocado, boiled egg, cheese, onion ....you name it...this is a big sandwich!

Ingredients: Your favorite bread (I used pumpernickel rye swirl)
                     sliced deli chicken lunch meat
                      Bacon (2-3 pieces)
                     Tomato, sliced
                     Avocado, sliced (and I also mix some in with a little mayo to spread on the bread)
                     1 egg, hard boiled
                      your favorite cheese (I used colby jack shredded...only because I forgot it at the store...I would get actual slices next time)
                     onion, sliced
                     Ice berg lettuce leaves

                                     This is what the layering process looks like! I told you this sandwich is huge! :)

Directions: Cook your bacon and while it's frying you can get everything else together. Also start boiling your egg in water to get it hard boiled. Slice up your tomato, onion, lettuce and avocado. In a small bowl, add half the avocado and a little mayo and stir it until smooth. Then, spread that on each slice of bread.
  Now just layer everything on top! Any order you want. yummy!

* This sandwich serves 2 people  ;)

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

I got this recipe from a cookbook that my Aunt Debby and cousins AJ and Jaylen got for me for Christmas.  These are the THE BEST cookies! So moist and yummy! I crave one just thinking about them. My 16 month old son LOVED them...........

        would this face lie to you? haha!!!!

Ingredients: 3/4 c. butter, softened
                    1 c. sugar
                    1 egg
                    1 tsp. vanilla
                   1 cup bananas, mashed (it's about 2-2 1/2 whole bananas)
                    1 1/2 c. flour
                    1 tsp. salt
                     1/2 tsp. baking soda
                    1/4 tsp. nutmeg
                    1/4 tsp. cinnamon
                     1 3/4 c. quick oatmeal
                   1/2 c. pecans, chopped
                   Powdered sugar for dusting

Directions: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla, and mashed banana, beat well. In a seperate bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, and cinnamon, then add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in the oatmeal and nuts.
  Drop by spoonfuls onto a greased sheet.
Bake at 350 for about 10-12 minutes. Do not overbake! They may seem "doughy" but that's just because  of the banana...makes for a very moist cookie!!!  Remove from oven and sift powdered sugar on them while they are still warm. yum!!!!!

* Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Chicken and Herb Wild Rice Soup

This is my moms recipe. It is so good and SO healthy. Everything in this soup is good for you, so if you're trying to eat better this year....this is the soup to make! To make things easier, I would chop everything up beforehand. Thanks mom! :)

Ingredients: 1 t. olive oil
                   1/2 c. chopped onion
                   1/2 c. chopped celery
                  1/2 c. chopped red pepper
                   1 cup sliced mushrooms
                  2 1/2 c. chicken broth
                 2 c. water
                   1/2 c. uncooked wild rice
                  1 c. diced potatoes
                  1 c. diced carrots
                 15 oz. can garbanzo beans, drained
                1/2 t. thyme
                 1/2 t. mustard powder
                 1 t. basil
                 2 c. cooked, diced chicken (about 2 pieces of boneless skinless breasts)
                1/2 c. frozen peas

Directions:
     First make sure you cook your chicken and cut it into pieces. Set it aside. Also, make sure to chop up all the ingredients first and set them all aside. It makes it easier.
    Then, in a big pot over medium high heat add the olive oil. When it's hot add the onion, celery, red pepper and mushrooms. Saute 2 minutes.
   Add the broth, water, wild rice, potatoes, carrots, garbanzo beans, thyme, mustard powder, basil and cooked chicken.
   Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat. Simmer about 45 minutes. Then, add the peas and cook 5 more minutes.

Raspberry Avocado Smoothie

I know this smoothie sounds weird with the avocado in it and all....but I'm telling you it's good! You wouldn't even know there was avocado in it if I didn't tell you. A great way to eat healthy and not even notice it!

Ingredients: 1 Avocado
                    3/4 cup orange juice
                  3/4 cup cran-raspberry juice
                   1/2 cup frozen raspberries, not thawed

Directions: Just throw everything into a blender and blend until smooth. Yummy!

Serves about 2-3 people.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

I love soups and my favorite soup of all time is broccoli cheese, so I was on a mission to find a good recipe for one. This one is it! Very yummy. :)

Ingredients: 6 T. butter
                   1 onion
                     Fresh Broccoli ( I used about 2 1/2 of the big ones...you know the ones that already have the plastic stuff wrapped on them at the store)
                    58 oz. chicken broth
                    16 oz. of velveeta cheese, cubed
                   2 cups of milk
                    1 T. garlic powder
                    2/3 cup cornstarch
                    1 cup water
  *shredded mozzarella cheese and crackers* optional

                    Directions: In a big pot on medium heat, melt the butter and cook the onion until soft. Stir in the broccoli and chicken broth. (I cut most of the stem off the broccoli and make the pieces small and medium bites)
   Simmer until tender (about10-15 minutes)
  Reduce heat, then stir in cheese cubes until melted. Mix in the milk and garlic powder.
In a small bowl, stir the cornstarch into the water until it's dissolved. Stir into soup and cook stirring frequently until the soup thickens.
 Top with the shredded cheese if you want and crackers.

*Serves a lot!!! I would say 8 people.

Homemade Granola with Yogurt

This recipe is awesome. It's so easy and makes for a really good breakfast or snack.

Ingredients: 3 cups ROLLED OATS (Not Instant!)
                    1 cup almonds (I got the sliced kind)
                     1 1/2 cup cashews
                    3/4 cup coconut
                    1/4 cup plus 2 T. Dark brown sugar
                     1/4 cup plus 2 T. maple syrup
                     1/4 cup veggie oil
                     3/4 tsp. salt
                    1 cup blueberry craisins (or just regular raisins)
        Vanilla yogurt *optional* (I get the activia vanilla)

                  Directions: In a bowl combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar. In another bowl, combine the syrup, oil, and salt. Then, combine them together.
    Pour onto an ungreased cookie sheet (the biggest one you have!)
Cook at 250 for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Stir it every 15-20 minutes to get a good color on it.
Remove from oven and add the craisins (or raisins) Mix well. Top with yogurt.

*It makes a lot, but this stays good for awhile as long as you store it good. I just put mine in a big ziplock bag and me and my hubby ate it for breakfast for days! It's also really good without the yogurt as a quick snack to munch on.

Barbecued Chinese Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Happy New Year 2012! In honor of the new year I thought I'd post something healthy, fun and yummy! I love lettuce wraps. I got this from Rachel Ray (LOVE her!) I changed up a few things though to my taste and made it a little easier too. Gotta try these!

Ingredients: Pkg. of ground chicken
                    2 T. sesame oil (you can also use peanut oil)
                    Sea salt and black pepper
                    minced garlic (about 2-3 tsp.)
                    1 inch of ginger root, grated
                    1 orange, zested
                     1/2 red pepper, chopped small
                    Can of water chestnuts (6-8 oz.) drained and chopped
                    1 onion, chopped
                     3 T. Hoisin Chinese BBQ sauce (it's in the Asian aisle, and it's a pretty small jar...couldn't find it at Walmart...had to go to Kroger)
                    Head of iceberg lettuce

Directions: Add oil to a large pan on medium/high heat. (OR...if you happen to have one of those stir fry skillet things use that! That's what I did and it was perfect!) Add the ground chicken, and cook and chop up until cooked through. Add some salt and pepper to season, then the garlic and the ginger root.
   Cook a minute more. Then zest the orange peel over the pan. (I just used a cheese grater...I need to get that tool!) Add the red pepper, water chestnuts and onion.
    Cook another minute. Add the Hoisin BBQ sauce and stir to coat the mixture evenly.
 Then, just transfer into your little leaves of lettuce and you are done! You can squeeze a little of the orange on it too if you want. I tried it with and without...good both ways...but you already have the orange and used the peel anyways...so you might as well! :)

*Serves about 4-5 people.