Monday, May 11, 2020

Mom’s Cole slaw

My mom made the best Cole slaw.

Simple and delicious.

1-small to medium size head of cabbage( grated , shredded or chopped)
1/4 chopped red and green Bell pepper
Miracle whip
Pinch salt
Pinch sugar

Wash cabbage and peppers.

Cut cabbage in half or quarters.  Either grate with hand grater or use food processor.

Combine all ingredients with Miracle Whip salad dressing until desired creamy consistency.

Refrigerate until cold.

Enjoy!







Saturday, May 9, 2020

Happy Mother’s Day!

We may be in the middle of a Pandemic but we will get through this time stronger than ever.

This time has made me realize more than ever how much family and friends mean to me.

The usual grocery store stops and a quick stop by to see a friend can’t happen at the moment and we have so much uncertainty in the world we are all confused and a lot of us are riddled with anxiety.

Keeping ourselves positive and keeping ourselves busy has been a challenge but one thing we can all do is reach out to a friend or family member to show them we are thinking of them.  A phone call, a text or a card will be the nicest gesture you can do to make someone feel loved and cared about.

Happy Mother’s Day to  everyone!

 Stay safe and know you are loved.







Thursday, May 7, 2020

Oatmeal Banana Bread

I was really anxious to try this banana bread Recipe  and did so today.  You won’t be disappointed.  Moist tender and full of flavor, this is a great breakfast bread for a healthier start to your day.

I love breakfast breads of all kinds and my go to are scones or muffins.  I don’t make sweet rich breads for breakfast but those that imo are healthy.  I use unsweetened applesauce or yogurt which allows me To cut back on butter in a recipe.

I think you’ll like this recipe  for your morning or really anytime addition to your cup of coffee Or tea.
Note:  I did make substitutions in the recipe.  Regular or gluten free oats work and you can use wheat flour.  I used what I had in my pantry!  Also I’m going to freeze it in slices and wrap for morning quick bites...
Enjoy!








  • 1 1/2 cup dried oats ( I used gluten free Quaker dried oats) 
  •  1 teaspoon baking soda
  •  1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  •  ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  •  1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup All purpose flour( you can use whole wheat flour)
  •  1 1/2 cups mashed very ripe bananas — about 4 medium bananas
  •  2/3 cup honey or pure maple syrup ( I used honey)
  •  4 tablespoons unsalted butter — melted
  •  1/4 cup milk
  •  3 tablespoons nonfat plain Greek yogurt (I used regular plain yogurt
  •  2 large eggs
  •  1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread 1 1/2 cups oats in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Place in the oven and toast for 8 to 10 minutes, until very light golden and fragrant, stirring once halfway through. Set aside to cool. Line a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper so that two sides overhang like handles. Lightly mist with nonstick spray.
  1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the toasted oats. Set aside.
  2. Mash the banana in the bottom of a large mixing bowl and double check to make sure you have 1 1/2 cups. Whisk in the honey, melted butter, milk, and Greek yogurt. If the butter resolidifies, warm the bowl in the microwave in 10-second bursts, just until it melts. One at a time, whisk in the eggs. Whisk in the vanilla extract.
  3. Add the dry ingredients to the banana-honey mixture. By hand with a rubber spatula, stir very slowly and gently, stopping as soon as the flour disappears. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle the batter with remaining 1 tablespoon oats for decoration.

  4.   Bake for 30 minutes, then loosely cover the pan with foil, making sure that the foil shields both ends of the pan (because the bread is sweetened with honey, it will caramelize and become dark at the corners). Continue baking for 35 to 45 additional minutes (65 to 75 minutes total) or until a small, thin knife inserted in the center of the loaf comes out without any wet batter clinging to it. Repeat the test once or twice. An even easier way to tell is to use an instant-read thermometer. When the bread reaches between 200 to 210 degrees F at the center, it’s done.
  5. Place the pan on a wire rack, and let the bread cool in the pan for 1 hour. Using the parchment paper handles, lift the bread and set it out on the rack to finish cooling completely. Slice and enjoy!




Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Seasoned Chicken Ranch, my way

Using the ingredients I had hanging at the hotel I made this easy crockpot chicken meal using ranch dressing.  Hope you like it.  It proves that using ingredients that you may have in your frige and pantry you too can create an enjoyable meal.








2 bonesless chicken breasts cut in large pieces 
1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch (dry)
2 T. butter
1/2 cup sliced carrots
1/2 diced celery
1 glove garlic minced
1 chicken flavor rice a roni **Note: (do not use seasoned packet that is enclosed) save for another time
1 -10 oz. can chicken broth
2 1/2+ cups water
1/2 package frozen peas(optional add in 10 minutes before serving)

In a medium size crockpot place chicken, butter, carrots, celery and dried ranch package, add rice r roni (rice and noodles).  Add chicken broth,water, cover and place setting on low or high if you want it to be done quicker.  I did mine on high and it was ready in about 4 hours. 

You may have to add more water or broth to thin.  I like thick so it was fine for us.

Easy and delicious.  Make note if it becomes too thick add more chicken broth or water.


Original 2/2/15


Sunday, May 3, 2020

BBQ Country Style Spare Ribs (Crockpot easy)

All you need is a crockpot and BBQ sauce
 Didn't have a clue what to make so out comes my crockpot and this was super easy and I didn't have to stand over it and wait until it was done.  Basically the most effort was boiling the ribs but that only took 15 minutes so as soon as I placed all in my crockpot off I went to look for flowers.  A good day!   Serve with a side of cole slaw and it's a meal in our house. Enjoy!




Cover ribs with water and Boil for 15 minutes. Drain.  
Place the drained ribs in your crockpot add Barbeque sauce and cook on LOW 6 to 8 hours.

Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours or until tender.  Falls apart




2 lb. country style spare ribs
1 large bottle BBQ sauce
1/4 cup or less water(enough to clean out all the good stuff in the jar)
red pepper (optional)


In a large pot place spare ribs and cover with water.  Boil for approx. 15 minutes.  Drain

Place spare ribs in Crockpot and cover with BBQ sauce. Add enough water to swish around bottle and add it too. (Approximately 1/4 cup or less) Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.  Enjoy!


5/27/14