Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Muffins

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Muffins

4-5 very ripe bananas

2 cups sugar

1 stick of butter, softened

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 tsp salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven at 350 degrees. In a mixer, mash the bananas, then add the sugar and butter until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until combines. Place liners in cupcake pans, should make 24. Spoon into each liner and sprinkle a small amount of sugar on top (optional). Bake for 16-18 minutes until lightly golden and cooked through. 

* These freeze really well! *

Chocolate Buttercream

Chocolate Buttercream

1 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened. (3 sticks)

1 cup of cocoa powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

4 cups of powdered sugar

2 teaspoons of real vanilla extract

1/4 cup whole milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/3 cup Ovaltine

Cream together the room temperature butter, cocoa powder and salt. Mix for like 2 minutes or until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated. Turn the mixer on low and add the powdered sugar, then the milk and vanilla extract. once the powdered sugar starts to incorporate, turn the mixer up to medium speed and beat until smooth. in a cup, mix together the heavy cream and Ovaltine. Turn the mixer down and slowly stream in the ova line mixture. Then mix until your desired consistency. Enjoy!

Crock Pot Carnitas

Crock Pot Carnitas

1 1/2 lbs top sirloin steaks

1 yellow onion, sliced

1 cup water

1 cup beef broth

1/2 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon cumin

Cut the top sirloin steaks into 1 inch cubes. Next, brown the sirloin in a pan until it has a nice crust. Remove the steak and set it aside. Add the onions to the pan and cook until translucent. In the crock pot, pour the water and beef stock into the bottom. Add the meat and onions and cover in the spices. Cook on low for 5-6 hours and serve with warm tortilla and all your favorite toppings! OR if you have kids, like me, make some quesadillas out of it!

Red Onion Jam

8 red onions

2 tablespoons of butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup

1/2 cup red wine

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 teaspoon dried cumin

In a large pot, melt the butter. Once you have sliced all of your onions thinly, put it into the pot with the melted butter. Let these cook completely until they are all translucent. Next, add the brown sugar and let them caramelize just slightly. Once that is complete, add the remaining ingredients in and simmer for 30 minutes. This will make about 5 small mason jars. Let it come to room temperature before you refrigerate it. Enjoy this on top of burgers, or steak sandwiches or even scrambled eggs!

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

1 pound ground chicken

1/2 cup italian breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons chopped onion

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

salt and pepper to taste

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 egg, whisked

zest of quarter a lemon

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 14-ounce can store-bought pizza sauce

Fresh Mozzarella

Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, using your hands, gently mix together first 11 ingredients. Shape into golf sized meatballs. Place a few inches from each other on a foil-lined baking sheet. In a small bowl, mix your pizza sauce with olive oil. Brush this mixture on top of each meatball. Bake for 15 minutes.

Remove meatballs from oven, spoon some more sauce on top of each meatball, and cover each with a slice of cheese. Broil another 3 to 5 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. YUM.