Baked Zucchini

This is a nice way to eat the abundant zucchini!
Baked Zucchini
Slice 2 medium zucchini 1/4inch thick. Place in a bowl or bag. Drizzle around 2T olive oil, or melted butter, into the bag. Place some minced garlic and 1tsp fresh oregano in the bag and mix all the ingredients well.  Pour out onto a cookie sheet and place in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper..I think garlic powder would be good too. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, or you could even use shredded cheese. Bake at 350 for 35-40minutes.  I think next time I will turn on the broiler for a couple minutes at the end to give them the extra crisp I like on the top.  The bottoms of the slices did get perfectly browned and yummy.

BlackBottom Cupcakes

I first had these gems when I met my MIL, it was love at first bite. I got the recipe from her and tried to make them, but as always, it is never the same as the original baker's. So, in the last 13 years, I've made them twice, only because I let my MIL make them! I have not had any in a few years from her, and the hubby and I have been craving them, so I made them again....hoping they taste like hers! These cupcakes are actually gross when they are warm, have patience and let them get nice and cold in the fridge.
Blackbottom Cupcakes
11/2C flour
1C sugar
1/4C cocoa
1tsp soda
1/2tsp salt
1C water
1T vinegar
1tsp vanilla
1/3C oil
 Stir the above ingredients and pour into paper lined muffin cups about 1/3 full.
Mix the following: 2(8oz)pkgs cream cheese, 2 eggs, 2/3C sugar, 1/4tsp salt
Spoon over the chocolate mixture. Bake at 350 for around 30minutes, they won't look done, but they will set up as they cool. I did 33 minutes and it made the edges hard.
Let cool and refrigerate
Makes 24 cupcakes

Simple and Creamy Pasta Primavera

This is a great way to use up seasonal produce!
Simple and Creamy Pasta Primavera
2C uncooked spiral pasta
1pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2inch pieces
3 medium carrots, cut into strips, optional
2tsp canola oil
2C cherry tomatoes, halved
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2C grated parmesan cheese
1/2C heavy whipping cream
pepper
Cook the pasta. In a large skillet, saute asparagus and carrots in oil until crisp-tender. Add tomatoes and garlic;cook one minute. Stir in cheese, cream and pepper. Drain pasta and toss with asparagus mixture.
This is from Taste of Home

Homemade Chocolate Pudding

Homemade Chocolate Pudding
2T sugar
1T cornstarch
1C milk
1/3C semisweet chocolate chips
1/2tsp vanilla
In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Add milk, stir until smooth.  Cook and stir over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Cook and stir 1-2minutes longer or until thickened. Stir in the chocolate chips; cook and stir until melted.  Remove from the heat. Stir in the vanilla. Serve warm or cold. This recipe makes two servings...double for a bigger amount.

Chocolate Biscuits

This is one yummy way to eat a biscuit! This would be a great recipe for kids to make!
Chocolate Biscuits
1pkg refrigerated flaky buttermilk biscuits
(I get the Pillsbury Simple brand)
1milk chocolate candy bar(use any kind)
2tsp cinnamon sugar
Flatten each biscuit into a 3inch circle. Break candy bar into 10pieces and place a piece on each biscuit. Bring up edges and pinch to seal the candy inside.  Put on an ungreased cookie sheet and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. Bake at 450 for 8-10min.

Cheeseburger Quiche

Cheeseburger Quiche
1 pie crust
3/4pd cooked ground beef
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 onion, chopped, optional
1/2C dill pickle relish
1/2C cooked, crumbled bacon
5 eggs
1C heavy whipping cream
1/2C milk
salt, pepper
11/2C shredded cheddar cheese
Put the pie crust in a 9in pie plate, flute edges.  After beef is cooked, stir in tomatoes, onion relish and bacon. Place into the pie crust.  In a bowl, whisk eggs, cream, milk, salt and pepper. Pour over beef mixture and sprinkle with cheese.  Bake at 375 for 50-60min or until the center is cooked through.  Watch the edges of the crust the last 15min of cooking, you may need to place foil over the edges.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

There are many versions of this salad. Just throw in what sounds good to you and toss with your favorite dressing.  I like the Litehouse Raspberry Walnut Vinegarette dressing, it goes well with the stawberries! You can find it in the store over by the prepackaged salads and refrigerated produce.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
1pkg(6oz) fresh baby spinach
2C sliced, fresh strawberries
1C fresh sugar snap peas(you can find packages of this by the salad kits)
1small red onion, optional
1/2C pecan halves, toasted
Toss all the ingredients and serve with dressing. Add any ingredients you want to, you can even add grilled chicken and/or tortellini!

Tortellini Primavera

Tortellini Primavera
1(19oz)pkg frozen cheese tortellini
1pkg fresh, sliced mushrooms
1small onion, chopped, optional
(green onion is good too)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2tsp butter
2/3C milk
1(8oz)pkg cream cheese, lowfat, cubed
1/2-1pkg fresh spinach
1large tomato, diced
1/4C shredded parmesan cheese
Cook tortellini. In a large pan, saute mushrooms, onion, garlic in the butter until tender.  Stir in milk and heat through. Stir in cream cheese until blended. Add spinach(it will cook down) and stir until wilted.  Drain tortellini and toss with sauce and tomato. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. ***Since zucchini is abundant right now throw it in this dish, or even sub for the spinach**can also add grilled chicken