Better Than Box Brownies
Source:  Brown Eyed Baker

Brown Eyed Baker is one of my favorite site.  I get emails from this site throughout the week.  Often recipes pop up that pique my interest.  This brownie recipe was no different.  When I needed a treat for my boys having some friends over this was my 1st choice.  It didn't disappoint.  It makes me wonder why I'd ever buy a box mix.

Better Than Box Brownies

Ingredients

⅓ (28 grams) cup Dutch-processed cocoa
½ cup + 2 tablespoons (148 ml) boiling water
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
4 tablespoons (57 grams) unsalted butter, melted
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons (140 grams) vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2½ cups (496 grams) granulated sugar
1¾ cups (248 grams) all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon salt
1 cup (170 grams) semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving about a one-inch overhang on all sides. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Whisk cocoa powder and boiling water together in a large bowl until smooth. Add the unsweetened chocolate and whisk until the chocolate is melted. Whisk in the melted butter and oil (the mixture may look curdled at this point, that's okay!). Add the eggs, yolks, and vanilla extract, and whisk until smooth and homogeneous. Whisk in the sugar until fully incorporated. Add the flour and salt and mix with a rubber spatula until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.

3. Scrape batter into prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Bake until a toothpick inserted halfway between edge and center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and cool for 1½ hours.

4. Using the foil overhang, lift the brownies from pan. Place the brownies on the wire rack and cool completely, about 1 additional hour. Cut into 2-inch squares and serve. Brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Tater Tot Soup

Some friends pass this recipe around.  I made it tonight.  Not a bad option for a chilly fall weeknight.  Now we'll see what this kids think!

Tater Tot Soup

Ingredients
4 slices of bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
48 tater tots (onion flavor suggested - I couldn't find onion so I used regular and added some sautéed onion)
1 15 oz can of corn kernels, drained
15 oz chicken broth
2 cups whole milk (I used 1%)
Pepper

Directions
In a heavy soup pot, brown the bacon until crispy.
Remove bacon to paper towels and drain the pot.

Add frozen tater tots to pot, cook until thawed, 1 or 2 minutes.

Add bacon, corn, broth and milk to pot.  Stir to combine.

Bring to a boil.  Lower the heat and simmer 12 - 15 minutes until the potatoes are soft.

Stir to break up tots some but leave a bit chunky.

Sprinkle pepper.

Honey Lime Berry Salad

This was a great thrown together fruit salad - for the non banana lover - me!  We served it on Mother's Day.  It was all gone!

Honey Lime Berry Salad

1 cup strawberries
1 cup blueberries
1 cup blackberries
1 cup raspberries
1 kiwi, skinned, cut up
zest of one lime
2-3 tsp. honey

Whole Grain Fruit Bars

Whole Grain Fruit Bars
Source:  Two Peas & Their Pod

The kids have been loving nutri grain bars.  I've searched for a version I can make at home.  More control over ingredients.  These were super easy to make and yummy.  Now to make my own wrapper because that confuses the kids a bit!

Ingredients
1 1/2 c whole wheat flour
1 1/2 c old fashioned oats
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup cold unsalted butter
2 TBSP cold water
3/4 cup fruit preserves (I used Trader Joe's Strawberry)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350.

In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt.  Pulse 30 seconds.

Add butter and cold water.  Pulse until dough holds together.

Grease 9X13 pan, line with parchment.
Divide the dough in 1/2 & press into the prepared baking dish.
Press evenly.
Spread preserves on top of the dough.
Top with remaining dough.

Bake 45 minutes.
Cool, cut in 1 1/2 X 4 in. pieces.

Slow Cooker Creamy Coconut Steel Cut Oats

The perfect quick breakfast.  I love this stuff!  I add in different things depending on my mood - nut butter, jelly, coconut flakes, seeds, toasted nuts, brown sugar, honey, etc etc etc.  Makes a ton!

Slow Cooker Creamy Coconut Steel Cut Oats

Ingredients
2 cups steel cut oatmeal
1 can full fat coconut milk
8 cups water
1 tsp. vanilla
2 TBSP organic cane sugar

Instructions
Place all ingredients in a crockpot.  Turn to low and let sit overnight for about 8 hours until creamy.

Green Beans with Cranberries & Pecans

Just a silly recipe from the green bean package!  But I really enjoyed it and want to remember it!

Green Beans with Cranberries and Pecans
Source: Birdseye

Ingredients
2 tbsp butter
16 oz. cut green beans, cooked & drained
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp dried cranberries
2 tbsp chopped pecans

Directions
Melt butter in a large skillet over high heat.  Stir in cooked green beans, honey, dried cranberries and pecans.  Cook until heated through, about 3 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.  Great with roast chicken.

Quick and Easy Peppermint Fudge

This is a recipe from the Pioneer Woman.  I was looking for just a little something sweet to add to my christmas baking this year.  This did the job.  Done in minutes!  I'll make this again I am sure!

Quick and Easy Peppermint Fudge
Source:  Food Network, Ree Drummond

Ingredients
Cooking spray for spraying foil
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Red peppermint candies, crushed, for topping (I used candy canes)

Directions
Line an 8X8 in square baking pan with aluminum foil.  Spray the foil with cooking spray.

In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk and stir until it's all melted and smooth.  Pour into prepared pan and spread to even out the surface.  Sprinkle on the crushed candies.  Refrigerate for 2 hours.

Lift the foil out of the pan and peel off the fudge.  Cut into small squares.