Banana Bread

I've been eating banana bread since I was a kid and as an adult I've been trying to make it the right way.  I have made it many times and have never used the same recipe more than once.  Every time I have made it, I was never wowed by it.  It was either too dry, too moist, not enough banana flavor or some other reason.  Last night, I had a bunch of bananas that were ready for the garbage bin but I didn't want them to go to waste.  I looked at all the banana bread recipes I had and came up with something that I feel would be a great tasting recipe.  This is what I came up with and I do like this one - It's a keeper !

Ingredients :

2 eggs
1/3 cup of milk
1/2 cup canola oil
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp of almond extract

Mix all the above ingredients together in a bowl.  Then add 1 cup of bananas.

1 cup mashed bananas


In another bowl, mix the following ingredients.

1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix together until blended.

Oven 325. for 60 minutes, check at 45 minutes, oven vary.

Avocado Dip

Bring on Summer !I love avocado, this is one of my favorite things to make in the Summer time with a nice juicy cocktail on the patio.  This avocado dip is great with plantain chips !

What you need :

2 avocados, chopped and slightly mashed
1 small tomato, diced
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 TB spoon of cilantro
1 stem, green onion, both green and white parts
1 TB lime juice
grey salt and cracked pepper


Mix all together . Serve with chips of choice.. but plantains chip are a great choice !

Sometimes I mix in shredded chicken or crab meat.

Enjoy !

Reuben Style Egg Rolls

I love these little pocket stuffed with gooey cheese, sauerkraut and corned beef !  They are perfect if you are having a St. Paddy's party. If you love Reuben sandwiches and eggs rolls, you are gonna love these !

Here's what you need:

1 cup of chopped corned beef brisket.

1 cup cup of sauerkraut, squeeze excess juice from it.

3/4  cup of shredded Swiss cheese

Put 2-3 generous tablespoons of the mixture on an egg roll wrapper.  Fold up to form egg roll shape.

Deep fry until golden.

Cut diagonal , serve with Thousand Island dressing or a grainy mustard.

Enjoy these... they are fantastic !

Asian Meatballs

Meatballs are a classic dinner time dish and there are so many different ways to make them.  I think  a sweet and sour meatball recipe was the first cookbook recipe I ever made  when I was in high school and I still make that same recipe today.  I wanted something different.    I love Asian flavours and these are great ! Try these as a dinner dish or as an appetizer at a cocktail party or get-together.

What you need :

For the meatballs  :

1 lb of ground pork
1 lb ground beef

3/4 cup of panko crumbs - Japanese bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs will do

1 egg
1 TB chili powder
1 tsp 5 spice powder
1/2 grated onion
2 TB lite soy sauce
1 TB sesame oil
3 green onions, chopped.. white and green part
1 tsp pepper


Mix all the above ingredients together.  Form into balls.  Place in a casserole dish.  Bake in oven for about 35-40 minutes.

For the Sauce :

¾ c brown sugar

½ cup soy
½ cup honey
1 tsp garlic
½ cup apple juice ( or orange juice)

2 tsp of cornstarch

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.  Pour over cooked meatballs and place back in the oven for 15-20 minutes.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds for garnish.

Enjoy !

Ham & Cheese Swirls

I love these !  They are quick  & simple to make and taste lovely.  It's nice to just pop one of these in the microwave and warm them up for a light snack or lunch with a salad.  Kid friendly !

What you need :

One roll of  Pepperidge Farm  puff pastry dough

About 6-8 slice of Black Forest ham, Virginia ham or ham of choice

About 9 slices of Swiss cheese

1 TB each of poppy seeds & black and white sesame seeds.  If you don't have them.. just omit.

 How to :

First, roll out the puff pastry.  I stretch it out a bit.... enough to be able to put three slices of cheese  across.  ( do not use Kraft single cheese slices)

Mix the poppy seeds and sesame seeds.  Sprinkle over the pastry dough, press lightly into dough and  then flip over the dough so the seeds are on the other side.

Place the Swiss cheese on the dough, then the ham.  Roll up the dough to form a log.

                              Cut into generous 1 inch spirals.  Place on non stick baking sheet.


 375 degree oven. 

Bake about 30 minutes  or until golden.

Keep an eye on it as ovens will vary  ( mine is difficult & unpredictable)

Let  set a couple of minutes before you bite into them.  That cheese is hot !


Enjoy !