Carrot Brownies

I found this recipe in an old Pueblo Cookbook in New Mexico. I had it for over a year until I decided to give it a try.

Very good warm topped with vanilla ice cream.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
11/2 cups shredded carrots
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Cream the butter, sugar and vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Mix the dry ingredients in another bowl and then incorporate to the creamed mixture.

Pour in a buttered and floured 13 x 9-inch baking pan and bake at a preheated 350 F oven for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Irresistible Brownies

Prevention magazine

www.prevention.com

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted if lumpy
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup dark brown sugar
1 egg
1 large egg white
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts

Heat oven to 350 F. Coat 8 x 8 or 9 x 9-inch baking pan with coking spray (I buttered and floured).

Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.

Put sugar, oil, egg and egg white and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Pour into flour mixture and stir until blended. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts (batter will be stiff).

Spread batter in prepared pan. Put in oven and bake 20-22 minutes or until firm at edges and wooden pick inserted off center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Place crumbs on rack and let cool completely. To serve, cut into 8 bars.

Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti

The Pioneer Woman

www.thepioneerwoman.com

I made a couple of changes to this recipe.

3 cups spaghetti broken into 2 1/2 inch pieces, cook in salted water and drained (pasta has to be a little under-cooked).

2-3 cups cooked shredded chicken
2 cans (10 3/4 oz) cream of mushrooms, undiluted
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/3 cup chopped yellow onions
1/3 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 tablespoon Canola oil
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Extra 3/4-1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Saute onion and bell pepper in the hot oil. Once the vegetables are tender, remove from the skillet and mix with the remaining ingredients except the extra cheese.

Place the pasta mixture in a greased 13 x 9 baking pan. Sprinkle with the extra cheese.

Bake in a preheated 350 F oven for 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Chocolate Mug Cake

Mix in a big mug:

3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon semisweet chocolate chips

Microwave for 90 seconds. let it set for 2 minutes, Top with ice cream or whipped cream.

Makes 1 cake mug

Healthy Applesauce -Oat muffins

Mel's Kitchen Cafe
www.melskitchencafe.com

1 cup rolled/old-fashioned oats
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 tablespoons butter or coconut oil, melted
1/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins, optional

Preheat the oven to 375 F.Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease the muffin cups. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, stir together the oatmeal, applesauce, milk, egg, vanilla, butter and sugar. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt (and cranberries or raisins if using). Make a well in the center and pour in the applesauce mixture. Stir until just combine (do not overmix or the muffins will be dense and dry). The muffin batter texture might be a bit different (wetter?) than other muffin batters but no fear, carry on!

Distribute the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups. Bake for 15-20 minutes until a toothpick inerted comes out clean. Don't overbake or the muffins will be dry.

remove the muffins to a rack to cool completely. Once cool, I place 6-9 muffins in a large freezer ziploc bag, suck all the air out and seal the bag, then freeze pulling them one by one to stick in my kids lunches or warm slightly for a snack.

Makes 12 muffins

Texas-Style Chili

Better Homes and Gardens
www.bhg.com

2 1/2 lb chuck roast 3/4-inch chunks
2 cans (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (10 oz) can enchilada sauce
1 (10 oz) condensed beef broth
2 cans pinto beans or red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons oil

In a Dutch oven brown meat in oil . Stir in the onions and garlic and cook until tender. Add the remaining ingredients. Simmer covered for 1 hour. Uncovered and cook for 30 minutes.

Add mixture of:

1/2 cup water
1/4 cup masa harina

Thicken the chili. Stir in chopped fresh cilantro. Serve with warm flour tortillas and Monterey Jack cheese, shredded.

Note: I add less masa harina because I do not like it very thick.

Saucy Beef Chili

Cuisine Magazine, Splendid Soups and Super Sides.

Cook:

1 lb ground chuck
1 cup minced onions
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic

Stir in:

2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 can tomato puree (10.75 oz)
1 3/4 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained (16 oz)
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

Shredded Cheddar
Sliced scallions

Cook chuck in a large saute pan over medium heat, until cooked through and no longer pink. Strain chuck through a fine-mesh sieve, then rinse under running water to remove additional drippings; drain. Return chuck to pan with onions and garlic. Crush mixture with a potato masher until meat is a very fine consistency.
Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, celery salt and cayenne; cook 1 minute. Add tomato puree and broth. Bring chili to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until liquid nearly evaporates, about 15 minutes.
Add beans just to heat through and stir in vinegar. Serve chili topped with cheese and scallions.

Make 5 servings (about 5 cups)

Note: I served it over baked potatoes.