Lighter Straw and Hay

this from another Pillsbury monthly:

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/lighter-straw-and-hay/3bbabd9b-ec51-4b19-b6f1-224ee24649e1/

I used plain, dry fettuccine since I couldn't find the refrigerated, nor spinach varieties. I also used tofu instead of the ham. Jeffry liked it, but the rest of us weren't impressed.

Craig's Crazy Chocolate Cake

that name given to this recipe by my mother, many years ago...

Combine, then make a hole in the center:
3 c. flour (I've even snuck in some whole wheat)
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. cocoa
1 1/2 t. soda
1 t. salt

Into hole of dry ingredients:
2/3 c. oil
2 T. vinegar
2 t. vanilla
2 eggs
2 c. water

mix, pour into greased 9x13" pan
bake at 350 for 30+ minutes

(adjust recipe for smaller cakes, adjust time for smaller cakes and cupcakes)


This variation for my Dad's birthday cake ...
First, I made a package of cheesecake flavored instant pudding
Then I made the cake with...
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. white flour
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. cocoa
3/4 t. soda
1/2 t. salt

in a glass measuring cup
1/2 c. applesauce
enough oil to make it 2/3 c.
2 T. vinegar (oops, it should have been 1 T.)
1 t. vanilla
1 egg
1 c. water

I mixed the cake and then added the pudding to the mixture before baking. I tried only 1/2 c. sugar, but the batter didn't taste right. I know, I know, as a Doctor's daughter, I should know better than to eat cake batter with raw eggs in it. But in this case, I think this particular Doctor will thank me later.
I can give this variation a resounding "yuck". It took over an hour to bake. There was too much pudding in it, so it turned out more like a custard. Dad appreciated it, but I thought it was no good at all.

Grandma Bette's Cheesecake

I don't have a Grandma Bette, but that's the affectionate name I use for my parent's neighbor.

Crust:
mix, then pat into cheesecake pan:
1 package graham crackers, crushed
3 T. (or more) melted butter

Cheesecake:
Beat well in medium sized bowl:
4 large eggs
gradually add;
1 c. sugar

In a separate, large bowl, blend:
24 oz. cream cheese (I actually use the Neufchatel, since it's lower fat)
1 T. vanilla
1/2 t. salt

Combine two mixtures and pour over crust

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes (it usually takes longer when I do it) until it's browning on the edges and still jiggles in the center.

Pilgrim's Pie

Thanksgiving in a pie!

I line a pie plate with pastry, then layer the leftovers inside - stuffing, squash, green bean casserole, turkey, gravy and then top it off with the potatoes.

Yum!

You've probably noticed that it's almost 2 months after Thanksgiving, so it freezes well.

Pecan Pie

from Betty Crocker:

line pie plate with pastry (I go with store made, because pastry and I don't agree on mixing and rolling out)

combine in bowl:
1/3 c. butter (melted)
2/3 c. sugar
1 c. light corn syrup
1/2 t. salt
3 large eggs

once combined, add
1 c. pecans

And just because I'm a chocolate lover and raising a chocolate lover, there were chocolate chips on half of the pie

Bake at 375 for 40-50 minutes (until set in center)

Pumpkin Bread

Modified from Aunt Delaine ...

1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. cloves
1/2 t. nutmeg
2/3 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. white flour
2 eggs
1 can pumpkin pie filling

pour into a greased bread pan
bake at 325 for 75-90 minutes

verdict: I don't remember how the oil and all white flour version tasted, so this tasted just fine.

Chili Cheese fries

Chili (adapted from Betty Crocker)

Brown:
1 lb. ground beef
1 onion (I used some fresh sweet onion, and some dried/minced)
2 cloves garlic (I used the ready-minced, jarred garlic)

Add:
1 T. chili powder
1 t. cumin
1 t. oregano
1 t. cocoa
1 t. hickory smoked salt
2 cans diced tomatoes (undrained)
2 cans beans (undrained)

I served them over French fries, with sour cream and shredded cheese. Verdict: very good.