Conrad’s Banana and Zucchini Bread

Pre-heat Oven to 350 Deg F

60gm / 1/3 cup oil
175gm / 6oz / ¾ Cup Sugar
3 Eggs
½ tsp Vanilla Extract

Beat together.

Then mix together:

225gm / 8oz / 2 Cup Flour
<2 tsp Baking Powder/li>
1 tsp Baking Soda

Add the Dry mixture to the wet and mix until just mixed.
Add 2-3 mashed bananas or 2.5 Cups of grated zucchini or some drained crushed pineapple (actually nice to mix with the bananas – moist and tasty) / Persimmons.
Add 0.5-1 cup of nuts.
Add 0.5 Cup of dried cranberries (or chopped dried fruit) and /or chocolate chips – nice white chocolate chips are amazing to add.
Mix all together, bake in a 350 deg F oven for 50-60 mins.
Note, this is an American based recipe, so, I usually reduce the sugar by 10-20% depending on how sweet the dried fruit are.

Paul Kruker’s Salsa Recipe

It’s delicious!

2 lbs Tomatoes
1 lb Tomatillos
1/4 – 1/2 C of Red Onion
Small Bunch of Cilantro
One or Two Jalapeno Peppers
1/2 Lime or Lemon
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar (or to taste)
<1 Tbsp Salt (or to taste) Husk the tomatillos. Brown them (and the Jalapeno(s)) on a fry pan over med-high heat for 3-5 minutes. Half the browned tomatillos. Remove seeds from the Jalapeno(s) and finely chop. Dump both in the blender/food processor. Halve the tomatoes, squirting out most of the juice and seeds.* Now quarter the tomatoes and add to the blender/food processor. Add remaining ingredients (chopped cilantro, half a lemon or lime, brown sugar and salt) to the blender/food processor and pulse till salsa has consistency you like. Allow the flavors to merge in the fridge for 2-4 hours prior to serving. Enjoy. Cherry-Chocolate Chip Cake

This recipe came from the “Betty Crocker’s Ultimate Cake Mix Cookbook” and was the 2008 Block Party Winner. You’ll Need:

1 pkg White Cake Mix
1 container (8 oz) sour cream
1/2 Cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon almond extract
3 egg whites
2 jars (10 oz each) maraschino cherries, well drained and chopped (1 cup)
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
Buttercream Frosting & sprinkle w/ some chocolate chips to decorate

Heat oven to 350. Generously grease bottom only o frectangular pan, 13x9x2
Beat cake mix, sour cream, oil, almond extract and egg whites in large bowl. Batter will be thick. Drained chopped cherries on paper towels; pat dry. Stir cherries and chocolate chips into batter. Pour into pan.
Bake 25 – 33 minutes (test for doneness)
Cool completely – Frost

Buttercream Frosting:

3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup buttore or margarins, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Mix powdered sugar and butter in medium bowl with spoon or with mixer on low speed. Stir in vanilla and 1 tablesppon of the milk.
Gradually beat in just enough remaining milk to make frosting smooth and spreadable. If frosting is too thick, beat in more milk, a few drops at a time. If frosting becomes too thin, beat in a small amount of powdered sugar.

Easy Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole

This is a basic but hearty and delicious casserole, made with pasta and ground beef, along with tomatoes and seasonings. Top this casserole with Monterey Jack cheese or use a blend of shredded American and Jack or Cheddar cheeses. Jean Amacher made this for 2010 NNO.

3 cups uncooked medium shells or mini penne pasta
1 lb. lean ground chuck or ground round (85 to 90% lean)
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes with juice
1 large can (15 oz.) tomato sauce
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Heat oven to 350°. Lightly spray or grease an 11×7-inch baking dish.

Cook pasta according to package directions until just tender; drain well.

In a large skillet over medium heat, saute beef with onion and celery, breaking up with a spoon. Cook, stirring, until almost cooked through. Add garlic and salt and cook for 2 to 3 minutes longer. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, granulated sugar, and the cooked drained pasta. Spoon into the prepared baking dish and cover dish tightly with foil. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Remove foil. Sprinkle with the cheese and bake uncovered for about 5 minutes longer, or until cheese is melted.

Serves 4 to 6.