Banana Bread

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1&1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions:

1. Cream the butter and sugar. Blend in the bananas, vanilla and eggs.

2. Whisk together the dry ingredients.

3. Add to the bread mixture and mix until just combined. Pour into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan.

4. Bake at 350F. Check on the bread after 35 minutes (it may take up to 60 minutes). Banana bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool the banana bread in the pan for 10 minutes then cool completely on a wire rack.

Easy, Breezy, Lasagna

Ingredients: 

16 pieces (about 16 oz.) lasagna noodles, uncooked
1 pound ground beef
1 & 1/2 jar (about 35 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1/2 cup water
16 ounces ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
2 teaspoons chopped oregano
2 teaspoons chopped basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

1. In large skillet, brown meat; drain.

2. Stir in spaghetti sauce and water; simmer 10 minutes. (I always add extra sauce and meat, it makes it WAY better =)

3. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Lay flat on foil to cool.

4. Heat oven to 350°F.

5. In large bowl, stir together ricotta cheese, 1 & 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, oregano, basil, garlic, salt and pepper.

6. Spread about 1/3 cup meat sauce on bottom of 13 x 9 glass baking dish. Arrange 4 pasta pieces lengthwise over sauce, overlapping edges. Spread one-third cheese mixture over pasta; spread with about 3/4 cup meat sauce.

7. Repeat layers, beginning and ending with pasta. Top with remaining meat sauce; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.

8. Cover with foil. Bake 45 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Remove foil; bake about 10 minutes longer, or until lightly browned. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

Chicken Parmesean

Ingredients

4 boneless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness

1 egg
1/2 cup milk

seasoned bread crumbs

2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil

8 slices mozzarella cheese, or more

1 jar (16 oz) spaghetti sauce

Parmesan cheese

Preparation

1. Whisk together the egg and milk. Dip the chicken breasts in milk and egg mixture and then in bread crumbs. 
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in the hot oil on both sides until golden, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Set chicken in a baking dish. 
3. Slice 8 pieces of mozzarella cheese and put two on each chicken breast. 
4. Pour 1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce over all. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and a little more mozzarella.
5. Bake at 350° for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly.