Banana Crunch Muffins

I love Ina Garten! These Banana Crunch Muffins did not disappoint! I filled the granola jar yesterday, so with granola prepared....it was the perfect time to make the muffins.
Barefoot Contessa - Banana Crunch Muffins
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 lb unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 extra large eggs
3/4 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup mashed ripe banana (2 bananas)
1 cup medium-diced ripe banana (1 banana)
1 cup small pieces walnuts
1 cup granola cereal
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
dried banana pieces (optional) or granola cereal (optional) or shredded coconut (optional)
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Line 18 large muffin cups with paper liners.
Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
Add the melted butter and blend.
Combine the eggs, milk, vanilla and mashed bananas, and add then to the flour-and-butter mixture.
Scrape the bowl and blend well.
Don't overmix.
Fold the diced bananas, walnuts, granola and coconut into the batter.
Spoon the batter into the paper liners, filling each one to the top.
Top each muffin with dried banana chips, granola, or coconut, if desired.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
A dolop of cream cheese frosting on the top makes them complete! I love chunks of banana as well as the mashed banana and I really love the granola mixed in for a little crunch. These are great and would make a super addition to any breakfast....without the frosting;)

Sunday Thoughts

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing."

Edmund Burke

Aunt Ruthie's Carrot Cake

I LOVE a recipe that has been passed down through generations...and is good. This recipe came from The Farmer's Aunt Ruthie who recently passed away. Although I did not know her very well, every story I hear about her is fun and full of laughter. This cake is wonderful!!
Aunt Ruthies' Carrot Cake
3 eggs
1 1/2 c. oil
2 c. sugar
1 small can of crushed pineapple
3 c. flour
2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
2 t. cinnamon
1 c. coconut
3 c. grated carrots
1 t. vanilla
1 c. chopped pecans
Beat together eggs, oil, and sugar. Add pineapple and mix. Stir in carrots, vanilla, coconut and nuts. Mix well. I like to add 2 T. ground flax seed (I try to sneak it in anywhere I can). Pour into 2 9 inch cake pans that have been oiled and floured. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-60 minutes. When cool, frost with Cream Cheese Frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting
1 8oz. pkg. of cream cheese
1/2 cube butter, softened
2 t. vanilla
1 box of powdered sugar.
Beat all together until smooth and creamy.

Another Summer Favorite

Little Rooster, Preshie and I spent the morning in the garden. I love the garden, it is not as weed free as it should be, but I love it! I have hoped that The Darlings would learn to love it too. My Dad always kept a beautiful garden while I was growing up and we learned to work in the garden and eat from the garden as well. The Darlings are great on the eating part...but still learning to love the working part. We cleaned out a section of the garden to prepare for our Fall garden that needs to be planted. And we picked alot of squash, okra and tomatoes. YUM!! We really love okra at out house. Again something I learned to love, growing up. Most people don't enjoy okra, usually it is in gumbo or prepared in a way that it is slimy. It is a very under appreciated vegetable if you ask me....and if prepared right...a complete joy to eat! Above is what okra looks like, freshly picked from the garden. The Darlings don't like to pick it, because it leaves you itchy, but it is worth the itch!
Here is the okra sliced and ready to cook. I dust it lightly with flour and place it into a pan with 1 T. of butter and 3-4 T. of oilve oil. Cook, stirring often until browned.
Here is the finished product! Yummy! It is crisp and wonderful. Along with garden fresh tomatoes you have a great lunch that is good for you.