Easy Yellow Cake

 This made from scratch yellow cake recipe is just as simple as using a boxed cake mix, without the preservatives. Just a few simple ingredients that almost everyone already has in their pantry and on hand.

Ingredients

3/4 c. butter or margarine
1 1/2 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 1/3 c. buttermilk or sour milk
2 1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 c. flour

 Directions

Heat oven to 350°. Spray a 9 x 13-inch cake pan. You can also spray the pan with cooking spray if desired.

In a large mixing bowl, combine shortening and sugar together.  Beat well until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. 

Add buttermilk and vanilla.  Beat well. Be sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl occasionally.

Add baking powder, salt, flour to the bowl. Mix well.

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.

Bake for 40 to 42 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Allow the cake to cool completely and then frost with your favorite frosting.

Pork Chops and Asparagus

This is an easy one dish meal that takes no time at all to prepare.  Potatoes, asparagus and bell peppers baked along with pork chops. It is a very colorful meal and healthy too.

Ingredients

3 Tbs. olive oil, divided
3 c. potatoes, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
3 c. asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces
salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp. Southwest seasoning
1/2 c. parmesan cheese
1/2 c. panko breadcrumbs **
1 tsp garlic
4 pork chops, cut 1 inch thick

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly spray or oil a 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan. 

Place the potatoes, and bell peppers in the baking pan.  Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over the top of the potatoes. Using your hands, mix the potatoes and peppers until they are all coated with the oil.  Season with salt and pepper to taste and mix them again.  Move the potatoes to one side of the baking pan.

In a low sided dish or pan, combine Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs and garlic powder. 

Place the pork chops in the baking pan. Brush the top side of the pork chops with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Using half of the Parmesan cheese mixture, divide that evenly among the pork chops. Lightly, press the mixture on top of the pork chops, so that it covers the pork chops.

Bake for 25 minutes. 

Add the asparagus to the baking sheet on the other end of the baking pan. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over the asparagus. 

Turn the potatoes over with a spatula. 

Sprinkle the rest of the Parmesan cheese mixture over the top of the potatoes, asparagus and pork chops.

Bake for another 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender, and the pork is cooked through.

Notes

Instead of using panko breadcrumbs, you can use stuffing mix or croutons that you crushed up finely.

Easy Sauted Garlic Asparagus

Easy Sautéd Garlic Asparagus

 

The asparagus in our garden is about to come up, and we are looking forward to eating some of this delicious, healthy vegetable. Did you know that asparagus is healthy for you? It has vitamin A, C, K, thiamin, riboflavin, and folate?   According to Live Science, asparagus helps to regulate blood sugar levels, lower type 2 diabetes and slow down the aging process. 

Ingredients

1 Tbs. olive oil
1 Tbs. butter
1 lb. asparagus trimmed
salt and pepper to taste
3 cloves garlic, minced

Directions

In a cast iron skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium high heat. Add asparagus.  Sauté the asparagus until it is golden brown. This takes about 3 to 5 minutes.

Add garlic.  Sauté for about 1 minute.

Lower the heat to low.  Cover and cook the asparagus until it is tender, about 5 to 10 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper to taste

 Serve and enjoy.

Notes

You can leave the asparagus in long spears, or cut into 1 to 3 inch pieces.

Crispy, Spicy Chicken Thighs

 A simple, yet easy recipe for chicken thighs. Homemade seasoning sprinkled over the top brings out the flavor, and the meat is tender and juicy when it comes out of the oven.

Ingredients

6 to 8 chicken thighs
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a baking sheet with cooking oil.

In a bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, paprika and cayenne pepper. Mix the seasoning well. 

Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken thighs. 

Sprinkle the seasoning over both sides of the chicken. You can use as much or as little of the seasoning as you like. If you have extra seasoning, you can store it in a sealable bag or a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Place the chicken thighs on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165° when tested with a meat thermometer.  If the juices run clear, and the meat is not pink at the bone, then the chicken is fully cooked.

Barbecue Sauce

Making your own barbecue sauce is so easy to do. The prices of bottled barbecue sauce have skyrocketed.  This recipe has spices to bring out the flavor that will compliment any type of meat that you serve it on. We use this recipe on pork, ribs, beef, or chicken.

Ingredients

2 c. ketchup
2 c. tomato sauce
1 1/4 c. brown sugar
1 1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 c. molasses
4 tsp. liquid smoke
2 Tbs. butter
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. celery seed
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. chili powder

Directions

In a sauce pan, add, ketchup, tomato sauce, red wine vinegar, molasses, liquid smoke, butter, paprika, salt pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, celery seed, cinnamon, and chili powder.  Mix until the sauce is smooth and thoroughly combined. 

Turn the stove on medium high heat and bring the sauce to a bubble. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until thickened.

Lemon Blueberry Quick Bread

If you like lemon flavor and blueberries, you will love this quick bread. It will give you a burst of springtime flavor. This quick bread does not take long to make and everything mixes in one bowl.

Ingredients

1/3. c. butter
1 c. sugar
3 Tbs. lemon juice
1/2 c. milk
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. blueberries, fresh or frozen
1/2 c. nuts, (optional)
2 Tbs. lemon zest

Glaze

2 Tbs. lemon juice
1/4 c. sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan.

In a bowl, combine butter, sugar, lemon juice, milk, eggs and vanilla.  Beat well until smooth and creamy.

Add baking powder, salt and flour. Mix only until combined.

Gently fold in the blueberries and lemon zest. 

Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf pan. 

Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan and placing the bread on a wire rack.

While the bread is still warm, prepare the glaze.

In a small bowl, combine lemon juice and sugar together.  Drizzle the glaze over the warm bread. Allow the bread to cool completely before cutting and serving.

Pasta Skillet Philly Cheesesteak

 

This is a one skillet meal that is quick and easy and packed with healthy vegetables, ground beef, cheese and pasta.  It is quick and easy to make and so much better than the boxed hamburger meals that you can buy.

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, sliced into half circles
1 tsp. salt, divided
1 sweet bell pepper, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
8 oz. uncooked pasta, (rotini, shells, elbow, etc.)
2 (14.5 oz.) cans beef broth
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 c. shredded cheese, cheddar, provolone
1 1/2 c. shredded pepper jack cheese

Directions

In a large cast iron skillet, over medium high heat, add the ground beef. Cook, and stir, breaking up the ground beef into small pieces.  Add the onions, bell pepper and garlic. Stirring frequently, cook until the ground beef is done, and the vegetables are tender.

Stir in the beef stock and add the pasta into the skillet. Season with salt and pepper as desired.  Bring to a boil.  Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes or until the pasta is tender. 

Mix in half of the cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese.  Stir until the cheese melts. 

Sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top and cover with a lid for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted. 

Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Try adding some mushrooms if you like mushrooms.

Use a variety of cheeses for flavor.

If you like spicy foods, cut up a hot pepper or two and add that when you add the onions, and bell pepper.