Toffee Bars

This is an easy and delicious recipe. If you love toffee (and who doesn't?), you will love these bars. I made them with graham crackers but you can also use saltines, matzoh or any other cracker that you like.

24 graham or saltine crackers
2 sticks sweet butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1 bag of milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
chopped walnuts

Take a large cookie sheet and line it with the crackers (touching each other).
Put aside. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Pour this mixture over the crackers and bake at 400 for about 9 minutes. Remove from oven and put the chocolate chips into the top. Sprinkle with the walnuts. Refrigerate until firm. You can cut this up into pieces and freeze for use at another time.

Spinach Artichoke Bites

If you love the combination of spinach & artichokes, this recipe is a winner. I found this in the cooking blog world and it did not disappoint! As an alternative, you can leave out the phyllo cups and serve the dip with tortilla chips. Either way, it is delish!

30 phyllo cups or bag of tortilla chips
1 package (8oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 box frozen chopped spinach, thawed & drained
4 oz. marinated artichokes, drained & chopped
1 cup shredded mozzerella cheese
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp. black pepper
dash salt
1 tsp. garlic powder

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly coat mini-muffin tin with cooking spray.
Mix cream cheese, spinach, artichokes, mozzerella cheese, mayo, & seasonings in a medium bowl. Line prepared tins with phyllo cups. Using a small spoon, fill each cup with the mixture to almost the top. (If you serve with chips instead, put mixture in a medium size oven proof dish). Bake for 10-12 minutes until the filling is hot and melty. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Sweet Onion Dip

This onion dip is fantastic. I also found this recipe in the cooking blog world. The onions came out a little burnt when I made it, so make sure you caramelize the onions on a very low heat.

1 large sweet onion, chopped (I used Vidallia)
olive oil
1 package (8oz.) cream cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded
dash garlic powder
kosher salt & black pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 400.
Pour olive oil in a large skillet, enough to cover the bottom. Add the onions and cook on a medium-high heat until edges golden, 5-10 minutes. Turn heat to medium-low and continue cooking until caramelized, stirring often (30-40 minutes). Turn heat to very low and add remaining ingredients, stirring to combine. Remove from heat when all cheese is melted. Put mixture in 1 1/2 qt. baking dish and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. Serve with crackers, pretzels, chips, or raw veggies.

Banana Bread

This version of banana bread is easy to make and delicious. The sour cream gives it a nice, moist flavor. It was taken from the "cookingthisandthat" blog. Enjoy!

1/2 cup shortening or vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
3 medium bananas, very ripe & mashed
3 tbsp. sour cream
1 tbsp. lemon juice
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350. Grease & flour loaf pan. Cream sugar & shorteneing in large bowl. Beat in eggs. Add bananas, sour cream, & lemon juice. Beat until mixed through. In a small separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, & salt. Add to banana mixture just until incorporated. Pour into loaf pan. Bake for about an hour or until toothpick comes out clean.

Shrimp Scampi

This is a lighter version adapted from The Italian-American Cookbook and only has 94 calories per serving.

Serves 4

2 teaspoons olive oil
28 large shrimp, peeled and deveined (about 1.5 pounds)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add shrimp, saute 1 minute.
3. Add garlic, saute 1 minute.
4. Stir in wine, salt and pepper, bring mixture to a boil.
5. Reduce heat to medium, cook 30 seconds.
6. Add parsley and lemon juice, toss well to coat.
7. Cook 1 minute or until shrimp are done.