Triple Chocolate Surprise Brownies

Preheat oven to 350. Put ONE CUP BLACK BEANS, rinsed and drained, 2 TBSP LIGHT OLIVE OIL, 1/2 c THAWED AND SQUEEZED DRY FROZEN SPINACH, 1/4 C APPLESAUCE, 2 EGGS, 1 EGG YOLK, 3/4 C SUGAR, 3 TBSP UNSWEETENED COCOA POWDER and 1 1/2 TBSP INSTANT ESPRESSO POWDER (I use cocoa in place of this) in a food processor, pulse for one minute until smooth.

Microwave 3 OZ CHOPPED BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE (I use dark choc chips) and 2 TBSP BUTTER in a glass bowl, stirring every 30 seconds or until smooth. Cool for 5 minutes.

Add above chocolate mixture, 2 TSP PURE VANILLA EXTRACT, and 1/2 TSP SALT to processor. Pulse to blend.

Transfer to a bowl. Stir in 1/2 C FLOUR and 1/3 C (or more) DARK CHOC CHIPS. Pour into an oiled 9x13 inch pan. Can top with 1/3 C CHOPPED PECANS (I don't use). Bake 25-30 min. Cool for 15 min.

Recipe Shared by: Kimberly Levitan, Leawood, KS
Recipe Source: Melissa D'Arabian (Food Network)

I can't say these are "great" but my kids love them and I eat them too!

"The Whole Enchilada Chicken Soup"

3 c. fat free chicken broth (low sodium okay)
1 1/4 cups finely chopped celery
1/2 cup diced sweet yellow onion (I didn't have onion so I didn't use)
3 cups green enchilada sauce (2 small cans - I bought mild)
1 15oz can pure pumpkin
10 oz chopped or shredded cooked chicken (I used a rotis chick from the store)
1 cup frozen corn (or more)
I added cilantro - target has freeze dried herbs that last forever!
Optional - dash of hot sauce
Optional toppings: low fat shredded cheese, sour cream, crushed up chips (I used low fat)

In a large pot, bring broth to a slow boil. Add celery and onion and simmer for about 5 minutes.

Stir in enchilada sauce and pumpkin. After it returns to a boil, add chicken and corn and cilantro if using. Cook for 3-5 minutes.

Add hot sauce if using and toppings.

This really was so easy and so good!

Recipe Shared by: Kimberly Levitan, Leawood, KS
Recipe Source: Hungry Girl

Watermelon Pops

Puree 1/4-1/2 of a watermelon (seeds and all)
Strain it through a sieve over a bowl to get all the liquid out...it takes a few minutes, and you may have to stir it to get all the juice. Discard solids.
Squeeze one whole large lemon into the watermelon juice
Add sugar (optional) to taste...I added a tablespoon

Freeze into pops.

I'm thinking this would also be good with a lime! Completely FAT FREE...and watermelon is a natural diuretic!

Shared by: Bree Ginden, Stillwell, KS
Recipe Source: Yours Truly

BBQ Chicken Pizza

Boboli pizza crust
1/2 cup bbq sauce
1/4 cup marinara sauce
1 lb. shredded chicken
1 Tblsp. sesame oil
2 cups shredded mozz. cheese

**Brown chicken in sesame oil and 1 Tblsp. bbq sauce. Combine 1/2 cup bbq and 1/4 cup marinara sauces and spread all over crust. Sprinkle chicken on pizza. Sprinkle cheese all over top. Sometimes I add sliced provolone cut up all over the top - to replicate Waldo pizza cheese! :) Bake at 450 for 15 minutes and then let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

Shared by: Cari Rabroker, Prairie Village, KS
Recipe Source: too frazzled to remember

Oat Snack Mix

1/2 c butter or margarine
1/3 c honey
1/4 c packed brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
3 c. oat cereal (I used whatever was left in my pantry...Cheerios, heart to heart o's)
1 1/5 c (or more) old fashioned oats
1 c. chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 c. (or more) dried cranberries
1/2 c (or more) choc. covered raisins
anything else you can think of that might work....other nuts, dried fruit, etc

Melt butter in saucepan on stove. Add honey, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt and mix till sugar is dissolved. In lrg bowl mix together 3 cups oat cereal (any cereal would do actually). Pour butter mixture over and mix till all is coated. Bake in lrg 9x 11 or larger dish. 275 degrees. 45 min. Stir every 15 minutes or so. Allow to cool when done and continue to stir every so often while it is cooling. Add cranberries, raisins and nuts when cooled.

Recipe shared by: Kimberly Levitan, Leawood, KS
Recipe Source: too frazzled to remember

Glazed fall vegetables

makes 6 servings

2 sweet potatoes
1 medium baking potati
1 med acorn squash
3 carrots
1/3 c brown sugar
2 tbsp melted butter
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1. preheat oven to 425. Peel carrots, sweet potatoes and potatoes and cut into 1 inch cubes. Halve, peel, and seed squash and cut into cubes as well. Combine all in a lrg bowl
2. stir together brown sugar, syrup, vanilla and cinnamon. Pour over veggie mix. Toss well. Pour into lightly greased roasting pan
3. bake at 425 for 1 hr or until veggies are tender and lightly browned. Stir every 20 min or so. Season with salt to taste

I love this recipe bc it can easily be done without measuring anything. I often don't have potatoes or add in a little less or more of something I need to use up. It's yummy, good for a sweet tooth and kids love it too! I do mine on a foil lined cookie sheet bc it's easier cleanup

Shared by: Kimberly Levitan, Leawood, KS
Recipe Source: Southern Living magazine

Maple-Roasted Chicken With Sweet Potatoes

Serves 4

Ingredients
1 3 1/2- to 4-pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces
1 yellow onion, cut into 1-inch wedges
2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons maple syrup
6 sprigs fresh thyme

Directions
1. Heat oven to 400° F.
2. Rinse the chicken and pat it dry. Arrange the chicken, onion, and sweet potatoes in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Drizzle the oil over the chicken and vegetables and season with the salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Drizzle with the maple syrup and top with the sprigs of thyme.
3. Roast, stirring the vegetables once, until the chicken is cooked through, about 1 hour, 15 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Tip
The maple glaze can also be used with a whole chicken or Cornish game hens.
Nutritional Information
Calcium 59.39mg; Calories 625.18; Calories From Fat 49%; Carbohydrate 19g; Cholesterol 222.91mg; Fat 34.5g; Fiber 1.41g; Iron 3.98mg; Protein 56.66mg; Sat Fat 8.64g; Sodium 457.81mg

Shared by: Amy Hollander, Frisco, TX
Recipe Source: too frazzled to remember

Corn Casserole

½ cup margarine
15 oz. corn with liquid
15 oz. cream corn
8.5 oz jiffy cornbread mix
2 eggs slightly beaten
1 cup sour cream
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Melt margarine in 9x13. Add corn, cream corn and corn bread. Mix gently with a fork. Add eggs. Drop sour cream and fold gently. Sprinkle cheese on top. Bake for approximately 30 min. or until firm in the middle.

Shared by: Debbie Block, Leawood, KS
Recipe Source: Too frazzled to remember

Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients:
2 medium potatoes, baked and cooled
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
2 tablespoons sour cream
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon crumbled cooked bacon or bacon bits
1 green onion, sliced

Directions:
Peel potatoes and cut into 1/2-in. cubes; place half in a blender. Add broth; cover and process until smooth. Pour into a saucepan. Stir in sour cream, pepper and remaining potatoes. Cook over low heat until heated through (do not boil). Garnish with cheese, bacon and onion. Yield: 2 servings.

Recipe shared by: Adrienne Lasky, Plano TX

Recipe Source: too frazzled to remember

Scrambled Eggs and Rice

(Serves 4 kids ages 4 to 5)
7 Eggs
2 Cups Cooked Rice
3 TB Butter (I use Country Crock Churn Style)
1/2 t Cracked Pepper1 t
Salt

Beat the eggs thoroughly with salt and pepper. Melt the butter in anon-stick pan over medium high heat. Pour the egg mixture into the pan andlet cook for approximately 30 seconds or until it starts to bubble then stirwith spatula and repeat until 1/2 liquid and half coagulated. Add rice andbreak it up by scrambling with the eggs. Turn down heat to medium andcontinue to scramble until cooked to desired doneness.

Most kids will absolutely LOVE this recipe. I grew up on it and enjoy it tothis day! Yeah, I'm a frazzled dad, but I love to cook and I like to thinkI am pretty good at it. You can adjust the salt and pepper to your liking.

Shared by: Eric Smith, Shawnee, KS
Recipe Source: Family recipe

Apple Enchiladas

**Delicious and VERY easy**

10-12 flour tortillas
2 cans apple pie filling
Cinnamon
½ cup butter
½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 cup water

Fill each tortilla with a good size scoop of apple pie filling. Sprinkle with cinnamon and roll up, placing into a 9 x 13 pan. Boil sugar, brown sugar, butter and water in a pan for 2-3 minutes. Pour over tortillas and allow to set on the counter for 25 minutes. Bake at 350* for another 25 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. Shared by: Sarah Ehlers, Kansas City, MO Recipe Source: too frazzled to remember

Monkey Muffins

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.) Mash 4 bananas.
3.) Put 2 cups of flour (I use whole wheat flour) and 1 tsp baking soda in a small bowl.
4.) Put ½ cup butter (softened) and 1 cup sugar in large bowl. Beat until creamy.
5.) Add 2 large eggs. Mix.
6.) Add bananas, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla. Mix well.
7.) Add flour mixture and ½ cup sour cream. Mix well.
8.) Fill muffin cups ½ full and bake for 15-18 minutes.

Shared by: Jennifer Wayer, Lenexa, KS
Recipe Source: A parenting Magazine

meatloaf

Ingredients

· 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
· 1 small yellow onion, chopped
· 1/2 cup bread crumbs
· 1 egg, beaten
· 1 cup grated Parmesan
· 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
· 1 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
· 1 7-ounce jar roasted red peppers, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
· kosher salt and pepper

Directions

· Heat oven to 400° F.
·
· Combine the turkey, onion, bread crumbs, egg, Parmesan, 2 tablespoons of the mustard, the parsley, red peppers, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl.
· Shape the meat into an 8-inch loaf and place in a baking dish. (See Tip, below.)
· Bake until no trace of pink remains (internal temperature should be 165° F), about 45 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 15 minutes before slicing.
· Quick Tip: A loaf pan isn't the best choice for meat loaf. Use a large pan with 1 1/2- to 2-inch sides, or a 7-by-11-inch baking dish instead.

Shared by: Amy Hollander, Frisco, TX
Recipe Source: too frazzled to remember

pork tenderloin

--2-5 lb pork tenderloin (the closer to 5, the more you can freeze) (but buy it on sale or at Costco/Sam’s)
--Regular A&W root beer
--Jack Daniels bbq sauce, “Hickory Brown Sugar”

Put the pork in the crock pot and add enough root beer to get to the top of the pork. Turn it on low and cook for 3-4 hours. Drain off the liquid, shred the pork (I wait until it cools off some, cutting it up a little to speed up the cooling process) and put the shredded pork back in the crock pot. Add some of the bbq sauce (to your liking). Stir and let it cook on low for 30 min or so.

Shared by Amy Hollander, Frisco, TX
Recipe source: too frazzled to remember

southwest chicken pie

1 10 oz pkg pillsbury refrig pie crust (there should be two in there)
about 10 oz cooked chicken breasts, more or less
1/2 cup uncooked instant rice
1 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
1 11oz can mexicorn drained
1 21/4 oz can sliced olives drained
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup sour cream
1 cup salsa
2 cups colby-jack cheese

1 egg beaten
1 tsp parsley

Prepare pie crust as directed on box for a 9 inch pie pan (don't cook, just set out to get to room temp then line bottom of pan with one crust). In large bowl combine all ingredients except egg and parsley. Mix well. Pour mixture into crust lined pan. Top with 2nd crust, flute, cuts slits in several places. Brush top of crust with beaten egg and sprinkle with parsley.

Bake 400 for 40-50 minutes. Cover edges of crust with foil after about 20 minutes. Serve with chips, guac, sour cream or whatever garnishments you wish
Shared by Kimberly Levitan, Leawood, KS
Recipe Source: my neighbor

Zucchini chocolate muffins

Clearly I am on a zucchini kick these days. I could have eaten this entire batch myself! But instead, I shared one or two...

Preheat oven to 325

2 1/2 c flour
4 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c milk
1/4 tsp white vinegar
1/2 c or 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/2 c vegetable oil
1 3/4 c granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 c peeled, finely grated zucchini
1 c (or more for chocolate lovers) semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 c chopped pecans, optional

Spray or line muffin tins (about 24). Preheat oven to 325

In medium bowl, blend flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.

Stir together milk and vinegar in small bowl and set aside

in large bowl, beat butter, oil and sugar on medium speed for 3 minutes or until light and fluffy

Add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined. Add milk mixture and beat well

on low speed, gradually add flour mixture and beat until just combined. Stir in zucchini and 1/2 the chocolate chips. Fill muffin tins about 2/3 full then sprinkle with remaining chips and nuts if you are using them

bake 20-28 minutes. Cool on wire wrack

recipe shared by: Kimberly Levitan, Leawood, KS
Recipe Source: Family Circle magazine

Zucchini Cheddar Bread

It's not often I can say that I make food that actually looks pretty. But this bread is truly something that was so yummy and pretty. I would serve it for company with a brunch or lunch. Wondering if it could be made as biscuits instead of a loaf...

Position rack in center of the oven. Preheat to 350. Grease 9x5 inch or 8 cup loaf pan.

Whisk together thoroughly in large bowl:
3 cups flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

Add and toss to separate and coat with flour mixture (above):
1 cup (or more) coarsely shredded zucchini
3/4 c (or more) sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/4 c scallions, chopped
3 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 Tbsp fresh dill

Whisk together in another bowl:
2 large eggs
1 c buttermilk
4 Tbsp (1/2 stick) melted butter

Add to flour mixture and mix with a few light strokes just until dry ingredients are moistened. Do not overmix- the batter should not be smooth and will look lumpy. Bake about 55-60 minutes. Let cool before taking out of pan

Next time I would add a bit more zucchini and cheese than called for but this was yummy!

Recipe shared by: Kimberly Levitan, Leawood, KS
Recipe source: Joy of cooking cookbook

Kool-Aid Play Dough

Play dough is always such a hit. Here's a recipe I use to make it from scratch using Kool-Aid!

2 ½ cups flour
1 cup salt
2 packages of unsweetened Kool-Aid
3 tbp. Vegetable oil
2 cups water

Mix all ingredients in large sauce pan on med-low heat. Continually stir until dough forms a ball. (This will take awhile). Remove play dough and place on wax paper. Knead dough for several minutes then store in zip-lock bag in fridge. *The Kool-Aid will naturally color the play dough, but if you want a more vibrant color add food coloring while mixing dough.

shared by: Megan Barron, Alexandria, VA
Recipe source: too frazzled to remember

Sneaky Smoothy

Take a handful of spinach leaves and put in blender. Add 1 C water and blend on high until no more remnants are left. Then add 1 banana and whatever frozen fruit you want. I use mango, strawberries, whatever! This will make enough for 2 smoothies.

Shared by Molly Reynolds, Lenexa, KS
Recipe Source: too frazzled to remember

Santa Fe Chicken Wraps

Wrap ingredients:
1 lb chicken, cooked and cubed
½ cup grape tomatoes, quartered
1 cup corn
1 cup chopped lettuce
1 can black beans
1 cup cheddar cheese (I use a cheddar/jack blend)

Sauce:
½ cup BBQ sauce (I use Jack Stack’s original)
½ cup ranch dressing (We love Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch)

Spoon ingredients onto a wrap, drizzle sauce over the top, and roll it up! Yummy warm or cold!

Recipe shared by Jennifer Wayer, Lenexa, KS
Recipe Source: Kraft