Monday, February 23, 2009

Aunt Phyllis’ Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Oatmeal Cookies

Prep: 30 minutes
Bake: 10-12 minutes
Oven: 375 degrees
Makes a gross of cookies, give or take a dozen

*Chef's note: You're going to need a big bowl for this. Like huge. If you're lucky enough to have a Bosch (covet covet covet), you'll need to use cookie paddles or switch the wire beaters out for a bread hook near the end. Yeah. It's that hardcore.*

2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups mashed ripe bananas (the kind that are a little mushy and almost completely brown)
3/4 cup margarine
3/4 cup butter
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking SODA
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 1/2 cups rolled oats (not quick oats)
2 cups chocolate chips (but more won’t hurt)
2 cups chopped nuts

Blend the vanilla, eggs, and bananas together until smooth but not foamy. Set aside.

Cream the butter and margarine together. Cream in sugar. Add dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Add the banana mixture and blend again. Add oats and mix well. Add chocolate and nuts last.

Drop by teaspoonfuls about 1 1/2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for about 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

These cookies can be baked right after they are mixed, but they’re better if you refrigerate the batter overnight. They are also very tasty when frozen. :) And you can eat about 4 in a row before you start feeling sick.

Best Meatloaf EVER

Just in case this is in violation of copyright or something... this is from The Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book.

Prep: 20 minutes
Bake: 70 minutes
oven: 350 degrees
stand: 10 minutes
Makes 8 servings

2 eggs, beaten
3/4 C milk
2/3 C fine dry bread crumbs or 2 cups soft bread crumbs (about 2 1/2 slices) *I prefer the dry seasoned crumbs*
1/4 C finely chopped onion
2 tbs snipped fresh parsley *I use about 2 tsp of the dried stuff and it works just fine*
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried leaf sage, basil, or oregano, crushed *I like using sage*
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef, ground lamb, or ground pork

Sauce:
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tbs packed brown sugar
1 tsp dry mustard
*I like to 1 1/2 the sauce (actually, Husband likes it when I 1 1/2 the sauce)*

1. In a medium bowl combine eggs and milk; stir in bread crumbs, onion, parsley, salt, sage, and pepper. Add ground meat; mix well. Lightly pat mixture into an 8x4x2-inch loaf pan.

2. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until internal temperatures 160 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Spoon off fat. In a small bowl combine ketchup, brown sugar and mustard; spread over meat. Bake for 10 minutes more. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting into 8 slices. (You can eat it right out of the oven, but don't hold me accountable.)

Enjoy!