Bacon Wrapped Cream Cheese Jalapeno Bites

One of Ben's favorite appetizers.
Original Recipe Source
makes 24

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay
• Pinch of Salt
• 12 Jalapenos, halved & seeded
• 24 – six inch pieces of bacon, uncooked

Preheat oven to 350F.

Combine cream cheese and spices in small bowl.  Spoon mixture into each pepper half, until level.  Wrap each in bacon, and place on baking sheet.  Bake for 40-45 minutes.  Remove and enjoy!

Mary's Lazy No Banana Muffin Recipe

2 cups unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs
2 T honey
1/2 cup whole milk plain yogurt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1 cup old fashioned oatmeal

Combine applesauce, eggs, honey, yogurt. Add whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.  Stir until dry ingredients are moistened.  Add chocolate chips and oatmeal and finish mixing.

Bake at 350degrees for 22 minutes.  I was able to make 22 muffins in the silicon baking cups.

Next time I am going to use raisins and add more cinnamon for the raisin batch.

Sarah's Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

recipe made 22 muffins using 12 silicone muffin liners and 10 paper muffin liners

3 mashed bananas

2 eggs

2 Tbl to 1/4 honey  (depending on how much sweetness you prefer)

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 tsp. vanilla

1-3/4 cups whole wheat flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1 cup old fashioned oatmeal

Mash bananas using mixer.  Add eggs through vanilla and mix ingredients thoroughly.  Add whole wheat flour through cinnamon and mix until just moistened.  Add chocolate chips and oatmeal and mix until just incorporated.  Bake at 350* for 20-22 minutes.

Grilled Peach Salsa

This was taken from USA Weekend from the Newspaper, from Ellie Krieger's cookbook.

2 firm, ripe yellow peaches or nectarines
1/2 small red onion, finely diced
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
2 Tbs. Fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Freshly ground black pepper

Preheat a grill over medium high heat. Oil the grill's surface.

Cut each peach in half and remove pits. Place the peaches cut side down on the grill and cook until peaches soften slightly and grill marks are formed, about 3 minutes allow. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then chop.

In a medium bowl, toss to combine peaches, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Set aside at room temperature.

This is good with chips or wheat thin type crackers. I also served the salsa over grilled chicken and pasta.

Caramel Apple Dip

I know that there are a lot of variations for this recipe and this version is really, really basic.  We love it in our house and the simple-ness of it makes it a quick go-to for making a special snack.  I have never, ever been known to just lick the spoon and eat it without apples.  :)

Caramel Apple Dip
8 oz. cream cheese (low fat or fat free work fine in this recipe, too)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 t. vanilla

Mix ingredients together and enjoy with apples!