Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins

This isn't dinner... but a yummy treat! Or healthy enough to go with breakfast! :) I like to make mini-muffins and use mini chocolate chips instead of regular ones.

2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
1-3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1-3/4 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1-1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 egg whites
1 egg
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
1-3/4 cups fat-free milk
2 TBLS canola oil
1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1-1/4 cups chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine the flours, brown sugar, cocoa, salt, baking powder and baking soda. In another bowl whisk the egg whites, egg, applesauce, milk, oil, and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips.

Coat muffin cups with cooking spray. Fill 3/4 full with batter. Bake for 18-20 minutes at 350 degrees or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans.

Parmesan Meatballs

Makila originally gave me this recipe. She discovered it on the back of a grated Parmesan cheese bottle.

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped, fresh parsley
1 egg
1 clove garlic, minced

Preheat oven to 375*. Mix meat, cheese, parsley, egg, and garlic. Shape into 12 meatballs. Place in a slightly greased pan. Bake 25 minutes or until cooked through. Makes 6 servings, 2 meatballs each.

This recipe is so easy to adapt to what you have in your cupboards! I never use fresh parsley, I use 4 t. of dried parsley flakes. Makila has used Italian seasoning and garlic powder instead of parsley and minced garlic. I typically use shredded Romano cheese instead of Parmesan. Find what works best for your family and make them that way!

Making more than 12 meatballs decreases the cooking time a bit because the meatballs are smaller. These are easy to freeze by placing on a cookie sheet or putting in a mini muffin tin. Put into freezer baggie once completely frozen.

Poppyseed Chicken

1 cup sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 T poppyseed
1 t dill weed
4 cups cooked, diced chicken
3 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
1-1/2 c. butter flavored cracker crumbs (I usually use 1 tube of wheat saltines)
1/2 c. butter, melted

In a large bowl, combine sour cream, soup, poppyseed, & dill. Mix well & stir in chicken and rice. Spread into greased 9x13 pan. Combine crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle over casserole. Bake uncovered at 350* for 30 minutes.

If using brown rice, it will have less of a salty flavor than if using white rice. Season according to your taste. I do cook my brown rice with chicken bouillon cubes to give it more flavor.

Blondies (aka Blonde Brownies)

1/2 c. margarine
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp vanilla
chocolate chips

Melt butter, stir in everything but chocolate chips. Spread in greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips...you decide how much. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

You can double this recipe for a thick brownie. Put doubled recipe in greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees, check it after 35 minutes or so and then keep checking it so it doesn't get over done.

Ham and Potato Casserole

2lbs. frozen hashbrowns, thawed
1/2 c. butter, melted (you can use less)
2 c. cubed, cooked ham
1/3 c. chopped green onion (I never put this in but use onion powder or dry minced onion)
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 c. (16oz) sour cream
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Topping:
2 c. crushed corn flakes
1/4 c. melted butter

Combine all casserole ingredients and mix well. Place in 9x13 in. pan. Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle on casserole. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

This makes a very large batch for a 9x13 pan. You can easily split this into 2 8x8 or 9x9 pans and possibly even 3 depending on how full you fill the pans.

Makila's Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter (softened)
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
3 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups chocolate chips

Combine sugars. Add butter, vanilla & eggs. Add flour, baking soda & salt.

Stir in chocolate chips (yes, 3 cups...most recipes call for 2 cups)

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Best if under baked.

Applesauce Cake

1/2 c margarine

1 1/2 c sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 eggs

2 c flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 c applesauce

topping:

Chocolate chips (I just sprinkle until it looks like enough and then add a few more :)

4 T sugar

Mix all ingredients together. Pour into 9x13 greased pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and 4 T sugar.

Bake 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick/cake tester comes out clean.