Banana Bread

I think this one started out from Grandma Hill. Then it went to Grandmas Jabs.  Then Mom.  Then Peah got it.  I don't know if it changed at each stop or not, but I am pretty sure that it has had a couple of editions.

What you need:
1/2 C softened butter                         2 C Flour
1 C Sugar                                           1 tea Baking Soda
2 Eggs                                                1 tea Baking Powder
1/3 tea Salt                                        1 tea Vanilla
1/2 C Milk                                          1/2 C Sour Cream
1 C Mashed Bananas (I usually use three bananas)

*2 Loaf Baking Pans
**I like to freeze the bananas.  That way when you have some bananas that are ready to be banana bread, but you aren't ready to make banana bread... they can wait.  I take them out of the freezer when I take out the butter.  Make sure to put them on a plate.  They will 'sweat' a little bit and come out completely like mush.  Which is good.  But they do not look very good.

-Heat oven to 350 degrees
-In a medium sized mixing bowl cream together the butter, sugar, and eggs.
  -- Make sure that it is mixed completely

-Add in all the other ingredients except for the bananas and the flour.
-Add in the banana mush.  Mix.
-Add in the flour.  Mix.
-Spray the baking pans and add a little flour to them to help things from sticking.
-Divide the mixture between the two pans.  This helps to make things cook more evenly.  If you put it all on one pan you get crunchy outside and somewhat undone middle.  Some things are not good medium rare.

Bake the loafs in the oven for 40-60 minutes.  It varies depending on glass or metal pan, convection or regular oven, and if you are at altitude or not.  (if you live on the third floor of an apartment add 10 minutes)
Do the toothpick thing to make sure they are done.
-Turn on side on a rack to let it cool.
-I usually take them out of the pan as soon as I can.

You can add chocolate chips or nuts after you have everything else in the mix.  You can also just enjoy with some butter and a nice cold glass of milk.

Au Gratin Potatoes

These are really good cheesy potatoes.  They take a little bit of time, but they are worth it.

Ingredients:
3-4 Medium Potatoes                           1 Clove Garlic
1 1/4 C milk                                         1/2 tsp Salt
2 Tbs Butter                                         1/2 tsp Pepper
2 Tbs Flour                                           3/4 Cup Shredded Cheddar
This is for a baking dish about 8 x8

-Preheat the oven at 350 degrees

-Spray the dish with some non-stick spray

-Cut the potatoes kind of like thick potato chips.  You can leave the skins on them if you like.

-Arrange the potatoes in layers in the dish.  Only fill about half full.  Save the rest of the potatoes on the side.

-In a pan melt the butter.  

-Add in the garlic and let it cook just a little while.  Don't brown it.  

-Add in the flour and make sure that you mix it in very well.  

-Add in the Milk and get it warm.

-Add in the shredded cheese (you can use other cheeses to change it up)

-Stir over heat until the cheese is all melted.  

-Pour half of the cheese melt over the first half of the potatoes.

-Finish arranging the rest of the potatoes and top off with the rest of the mixture. 

-Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.  

-Remove the foil and cook for another 20 minutes uncovered.  

***If you make a larger batch of potatoes then you might have to cook it for a longer period of time.  

Let the spuds sit for a while after you take them out and enjoy!

Fish Marinade

I usually do this one with Ahi Tuna Steaks, but it could work with just about anything I think.

This is a nice sized steak.  This recipe is for a marinade for 2- 8 oz. steaks.

**You can get some decent types of fish at Sams Club for not too much money.  I have gotten Ahi Steaks, Salmon Steaks, and Tilapia from the frozen food section.  They thaw out pretty nice.  Would fresh be better?  Probably, but we live about as far away from an ocean as possible.  

1 Cup Soy Sauce

1 Clove crushed garlic

1/2 Cup Lemon Juice

4 Tbs Olive Oil (whatever kind you use)

Sea Salt and Pepper to Taste

Mix the marinade in a bowl and then pour it into a zip top bag.  Put the tuna into the bag and try to get out as much of the air as possible.  Put the baggy in a bowl or something to place it in the fridge.  Let it sit for 30 minutes. ***Make sure you don't do more than 30 Min.  The marinade will be overpowering if you leave it too long. ***

If you are cooking the steak on a grill make sure that the grill is as clean as you can get it.  After cleaning the grill wipe with oil so the steaks don't stick. 

Grill for 2 1/2 minutes or less per side for 1 inch steaks... depending on how you like them.  Steaks should be firm with red in the middle with a nice sear all around the edges when you cut into it. 

If you like your steaks a little more done... cook them for about 4 min per side.