Banana Spit Icebox Cake

If you're going to a BBQ or a potluck you defiantly want to bring this! It supper easy and it taste amazing!! Happy Summer Cooking!

Ingredients

• 1 carton (16 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
• 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained
• 24 whole graham crackers
• 2 medium bananas, sliced
• Toppings: chocolate syrup, halved fresh strawberries and additional banana slices

Directions

• In a large bowl, mix the whipped topping, sour cream and pudding mix until blended; fold in pineapple. Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; fill with pudding mixture.
• On a flat serving plate, arrange four crackers in a rectangle. Pipe about 1 cup pudding mixture over crackers; top with about 1/4 cup banana slices. Repeat layers five times. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Before serving, top with chocolate syrup, strawberries and banana slices. Yield: 10 servings.

Molasses-Glazed Baby Back Ribs

Every month I look forward to getting my Taste of Home Magazine in the mail.  It is one of the best Christmas presents my Mother-In-Law ever got me.  TOH has so many awesome recipes.  In our home, we love to try new recipes.  I rarely make the same thing twice, unless it is unbelievably, amazingly, delicious.  These ribs were just that.  I can guarantee I'll be making these again!

Prep: 20 min + overnight marinating

Grill: 70 min

yeild: 4 servings

Ingredients

4 1/2 lbs. pork baby back ribs

2 liters cola

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp garlic salt

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

BBQ Sauce

1/4 C. Honey

1/4 C. Ketchup

1/4 C Molasses

1 Tb course ground dijon mustard

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp salt

Directions

1. Place Ribs in a large resealable bag.  Pour in 2 liters of coke.  Seal and refrigerate over night. 
2. Drain and discard marinade.  Pat the ribs dry with paper towels.  Combine the seasonings; rub over ribs.
3. Prepare grill for indirect heat using disposable aluminum baking dishes.  Place them under the grill rack right above the flames. Place ribs on grill rack directly over drip pans. grill covered over medium heat for 1 hour, turning occasionally.
4. in a small bowl combine BBQ sauce ingredients.  Brush over ribs.  Grill for an additional 10-20 minutes or until browned, basting and turning occasionally.  

Banana and Cream Oatmeal

This is the best oatmeal I have ever had.  My husband doesn't love oatmeal but ate this without complaining.  (always a good sign right?!)

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 2 medium ripe bananas cut into coins
• 1/2 cup non-fat sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions 

1. In a large saucepan bring water and milk to a boil.
2. Add the oats and reduce heat to medium.  Cook for one minute stirring the whole time.
3. Remove from heat, add banana slices and condensed milk.  Stir to mix.  
4. Cover the saucepan with the lid and let set for 2-5 minutes, or until desired thickness is reached.
5. Serve warm, sprinkled with cinnamon, pecans or walnuts, and a splash of milk.  YUM!  

Baked Beans

These are the perfect side dish for BBQs.  They are sweet and savory, plus they contain bacon.  Lets face it... bacon makes everything better!

Ingredients

• 2 16 oz cans baked beans (I like the maple brown sugar ones best)
• 1/4 c. molasses
• 1/4 cup chopped sweet onion
• 4 Tb brown sugar
• 1 Tb prepared Dijon mustard
• 2 Tb ketchup
• 2-4 slices bacon cooked until crispy, then crumbled

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Combine all ingredients in a greased casserole dish.  (I like to line mine with tinfoil for easy clean up).  
3. Cover and bake for three hours or until thick.

Grandma's Apple Toffee Dip

This is the best dip EVER!!  I've brought it to a number of parties and everyone always raves about it.

Ingredients

• 3/4 C. white sugar
• 1/2 C. brown sugar
• 8 oz softened cream cheese
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 package of scores or heath toffee bits
• 6-9 granny smith apples, cored and chopped into wedges

Directions

1. Combine sugars and cream cheese in a medium mixing bow and mix on medium speed until well combined.
2. Pour in toffee and mix with a spoon until well combined.
3.  Cut apples and soak in lemon juice to prevent browning.

Easiest Salsa Ever

This is my mother-in-law's salsa recipe.  It is quick, easy, and most importantly, it is delicious.  With only seven ingredients, you cant go wrong....

Ingredients

• 1 6 oz can green chilies
• 5 green onions (cut off the tip of the white end and only use the first 2 inches or so of the green part)
• 2 large cans tomatoes, drained (I use Mexican stewed, but you can use diced or whatever)
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper
• 2 tsps salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• half bunch of fresh cilantro

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a  food processor and pulse until smooth.  Chill for at least an hour before serving.

Jalapeno Mac&Cheese

Have you ever been to Famous Dave's?  We love that place and visit it quite frequently.  One of my FAVORITE things there, besides the spicy sausage and ribs, is their jalapeno mac&cheese.  It's super cheesy, creamy, and has a little kick, but not so much that kids don't love it too.  Here is the recipe.

Ingredients

• 1/4 c. butter
• 3 jalapenos, seeds removed and diced
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 3 Tb flour
• 2 c. milk
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 12 oz dry macoroni
• 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese (I usually use the three cheese Mexican blend because its one I always have on hand)
• 3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil for macaroni.  
3. Melt butter in in a medium saucepan, add chopped garlic and jalapenos.  saute until semi-tender.
4. Add flour, pepper, salt, cumin, and cayenne pepper.  stir it all together.  
5. Slowly add milk and simmer 15-20 minutes.
6. Meanwhile add macaroni to boiling water along with a little oil to prevent sticking.
7. Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.
8. Add cheese to sauce and stir until melted.
9. Drain Macaroni when it reaches desired doneness.  Return to saucepan.  Add cheesy sauce to noodles and mix til combined.
10. Pour into buttered baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake until top is golden brown and bubbly.   

Enjoy!!