Sloppy Joes

This recipe comes from my Aunt B.

1 lb. ground beef

2 T. chopped onion

1/3 c. water

1/2 c. ketchup

2 t. paprika

1 t. Worcestershire sauce

1-2 t. chili powder

1/2 t. salt

1 t. sugar

1/4 t. pepper

Brown ground beef with onion; drain. Simmer with remaining ingredients for 20 minutes. Serve on buns.

(Untested) Delicious-looking recipe

I ought to have posted this when I discovered it over a month ago!

http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/thick-rich-hot-cocoa-recipe

Speedy Fruit Salad

1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced

1 lb seedless grapes, halved*

3 bananas, peeled and sliced

1 8-oz. container strawberry yogurt (or flavor of your choice)

*fresh blueberries may be substituted--my preference at least

Combine and serve. Serves 12

Spanish Rice

My mother's recipe. =)

Combine in saucepan:

3 c. water

2 c. brown rice, rinsed

2 T. chicken broth powder

Bring water to boiling; reduce to simmer and cook without removing the lid until rice is soft, at least 45 minutes.

Add:

1 8-oz. can tomato sauce

1/2 T. chili powder

1 t. garlic powder

Stir. Serve immediately, or keep warm stirring frequently to prevent scorching. This is delicious served with red beans as a side dish to chicken.

Strawberry Brownies

Although the flavor is not overtly strawberry, these brownies are moist and delicious.

1/2 c. flour

3/8 c. (6 T.) cocoa powder

1/4 t. baking powder

1/4 t. salt

1/2 c. butter

3/4 c. sugar

2 large eggs

1 t. vanilla extract

3/8 c. strawberry preserves

Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease an 8"-square pan. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. In a 1 1/2 qt. saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Remove from heat; stir in sugar with a wire whisk. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in preserves and vanilla, whisking until thoroughly combined. With a flat spoon, stir in flour mixture just until blended.

Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake until toothpick inserted 2 inches from edge comes out almost clean, 30-35 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack; cut into bars.

Simple Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Whew! The name takes longer to type than the cookies take to eat! =)

1 c. peanut butter, smooth or crunchy

1 large egg

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 pinch baking powder

1 c. miniature chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325° F. Mix all ingredients until blended. Drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes.

Yield: 1 1/2 dozen

Note: these cookies crumble easily.

Edited:

A few notes after baking these for the second time:

*I had to bake the cookies for about 16-18 minutes instead of 8-10. They were small, but I had made balls of dough. Perhaps they should be flattened before baking.

*A splash of vanilla increases the yumminess value of these cookies.

*Do not substitute honey for sugar. I tried this to see if the cookies held together better than usual. The result was far too soft, and I had to add flour--which defeats the purpose of flourless cookies. On the other hand, part honey and part sugar might be perfect.

P.S. It was not an accident that left the flour out of the ingredients list. These cookies are basically peanut butter and sugar, held together by egg! Delicious!