Banana Cake

This cake is delicious and great for a large group. It stays moist for several days and is always a crowd favorite.

-Mom Pulsipher

1 ⅔ cup sugar
⅔ cup shortening
3 eggs
1 ¼ cup mashed banana (3 medium)
1 tsp. vanilla
⅔ cup buttermilk
2 ⅓ cup flour
1 ¼ tsp. baking powder
1 ¼ tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
⅔ cup finely chopped pecans

Frosting:
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, room temperature
6 Tbsp. butter, room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. heavy or whipping cream

ream sugar and shortening. Add eggs, banana and vanilla and mix well. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and add to mixture, alternating with buttermilk and ending with flour. Stir in pecans.

Pour into greased sheet pan. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until cake tests done. 325 for dark pan. Cool completely and frost with cream cheese frosting.

Carne Guisada

Delicious!

-Just a Pinch

1 green bell pepper

1 medium onion

3 large cloves of garlic

2 large tomatoes

3 lb boneless beef shoulder roast (or stew meat)

2 tsp ground cumin

1 Tbsp heaping tablespoon of lard (vegatable oil or olive oil can be substituted but will not give it the same flavor.)

1 Tbsp salt

1 tsp ground pepper

1/2 c water

1 Tbsp flour 

In a large stove top casserole pan add lard, (or oil), and turn heat to medium. Cut up shoulder roast to 1 inch cubes and add to pan. Roughly chop the tomato and add on top of meat.

Remove seeds from bell pepper, rough chop and add to top of ingredients.Roughly chop the onion and add to pan.

Chop garlic cloves small and thin and add to top of pan. Add cumin, salt and pepper. Stir well and cover with a lid. Cook on LOW for 2 ½ hours. 

Now you will notice that the vegetables have cooked down to practically nothing. They have converted to pure flavor! Stir flour into water and add mixture into pot and let simmer on low for the next 20-30 minutes.

Greek Meatballs

These meatballs are delicious and great served in homemade pita!
-House of Nash Eats

Meatballs
1/2 lb. ground beef
1/2 lb. ground lamb or pork
1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley
3 tablespoons grated onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
Zest of 1 lemon
1 egg
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
2 ounces crumbled feta cheese

Sandwiches
4-5 pita bread
2 Roma tomato, sliced
1/2 small red onion, sliced thin
Greek Tzatziki sauce

Meatball preparation
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients, gently using your hands to mix everything together until the meat is uniformly seasoned.
3. Divide the mixture in half, then in half again so you have 4 equal parts. From there, divide each portion of the meatball mixture into 5 meatballs so you end up with 20 equal-sized meatballs. Roll each meatball between your hands to shape it and then arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake in the preheated oven from 10-14 minutes, until they are nicely brown and cooked through.

Gyro assembly
1. To assemble gyros, warm the pitas on a grill or in the oven, just until soft.
2. Place a few slices of tomato and some of the red onions onto each pita bread, then top with 4 or 5 meatballs. Add a couple dollops of tzatziki sauce and serve with Greek feta fries.

Tater Tot Casserole

We enjoy this twist on traditional tater tot casserole. It is a simple recipe that is easy to prepare and good for busy weeknights. 

-Tamileetips.com

1 pound ground beef

1 small onion
Salt & Pepper
1 can Rotel, we use mild, but you could easily use a hotter variety
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
1 16 oz package frozen Tater Tots
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 425°. In a skillet, brown ground beef and chopped onion, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. 

Add Rotel and cream of chicken soup. Stir to combine. Transfer to 9x13 pan and top with Tater Tots. 

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until Tater Tots are browned. Sprinkle with cheese and return to oven until cheese has melted.