Banana Bread

I got this recipe from one of my mom's best friends, Paula Martin.

1/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
3 mashed bananas

Cream together shortening, sugar and eggs.  Add flour, baking soda and bananas.  Bake for 1 hour at 325F.

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Robert and I were engaged on St. Patrick's Day in 1994.  The next year, as newlyweds for 8 months, we were invited to a Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner with some of Robert's work friends.  We thought it was a fun way to celebrate our engagement day, so we have had Corned Beef and Cabbage on March 17th ever since.  Over the years, I have discovered that corned beef turns out way better in the crockpot.  This is my favorite recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, cut into wedges
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1 pound baby carrots
• 3 cups water
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 (3 pound) corned beef brisket with spice packet, cut in half
• 1 small head cabbage, cut into wedges

Directions

1. Place the onion, potatoes and carrots in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Combine water, garlic, bay leaf, sugar, vinegar, pepper and contents of spice packet; pour over vegetables. Top with brisket and cabbage. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaf before serving.

About 10 years ago, we discovered this recipe for mustard glaze in the Better Homes and Gardens American Heritage Cookbook.  Now we can't have our corned beef without it.

Mustard Glaze:

In a medium saucepan combine 2/3 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup prepared mustard and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.  Bring to boiling, stirring till sugar dissolves.  Cook uncovered, for 5 minutes.  If necessary, beat glaze smooth with a wire whisk or rotary beater.  Makes about 1 cup.

Coleslaw Chicken Salad

3 oz. canned chicken
1 T Miracle Whip
1 T plain yogurt or sour cream
1/4 apple, diced
1 cup coleslaw mic
onion (optional)

In a large bowl mix coleslaw, onions, apples, chicken, Miracle Whip and sour cream.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Refrigerate until ready to eat.  Serve in pitas.

Cowboy Salsa

From the kitchen of:  Denise Smith

1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
1/4 cup green onion, sliced
1 T cilantro, snipped
1 clove garlic, pressed
1 can black-eyed peas
1 can black beans
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 can shoe peg corn
1/3 cup Italian dressing

Mix all ingredients and chill 1-2 hours.

Curry Chicken

1/2 cup honey
1/4 mustard
1/4 cup butter
1/2 tsp curry
1 tsp salt
2-3 chicken breasts, cut up

Mix first 5 ingredients in a saucepan until honey and butter are melted.  Pour over chicken pieces and bake at 350F for 45 minutes.  Can also cook in crock pot on high 3-4 hours.  Serve over rice.  *I like to double the sauce ingredients.