Magnolia's Famous Banana Pudding

One 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 ¾ c. cold water
One 3.4 oz. package Jell-o Brand Vanilla Instant Pudding
3 c. heavy cream
One 12 oz. box Nilla Wafers (no substitutions)
4 c. sliced ripe bananas

In small bowl, on medium speed of an electric mixer, beat together the sweetened condensed milk and the water until well combined, one minute. Add the pudding mix and beat well, about 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight before continuing. It is very important to allow the proper amount of time for the pudding mixture to set.

In large bowl, on medium speed of an electric mixer, whipe the heavy cream till stiff peaks form. Gently fold the pudding mixture into the whipped cream until well blended and no streaks of pudding remain.

To assemble the dessert, select a large, wide bowl (preferably glass) with a 4-5 quart capacity. Arrange one -third of the wafers to cover the bottom of the bowl, overlapping if necessary, then one-third of the bananas and one-third of the pudding. Repeat the layering twice more, garnishing with additional wafers or wafer crumbs on the top layer of the pudding. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and allow to chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours-or up to 8 hours, but no longer !-before serving.

Flank Steak Salad

Marinade:
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp liquid smoke

Tenderize flank steak (or London Broil) with a fork. Put in plastic bag with marinade and let it marinate at least 2 hours to overnight.

Grill or broil flank steak. Slice on bias. Serve cold on top of salad.

Salad dressing:
1/4 cup sugar
2 TB green onion
1/2 cup oil
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dry mustard

Blend together. Mix salad greens with dressing. Go light on dressing so you don't make the greens too soggy.

Add whatever you like for color and taste. I used:
2 bags mixed salad greens
craisins
carrot shreds
slivered almonds
mozzarella cheese

Lay lettuce (mixed with dressing) on serving platter. Sprinkle other ingredients on top. Top with flank steak. Drizzle additional salad dressing on top, if you wish. Dig in and ENJOY!

Almond Poppy Seed Bread

I got this recipe from a gal I worked with in YW in our very first ward. Since it's our anniversary today, I thought I would do something retro! And it's really good!

1 pkg yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup oil
2 tsp almond extract
2 TB poppy seeds

Mix all together and pour into a well greased pan. The recipe says use 2 loaf pans, I have done one before. I have tried a bundt, but it always sticks...I think the cake is too light to work well as a bundt. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove from pan while hot and coat with glaze.

Glaze: 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup sugar
Combine in saucepan and bring to full boil. Boil for 2 minutes (be sure to watch it closely). Remove from heat and add 2 tsp almond extract. Pour over warm cake. I will make little slices with a knife in the bread so that the glaze can get inside and really get soaked up by the bread. Enjoy!

Bacon-wrapped Chestnuts

2 cans whole water chestnuts
1 lbs bacon - cut in thirds

Wrap one piece of bacon around one chestnut and insert toothpick to hold in place - repeat
Place on cookie sheet

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes
Drain grease

Pour sauce over chestnuts

Sauce:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 ketchup
1 TBS Soy sauce

Bake 10 minutes more - Enjoy!

Easy Crock Pot

I tried this recipe tonight and it was a hit! It also made enough to feed a small army, so we will be having it tomorrow night, too! Tonight I served it over rice. Tomorrow, I think we'll put it in soft tortillas. The best part is that it's an easy crockpot recipe!!
Ingredients
4-5 boneless chicken breasts
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can black beans
1 (15 ounce) can corn
1 (15 ounce) jar salsa, any kind
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
Directions
1. Take 4-5 frozen, yes, frozen, boneless chicken breasts put into crock pot.
2. add 1 can of black beans, drained, 1 jar of salsa, 1 can of corn drained.
3. Keep in crock pot on high for about 4-5 hours or until chicken is cooked.
4. Add 1 package of cream cheese (just throw it on top!) and let sit for about 1/2 hour.
5. All done and enjoy!
Jill