So you are just dying for a gourmet brownie but really don’t want to spare the expense? You can take an ordinary box of brownie mix and make it look and taste as if you bought it at a Gourmet Restaurant.

1 Box Fudge Brownie Mix
6 oz bag mini chocolate chips
2/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 can chocolate frosting

Cut open and pour brownie mix into a large mixing bowl. Add pecans and chips to the mix first and mix it together. This will keep the pecans and chips from sinking to the bottom when cooking. Add water, oil and eggs as per directions on the box. Mix until just combined. Do not beat or over-mix. Poor into a 13×9, 9×9 or 7×11 inch pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes — depending on the size of your pan. Do not overbake. Remove from over and let cool completely before cutting.

Next, cut brownie into squares and place on a saucer. Spread a little frosting on top of each and top with a few chopped nuts.

More Ideas:

–Try adding a dollop of cool whip and a few sliced strawberries on top instead of frosting.
–Or you can try a scoop of your favorite ice cream on top.
–For a more elegant look if you are entertaining, place a doily on your plate then place the brownie on top.

It’s only just turned July and the temperature is steady rising but you can cool down with one of these yummy Icy cool Snack ideas.

Root beer Floats — Yum! As a kid we made these often during the summer. All you do is add a couple of scoops of Vanilla Ice Cream to a tall glass then fill it up with root beer. Add a straw or a long dessert spoon and you are good to go!

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwich — It is so easy to make your own ice cream sandwiches. Just take two large soft cookies (chocolate, chocolate chip etc…) and add a big scoop of your favorite flavored ice cream on one cookie and top it off with another! Oh So good!

Flavored Ice — Here’s a cool treat for the kids. It’s so easy even they can make it. All you need is to make a Pitcher of Flavored drink mix like, cherry, lemonade or tropical punch. Poor into Ice Cube trays and freeze. These are great added to flavored drinks without watering it down with regular ice. You can also serve them before they are completely frozen as a cold slushy eaten with a spoon.

Ice Cream Shake — Add two scoops of Ice Cream (any flavor) 1/4 cup milk or half and half and a 1/2 to 1 cup of ice in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve in a tall glass with a straw. Note: Try putting some strawberries or bananas in the blender with the Ice Cream!

Snow Cones — One of the greatest summertime treats ever! You can buy the flavorings for snow cones at your local Super Market. They even sell snow cone makers in most super stores. They are inexpensive and so much fun to use especially for a Pool Party or even a Child’s Party.

Sunbeam #IS400 White Snow Cone Maker

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Banana Bread is a great snack for anytime of day. You can eat it for Breakfast, Brunch or with afternoon Tea or Coffee. This Bread is so easy to make too. You don’t even need a mixer or bread maker. Just follow the recipe below. It makes one loaf.

1 1/2 Cups Sugar
1 Stick Butter (softened)
1 3/4 Cups Flour
1 Cup Ripe Bananas, mashed (2-3 bananas)
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup Buttermilk*
1 tsp Soda
1 tsp Vanilla
1 cup Chopped Pecans or Walnuts

Cream sugar and butter. Add eggs, vanilla and buttermilk and mix. Sift together flour and soda and add to wet mixture in 3 parts stirring just until mixed. Add bananas and nuts then mix until incorporated. Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 1/2 hours.

* - You can substitute 2 teaspoons of Vinegar in 1/2 cup of Milk for Buttermilk.

1 to 2 Pounds Chicken (breasts, tenderloin, or thighs)
1/2 cup Shredded Parmesan
2/3 cup chopped Green Onions
1 cup Italian Bread Crumbs
1 lemon or concentrated lemon juice
Italian Dressing
Olive Oil

Marinate chicken in Italian Dressing for 15 minutes in the Refrigerator. Season with Salt and Pepper. Coat each piece in about half of the Bread Crumbs and Bake for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, mix remaining bread crumbs with cheese and green onions. Remove Chicken from oven and top each with the crumb, cheese and onion mixture. Drizzle with a little olive oil and juice of lemon. Bake in oven again approximately 20 more minutes or until meat is cooked through.

Serve with a light tomato and Cucumber Salad or your favorite vegetables.

Here are some tips for cooking and baking up your Easter Holiday Dinner.

The En tree -

Barbecue Brisket - Marinate a trimmed Brisket in Italian or Balsamic Dressing and slow cook it on the Grill. All you need to do is wrap the Brisket in Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil and cover it with the Dressing and Seasonings and marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight in the Refrigerator. Then place the entire foil wrapped Brisket on the Barbecue Pit for approximately 3 or 4 hours until cooked.

Desserts -

Desserts are usually the easy and fun part. This Easter I am going to bake up some Cupcakes from a store bought mix and fill the center with a creamy filling and top it off with icing and Easter themed Sprinkles that I bought at the store. For the filling I was thinking about some strawberries blended with some whipped white icing in a can. All you need to do then is pipe it in the cupcake using an icing bag then frosting the top of the cupcakes with a white or chocolate frosting. There are so many things you can do with cupcakes. Just experiment and have fun with it.

Here’s wishing Everyone a Happy Easter!