Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter together and mix well. Pat into a lightly greased glass 13 by 9-inch baking pan. Prepare the filling.

Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla. Add the peanut butter; beat. Add the banana and butter and mix well. Add the powdered sugar and mix well. Spread over the cake mixture. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. You want the center to be a little gooey, so do not over bake. Top each cake slice with a mint leaf and dollop of whipped cream

This is from Paula Dean on the food network, BRB with meatloaf.

she admits she is on *pain medications due to back problems* but it's ridiculous while she is on American Idol...she becomes sloppy, falls all over either Simon or Randy and then gushes over ALL the contestants.....I *heard* that when her contract is over, they are thinking of asking Cher to take Paula's place, and that would be so refreshing. 

Personally, I am more sick of Paula Abdul on this show than Simon Cowell. 

NORMAN POTATO SALAD WITH APPLES

The sweet crispiness of the apples and the tang of vinegar give this potato salad a special lift. It's named after Normandy, famous for its apples and for its apple brandy, Calvados.

2 pounds yellow-fleshed potatoes such as Yukon Gold
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 Granny Smith apples
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup apple juice
1/2 cup well-chilled heavy cream
1/2cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh flat-leafed parsley leaves
1 teaspoon Calvados (French apple brandy; optional) freshly ground black pepper to taste

In a 3-quart kettle cover potatoes with cold salted water by 2 inches and simmer until potatoes are tender but resist when pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes. Drain potatoes in a colander. When potatoes are just cool enough to handle, peel and cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. While potatoes are still warm, layer one third in a large serving dish or bowl and drizzle with 1 tablespoon vinegar. Season potatoes with salt and pepper. Continue layering in same manner with remaining potatoes and vinegar, seasoning with salt and pepper. Peel, quarter, and core apples. Cut quarters crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick pieces and in a bowl toss with lemon juice. In a small saucepan simmer apple juice until reduced to about 3 tablespoons. In a bowl beat cream until it just holds soft peaks and gently but thoroughly fold in reduced apple juice, mayonnaise, parsley, Calvados, and pepper. Season sauce with salt and gently toss together with potatoes and apples.

Serves 6 as a side dish.

This is a recipe for chicken tetrazzini which sounds similar.

8 oz cooked/drained spaghetti, cooked chicken cut up, 1-3/4 C grated cheddar cheese - divided, 4 tbsp. Parmesan cheese, 2 oz jar of diced pimento, 1 small onion, minced, 1 can cr. of mushroom soup, 1/2 C chicken broth, salt and pepper to taste

Combine 1-1/2 C cheese, 2 tbsp. Parmesan and all other ingredients with spaghetti.  Place in greased casserole dish and sprinklewith remaining cheese.  Bake 350 for 45 mins.

You can use turkey or chicken for this. 

I have cut out potatoes, rice, breads, ice cream, etc. for almost 2 weeks and have lost 4 pounds.  I did South Beach a couple years ago but it takes too much preparation and planning, although I did lose 20 pounds without excercising.  You may want to try the South Beach Diet Cookbook.

I hated to exercise but now I've joined the Y - and really liking it.  I try to go everyday to a beginning exercise class and/or Pilates.  If I don't make the class, I try to do 30 minutes on the treadmill.

I have put off doing this for many, many years and can't believe how much better I feel.  It's alot easier to put on weight then take off, but I refuse to get discouraged.  I have lost alot of strength around my waist and lower back (pouchy tummy), but Pilates is helping that.  I work at my own pace which the instructor encourages us all to do.

Chicken Broccoli Braid

12 oz. cooked chicken, chopped (2 cups - about
3 cooked boneless skinless chicken breast halves)
1 C. broccoli, chopped
1/2 C. red bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, pressed
4 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)
1/2 C. mayonnaise
2 tsp. All-purpose Dill Mix (or 1 teaspoon dillweed)
1/4 tsp. salt
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) refrigerated crescent rolls
1 egg white, lightly beaten
2 T. slivered almonds

Preheat oven to 375ºF.

Chop chicken and broccoli and place in bowl. Add chopped red bell pepper. Press garlic over mixture and shred cheese over mixture. Add mayonnaise, dill mix and salt. Mix well.

Unroll package of crescent rolls. Do not separate. Arrange longest sides of dough across width of 12 x 15-inch pan and repeat with remaining package of dough. Roll out dough to seal perforations. On long side of pan, cut dough into strips 1 1/2 inches apart, 3 inches deep leaving approximately 6 inches in the center of dough for filling. Spread filling evenly over middle of dough.

To braid: lift strips of dough across mixture to meet in center, twisting each strip one turn. Continue alternating strips to form braid. Tuck ends under to seal at ends. Brush egg white over dough and sprinkle with almonds. Baked 25-28 minutes or until deep golden brown. 

Butter, parmesian cheese (type you put on sgetti), onion salt, garlic powder, and Crispix.

Melt the butter, sprinkle in the cheese, onion salt, garlic powder, poor in cereal.  Put lid on and shake.

Teenagers LOVE this stuff!!

Chicken with 40 Cloves Garlic

Ingredients:
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 sprigs fresh sage
2 springs fresh Italian parsley
40 cloves garlic, unpeeled
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
4 lb whole chicken
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 loaf French bread,sliced

Directions:
Place 1 sprig thyme, rosemary, sage and parsley in chicken cavity. Place celery in stoneware. Put chicken on top of celery. Add garlic around chicken. Chop remaining herbs sprinkle herbs, salt and pepper over chicken. Cover cook on Low 8 - 10 hours or on High 4 - 6 hours. To serve, place chicken, garlic and celery on serving platter. Squeeze roasted garlic out of skins onto toasted French bread slices and spread with knife.

This recipe is from www.crock-pot.com

I make this recipe several times per month.  It's so easy and tastes amazing!  I serve it with wild rice. 

Go to allrecipes.com and search "Baked Salmon II (roman numerals).  By the way, allrecipes.com is a great site!

This is the famous labor-inducing eggplant recipe that I tried a few months ago.  (It didn't work.)  It is EXCELLENT.  It makes enough servings to feed an army and freezes very well.

Ingredients