Campfire Banana Boats from Pioneer Woman

8 bananas

1 bag caramel bits or caramels cut into bits (note bite-sized did not melt well)
1 bag chocolate chips
1 bag mini marshmallows (do not use large)
1 package original graham crackers, crushed into crumbs (make sure you use crumbs, I didn't and I regret it)

 1. Split the bananas lengthwise, but don't cut all the way through. The goal is to create a boat to hold the ingredients.

 2. Load the bananas 1/4 cup each of the caramel bits, chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. Crumble 1 whole graham cracker onto each loaded banana.

3. Wrap individually in 8-by-10-inch squares of foil, and then place near the campfire to melt the candies. Open up and eat with a spoon.

In my opinion: These were pretty good, but after awhile, the warmth of the banana seemed gooey and distasteful to me. It was fun to try!


Repeated directions for printing ease.
1. Split the bananas lengthwise, but don't cut all the way through. The goal is to create a boat to hold the ingredients.
2. Load the bananas 1/4 cup each of the caramel bits, chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. Crumble 1 whole graham cracker onto each loaded banana.
3. Wrap individually in 8-by-10-inch squares of foil, and then place near the campfire to melt the candies. Open up and eat with a spoon.

Paula Deen's Cream Biscuits

The first time I have ever made biscuits!

2 cups self-rising flour, plus more for dusting
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
Directions

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, and cream until the dough forms a ball. Turn the dough out onto a surface dusted with additional flour. Fold the dough in 1/2 and knead 5 to 7 times, adding just enough flour to keep dough from sticking to your hands. Gently roll out dough to 1/2-inch thickness.
3. Using a 3-inch biscuit cutter coated with flour, cut dough into biscuits. Place on baking sheet coated with cooking spray, leaving at least 1-inch between each biscuit.
4. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

In my opinion: These were so very simple to make, I just can't believe I hadn't tried to make biscuits sooner.

Served with mashed potatoes, my fried chicken, and sweet corn.

Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese

I found this recipe on Pinterest

16 oz. dried pasta
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 package of bacon
1-2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
3 c. milk, any fat content
1 pkg. Italian blend shredded cheese; divided
1 c. Monterey Jack shredded cheese or Colby-Jack blend, divided
1 tsp. onion powder *
1 tsp. garlic powder *
1 tsp. dill *
1 tsp. salt *
pepper, to taste

*I used 2 T Ranch seasoning

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
2. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, until crisp.  Remove bacon from pan, leaving some drippings in the pan.  Drain bacon on a paper towel.  Add chicken to drippings, increase heat to medium-high and saute until no longer pink.  Set aside.
3. Melt butter in the same pot you made the pasta in.  Whisk in flour.  Cook and stir 2 minutes.  Add milk to saucepan.  Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.  Boil for 2 minutes. 
4. Stir in most of the cheese.  (Reserve a handful of each cheese blend to sprinkle on top of casserole.)  Add spices and chicken and stir to combine.
5. Spray 9×13″ baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Transfer pasta to baking pan.  Sprinkle with crumbled bacon and reserved cheeses.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes, until thoroughly heated.
In my opinion: This was good and I think I'll make it again one day, but not with 4 little ones who need my attention. This requires many steps and dirties many dishes.

Bacon Chicken Ranch Pizza

recipe from onecrazycookie.blogspot.com found on Pinterest

1 recipe pizza dough (I used a can of Pillsbury)
2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
7-8 slices cooked bacon, broken into pieces
1/4 cup onions, diced
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Pizza Sauce
1/2 cup ranch dressing (I used Ranch and sour cream dip)
1 Tablespoons butter
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Roll out pizza dough into a cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven.
 Meanwhile prepare sauce:
Melt butter in a sauce pan. Add the heavy cream and bring to a boil. Cook until volume is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese.
*Optional: Add 1 tablespoon minced garlic to the butter and saute for a minute.
3. Spread sauce over the pizza.
4. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the sauce then add chicken, bacon and onions.
5. Drizzle the ranch on top.  Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese and bake for 15- 20 minutes or until crust appears done.

I started the recipe before realizing I had no Ranch salad dressing, but I did have Ranch dip so I spread this on the crust. Then I sprinkled some mozzarella and added the chicken, bacon, and onions. I drizzled the sauce over and topped with the rest of the mozzarella.

In my opinion: This was a delicious pizza. You could add fresh mushrooms or even artichokes. Yum yum!!