Sugar Dusted Mocha Brownies-For A Healthier Brownie

This recipe is light, yet fudgy. It has a touch of coffee and a dusting of powdered sugar on top for a decorative touch. Note that it is healthier than most brownies.

1/2 cup all-purpose flour ( I always use unbleached flour)

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (The dark chocolate cocoa is my favorite)

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

4 T. butter -1/4 cup

1 T. instant coffee crystals

1 cup sugar

Egg substitute equivalent to 2 eggs, or 2 eggs

1/4 cup prune baby food

2 t. vanilla extract

Vegetable oil spray (Preferably canola or olive oil spray)

2 T. powdered sugar

****Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder and baking powder. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt margarine. Add coffee crystals and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Using a wooden spoon, add sugar, egg substitute, prune baby food, and vanilla to coffee mixture. Stir until well combined. Fold cocoa mixture into sugar mixture mixture until well combined.

Spray an 8 x 8 x 2 inch pan. Spoon batter into baking pan.

Bake uncovered for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out almost clean ( It should have a few fudgy crumbs on it).

Cool brownies in the pan on a wire rack. Sift powdered sugar over brownies.

Decorative tip: For a decorative topping, place a lacy doily on top of brownies before sifting powdered sugar. Remove doily before cutting brownies. Notice the nuts on brownie top in photo. Makes for a good combination of monounsaturated fats. (Optional)

Spinach Salad with Pears, Pecans and Goat Cheese (From the kitchen of Debbie Edmondson)

Fresh Pears, either green or red make a great choice for this salad. If Strawberries are available, they work just as well. Try melons or apples. Pears are best in the fall. I use what is available. This recipe is from the Flat Belly Diet Cookbook from Prevention Magazine.

1/2 cup pecans

2 T. olive oil

1 T.+ 1 tsp. white wine vinegar

1 T. honey

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

3 T. chopped red onion

2 large red or green pears, quartered, cored and cut into thin slices

2 T. golden raisins ( Traditional dark raisins work well too)

1 bag (6 ounces) prewashed baby spinach

3 ounces reduced-fat goat cheese, crumbled

***************************************

1) Toast the pecans in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring often, for 3 to 4 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant. Tip onto plate and let cool.

2) Whisk the oil, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper in a salad bowl. Stir in the onion, then the pears and raisins. Add the spinach and toss to coat.

3) Divide the salad among 4 plates and top each with the reserved pecans and goat cheese before serving.

****************************************

Nutrition Per Serving-311 calories, 6 g protein, 33 g carbohydrates, 20 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 4 mg cholesterol, 437 mg sodium, 7 g fiber

This recipe makes a serving for 4. Pecans are the MUFA (monounsaturated fat).

Please Note: My sister, Pam Rowe, makes this often. She adds grilled chicken. Just watch the calories. Try to stay within the 400-500 calorie range. A great healthy choice for a summer meal. The meat addition should be no more than 3-4 oz. (About the size of a deck of cards)

Mama's Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream (Annelle Hendley)

Now this recipe brings back fond memories of cold bottoms and sore arms from churning. Oh but the efforts were well worth it. As my brother Clint might say," It's so good, it would make a rabbit slap a bear."

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

-Mix sugar and eggs together.

Add:

3 cans evaporated milk ( I think the cans are about 12 oz. each)

3 cans water

2 T. vanilla extract

-Mix all on slow speed of mixer.

Pour mixture into gallon ice cream churn. Secure lid. Fill outside of canister, between canister and churn, with layers of ice and ice cream salt according to manufacture's directions for churn. Today churns are electric, so this will save your bottoms from the cold and your arms from the soreness from churning. After ice cream completes its freezing, be sure to unplug churn, and cover canister, still in churn, with newspapers and foil. This will keep your ice cream cold until ready to enjoy. This ice cream consistency is very soft. You may freeze any leftovers in your freezer.

***You can add fresh peaches or strawberries to mixture before churning or just wait to serve on top. Oh yes, and when your head hurts from eating this delicious ice cream, have a glass of water nearby. This stops the pain immediately! Now why is that?

Coconut Pineapple Pie

Aunt Sally (Elizabeth Helms) is a wonderful cook and is still actively cooking at age 92. I found this recipe of hers that is delicious.

2- cups sugar

1- stick of butter or oleo(try Smart Balance Butter with Olive Oil)

3- eggs ( I always use Cage Free)

4- Tbsp. self-rising flour

20 oz. can crushed pineapple(Less sugar in its own juice)

1-can angel flaked coconut

1- cup pecans

1-tsp. vanilla extract

Cream sugar and butter. Add eggs, one at a time. Slowly add flour, pineapple, coconut, pecans and vanilla. Pour filling into a deep dish unbaked pie crust in a cold oven. Heat oven to 325 degrees for 1 hour.

Charles' Corn Bread-From recipe collection of Annelle Hendley

I hope everyone has enjoyed reading Barbara Ledbetter's recipes the past two weeks. My recipe today was named for Barbara's husband, Charles Ledbetter, I think. He must have had this cornbread at my Mom's house when he and Barbara visited in Albany, Georgia. She named it that. He either commented that he really liked it, or it very well could have been his personal recipe that he shared with her. Does anyone in the family know?

I- cup yellow corn meal

1/2 cup cooking oil or baking drippings(Healthiest choice - Canola Oil)

3- tsp. baking powder

2-eggs (Cage Free w/Omega 3)

1&1/2 tsp. salt

1-cup cream style corn

1-cup sour cream (Light Sour Cream)

*Mix above ingredients and bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Hamburger Noodle Bake

Barbara Ledbetter's twist on this one is a bit tasty and feeds a large group.

2- pounds ground beef ( lower fat choice of ground beef is much healthier)

1&1/2 cups chopped onion

8 oz. medium noodles cooked and drained (Try Whole Wheat Noodles, such as Penne-better health choice)

8 oz. sharp cheese (shredded yields 2 cups)

2- 10&3/4 oz. cans condensed tomato soup( Low sodium)

1- cup water

1/3 cup chopped green pepper

1/4 cup chili sauce( In ketchup section of store; purchase one with lower sodium and sugar)

2- Tbsp. chopped pimento

3/4 tsp. salt

Dash black pepper

1&1/2 cups soft bread crumbs

3 Tbsp. butter melted (Try Smart Balance butter blend with extra virgin olive oil) See image with previous Speedy Chicken Pie post.

***Cook beef and onion until beef is lightly browned and onion is tender. Drain fat, combine meat with drained noodles, cheese, soup, water, green peppers, chili sauce, pimento, salt, and a dash of pepper. Turn into a 13"x9"x 2" baking dish. Combine bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle on top. Bake in 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes until hot. Trim with green pepper rings if desired. Serves 12.

Barbara's Dump Congealed Salad

This salad would be great for a spring Sunday Lunch. How about Mother's Day? A great way to remember Barbara Ledbetter. By the way, Mark Ledbetter, Barbara's son, said this salad was renamed Mandarin Delight over the years that she served or prepared this dish for special occasions. Good to know!

Small can of mandarin oranges (In Light syrup)

Small carton sour cream (Light sour cream)

Small container cottage cheese ( Low Fat)

Small container cool whip (Light cool whip)

3 oz. pkg. orange jello (Use sugar free if available)

Mix above ingredients well and chill in refrigerator.

(Please note my suggestions using the lighter versions. If you start doing this in all of your recipes, it will save sugar and fat and may even ward off future health problems.)

Speedy Chicken Pie (Try Smart Balance w/Olive Oil)

Aunt Rubye was the pro at baking Chicken Pies for Family Reunions at Grandma Swearingen's home in Vienna, but Barbara Ledbetter's recipe takes less time.

Start with 2 cups of cut up chicken

3 hard boiled eggs( Cage Free- much healthier)

1 cup self rising flour

3/4 stick butter(Try the Smart Balance butter blend made with Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

1&1/2 cups frozen peas(small english peas work best)

1/8 tsp. pepper

1 cup milk ( Skim milk to save fat and sugar content)

2 cups broth(Low sodium Chicken broth)

1 T minced onion

**** Melt butter in 2 quart casserole dish. Combine flour and milk and pour over melted butter. Mix chicken, eggs, minced onion, pepper, broth and peas. Pour over batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes. Batter will rise to top to make the pie crust.

Rose Petal Rolls

Barbara Ledbetter had a winner with these. They are so delicious!

1-pkg. yeast

1/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup oil

1 egg

2 cups warm water

4 cups self rising flour

**Mix yeast with 2 Tbsp. warm water-Add remaining water, oil and egg. Stir in flour-Store in covered bowl in refrigerator until ready to bake.

Preheat oven @400 degrees. Meanwhile spoon batter into muffin tins half full. Bake for 10 minutes. I remember my mom keeping any remaining batter in a covered bowl, as you may only want to bake 6 at a time. She usually got two or three meals using this batter. I can taste them as I write this. They are so good, especially hot, right out of the oven.

Barbara Ledbetter's Copper Pennies

These are nice to have as cold hors d'oeuvres or as a hot vegetable.

2-1 lb. bags carrots, sliced into rounds- boiled in salted water, drained and cooled.

Add sauce:

3/4 cup vinegar

1- can tomato soup( I recommend low sodium tomato soup)

1/2 cup wesson oil (I recommend canola oil)

1- tsp. mustard

1- green pepper chopped

1- onion chopped

1- cup sugar

1 tsp. worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

Pour sauce over carrots and marinate overnight.

ENJOY!

In Memory of Barbara Bowden Ledbetter

I have run across several recipes of my cousin, Barbara. I will post each of them this month in her memory. She was always so jolly as I remember, so I will post her Hummingbird Cake recipe first. This cake is delicious and a great cake for this time of year.

3 Layer Cake

3-cups all purpose flour

2-cups sugar

1-tsp. baking soda

1-tsp. salt

1-tsp. ground cinnamon

3-eggs beaten

1-cup vegetable oil

1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1-8 oz. can crushed pineapple, undrained

1-1/2 cups chopped pecans ( Reserve 1/2 cup to sprinkle on top of frosted cake)

2-cups chopped bananas

Cream Cheese Frosting

1-8 oz. pkg. cream cheese softened

1/2 cup oleo softened

1-16. oz. pkg.4 x powdered sugar sifted

1-tsp. vanilla extract

_______________________________________________________________ Combine first 5 ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs and oil, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened (DO NOT BEAT). Stir in vanilla, pineapple, 1 cup pecans and bananas. Spoon batter into 3 greased and floured cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a wooden pick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely. While layers are cooling, combine frosting ingredients. Beat cream cheese and oleo until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. Spread frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Then sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans on top. This will yield a 3 layer cake.

Lucy, I'm Home!

Hello Family and Friends,

Sorry for my absence, but I have been on a new adventure trying to sell my home in Marietta, Georgia. Yes, in this economy.... Please don't laugh! My husband's family beach home is in need of complete renovation and my husband, Jeff, and I have made the decision to retire there, right in the middle of the "redneck riviera", Panama City Beach, Florida. Sure beats the heck out of the monsoon traffic in Atlanta, Georgia.

I do have lots of recipes to share and they will be coming soon. Some are healthier recipes, to whittle our waists. How about substitute ingredients for battling diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer etc? I don't know about you, but with the recent health care bill, we may need to help each other out while waiting to see a doctor. We can beat this situation by facing it and dealing with it. Thinking positively will get us through, and as my mom, Annelle Swearingen Hendley, would say, "We must keep the faith."

I hope to have Hanks Belly updated with recipes by April 15. Feel free to comment.  E-mails are welcome too. Will try to be more attentive as I am back in the swing.

Debbie