Beth Moore, texas grub

The girls in our home group are doing a Beth Moore study called "stepping up". I have done one or two other studies of hers and she always forces you to dig a little deeper and get into the word, as hard as it is sometimes. All good stuff. I went to her blog, to get to know her a little better and found some great recipes scattered through out. I tried this tonight and it was really good. My kids actually scarfed it down. Whenever I make something new I usually ask Ryan if it is something I should make again, or not. Tonight Connor says in reply, "Is it 'yuck' or 'yum', dad?" So now that is my new question, "Ryan, is it 'yuck' or 'yum'?" (i usually like just about everything so its his vote that counts) ;) This recipe was voted "YUM" by everybody! Click HERE for the recipe.

Chocolate-Banana Bundt Cake (reduced fat)

This is from Fitness Magazine and is actually really moist and rich, especially for a reduced fat cake! It makes 16 servings, each at 240 calories and 5 grams of fat.

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup unsweened non-Dutched or nonalkalized cocoa powder
1 1/2 t baking powder
1 1/2 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 cup nonfat buttermilk (I used lowfat)
1 1/2 cups mashed very ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg white
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 T vanilla

Glaze topping:
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 t nonfat buttermilk
16 banana chips
2 T mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and coat a 12-cup Bundt pan with butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, blend buttermilk, brown sugar, and bananas. Beat in whole egg and egg white. Stir in oil, corn syrup, and vanilla. Gradually fold in flour mixture until just combined (small lumps are ok). Pour into prepared pan. Bake 45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let cool in pan onn a wire rack for 15 minutes. remove from pan to cool completely on wire rack. In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and buttermilk until smooth. Drizzle over cake and top with banana chips and chocolate chips. Yummy!!!

Orzo Salad

*****Served this at Mom's this morning 5/21. I used Quinoa instead of the orzo and cooked up 2 cups worth and found that was a little much, but loved using the leftovers for other yummy goodness. I bought my Quinoa at Costco and have also bought some at Lingenberries. I'm sure it's available in most health food sections.*****

I had this on the 4th of July and fell in love! I made it a little differently since I couldn't find arugula and prefer craisins to dried cherries. Enjoy!

*1 lb. orzo cooked according to package directions. Spread out on cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Allow to cool.
*2 cups arugula (I used spinach)
*12 basil leaves, chopped
*1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
*1/2 cup dried cherries (I used the strawberry craisins that are in the bulk section at Winco)
*1 small container feta

Mix together:
*3 T lemon juice
*1/4 cup olive oil
*1 t salt
*1 t pepper

Drizzle over salad and enjoy!