Pumpkin Bars

4 eggs
2 C sugar
1 1/2 C salad oil
1 #303 can pumpkin (1 lb.)
2 1/2 C flour (to make this recipe GLUTEN FREE, use GF flour and 2 tsp xanthan gum)
2 tsp soda
2 tsp cinnamon

Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Pour into 2 well greased 9x13 pans.  Bake about 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.

When cool, frost with the following:

3 1/2 C powdered sugar
8 oz. pkg cream cheese
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 C butter

Beat until soft and creamy.  Makes enough for both pans of bars.

Don't have sour cream?

Use plain yogurt instead.  I used it in Spaghetti pie and it worked perfectly!

Balsamic Chicken

5-6 Chicken breasts, cut in 1/2 lengthwise

3 tsp rosemary
3 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper

Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar

Place chicken in a 9x13 pan.

Mix rosmary, garlic, salt and pepper with olive oil to make a paste.  Rub onto chicken.  Pour desired amount of balsamic vinegar over the chicken.  Cover pan with foil and bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes.  Turn and bake 20 more minutes.

Serve with rice and a salad.

VLS

Any recipe requests?

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Mac and Cheese

CAN BE MADE GLUTEN FREE!  :-)
16 oz. uncooked elbow macaroni (I used gluten free corn Fusilli)
2 C grated Cheddar cheese
1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese
3 C milk
1/4 C butter
2 1/2 T flour (I used GFM almond blend flour)
1 tsp. minced garlic
Paprika
Parsley

Cook noodles according to package directions.  Drain.
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.  Stir in flour to thicken.  Add milk slowly, stirring constantly.  Stir in cheeses and garlic and cook over low heat until cheese is melted.  Put noodles in large casserole dish, and pour sauce over.  Stir.  Sprinkle paprika and parsley over top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Serve with a salad for a great meatless dinner.
~VLS

Greek Salad

1 head romaine lettuce- rinsed, dried and chopped
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 (6 ounce) can pitted black olives
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 cucumber, sliced
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
6 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 lemon, juiced
ground black pepper to taste

1.In a large salad bowl, combine the Romaine, onion, olives, bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumber and cheese.

2.Whisk together the olive oil, oregano, lemon juice and black pepper. Pour dressing over salad, toss and serve.

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cake

1 3/4 C boiling water
1 C oatmeal
1 C brown sugar
1 C granulated sugar
1/2 C butter
2 eggs
1 3/4 C almond blend flour (or all-purpose flour if you don't want it to be GF)
1 1/2 tsp. xanthan gum (don't use if you use all-purpose flour)
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 T Hershey's cocoa
1 1/2 C chocolate chips
1 C walnuts (optional)

Mix boiling water and oatmeal and let stand 10 minutes.  Add brown sugar, sugar and butter and stir until melted.  Then add the rest of the indgredients except just add 1/2 the chocolate chips and 1/2 the walnuts.  Pour mixed batter into a greased and floured 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle remaining nuts and chips on top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. 

This cake is so rich that it doesn't need to be frosted.  It may be served with whipped cream on top.

~VLS