Nice and Easy Does It!

The stew -- slow roasted all morning in my spanking new Mauviel roasting pan -- includes potatoes, venison, and carrots.

Banana bread* and roasted brussel sprouts (I add minced garlic, rosemary, and thyme) rounds out the main course.

One-bowl brownies* with ice cream on top. (Got rave reviews for this simplest of all brownie recipe!)


Dinner is served -- easy does it! That makes a simple Sunday afternoon and I like that!

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*favorite family recipes

Banana Bread

1/2 c. oil
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
3 medium bananas, mashed
1 T. milk
1/2 t. vanilla

2 c. sifted flour
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. chopped walnuts (optional)

Beat oil and sugar. Add eggs and bananas, milk and vanilla.
Add dry ingredients and beat well.

Bake 350 approx. 1 hour in 9x5x3 loaf pan (greased)

• This recipe came from my dear friend in the Lord, Cathy Thomas, given to me years ago when she was a newlywed. I have tried others from time to time but none can compare to this one! Thanks, Cathy!

Best Brownies

1/2 c. butter, melted
1 c. sugar (a shy cup)
1 t. vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 c. unsifted flour
1/3 c. cocoa (a generous 1/3...)
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. baking powder
1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional -- but really, a brownie is much better when it's nutty!)

Blend butter, sugar and vanilla in large bowl. Add eggs; using a wooden spoon, beat well.
Add flour, cocoa, b. powder and salt; blend in thoroughly. Stir in nuts.

Spread into greased 9"square pan. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until brownie begins to pull away from edges of pan. Cool.

• This recipe is from Hershey's Chocolate Classics and has made it into the Sinclair all-time trusted recipe collection. It's always the best brownie going. My company "yummed" with every bite. "So chewy! What brand is this?!" My answer? "That's just a simple one-bowl brownie made from scratch. It's as easy as any box mix and a whole lot better!" One of my semi live-ins knowingly smiled and asked if I doubled the recipe. "Actually, I tripled it and baked it in my old roaster," came my response with a wink. He knows how things work around here! At any rate, you should try these brownies with vanilla ice cream. It can't be beat!