Banana Poke Cake

1 box yellow cake mix and whatever ingredients the cake requires (eggs, oil, water)
1 box Nilla Wafers
1 container of Whipped Cream
2 3.4 oz boxes of instant banana pudding
4 cups milk (to make the pudding)

1. Mix and bake cake according to box directions using a 9x13 pan


2. Cool cake for 5 minutes and use a round object to poke holes in the cake.
Make sure to poke all the way to the bottom of the pan. I used the end of a wooden spoon.


3. Prepare instant pudding. Stir well and let sit for 2 minutes. You don't want the putting to fully set up. Pudding should still be easily pourable after about 2 minutes.


4. Pour pudding over cake. Be sure to get pudding down in the holes. Refrigerate until cake is fully cooled.


5.After cake has cooled, frost with cool whip and top with crushed Nilla wafers.




Slice and serve!

I made this for an outdoor work celebration and it was an absolute smash hit.
Its pleasing to both the eye and the tastebuds.

The way to a mans heart...

I always find buying something for Fathers Day challenging. I know that my dad loves to golf and loves to vacation and he loves to grill. But I can only buy so many golf gift cards and grilling tools. And lets be honest my budget does not allow for a fully paid vacation for fathers day. (They have a house in Florida anyway so its not like they need my vacation planning skills)

This year I decided to make my dad something instead. I found a recipe for No-Bake Peanut Butter bars and I was in love. Yum.



It is a really easy recipe. Heres what you need:


2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1.5 Cups Chocolate Chips
2 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs (I smashed my own but you can buy the boxed kind too)
1 Cup + 4 Tbs peanut butter (I used all natural but you can use regular too)
1 Cup (two sticks) Melted Butter

In a mixing bowl combine powdered sugar, graham cracker crumbs, 1 cup peanut butter and the melted butter.

Press this mixture onto an ungreased 9x13 pan. You could use a 9x9 if you want them to be thicker.

Combine chocolate chips and 4 tbs peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time stirring afterwards until the chocolate is completely melted.

Pour chocolate mixture over the graham cracker combination and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before cutting into squares.

Lets just say dad approved. And while we were sitting at a restaurant last night an elderly lady in the table behind us saw that I had made these bars for my dad and so she leaned over and whispered in my ear, "The way to a mans heart is through his stomach. And you will make some man very happy one day."

Guacamole.

Its looking like food friday here in the midwest. I thought with memorial day coming up a really simple guacamole recipe would be just perfect.

You will need:
A few ripe avocados. (I used 2 but that doesn't make a very big batch)
Crushed Garlic (to taste) I LOVE garlic.
Lemon Juice- Just a squirt. You could use a fresh lemon as well but I used what I had.
And tomatoes. Sliced very fine.


1. Slice the avocados. Ive found that the easiest and most efficient way is to slice all the way around the pit and then pull the two halves apart. It is then easy to remove the pit and the skin.

2. Chunk the avocados. I find it easy if I cut the halves into smaller chunks. This makes the mashing process a little faster and easier. This is also when I add the lemon juice and the garlic. Add a little garlic at first because you can always add more if thy tongue is not satisfied. I use a potato masher to mash my avocados. Add a little salt and pepper, and maybe a little more garlic.

Note: I've heard that adding cilantro to this recipe is delicious. I personally really really really dislike cilantro so I have omitted that part but feel free to improvise.

And there you have it. Wasn't that easy?

I think this is just a great fast recipe to take to your memorial day potluck. Im headed to our lake house tomorrow morning. Sunday is supposed to be b-e-a-utiful and I cannot wait.

What are your memorial day plans?
Enjoy!

P.s. Im linking up at a great blog I just found. Find Skinny Jeans and a Chai Latte here.

Texas Caviar

Don't worry, no fish eggs in this recipe!
Texas Caviar is one of our favorite summer recipes. It is to die for!

Texas Caviar

1 can black beans
1 can corn
1 can black eyed peas
2 peppers of your choice- I used red and green
Half a red onion

For the marinade:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

Directions:
Dice veggies and rinse corn, black beans, and black eyed peas. Mix veggies, beans, corn, and black eyed peas.
Mix marinade ingredients in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool. Stirring every few minutes. Mix marinade with other ingredients and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. The longer it sets up the better! Serve with Tostitos.

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday!