Potatoes Supreme

Thanks to Anonymous, who sent in this recipe. Apparently there are about a billion versions of this - give or take a couple. I added my own little twist (because I always have to fiddle):
I added 1 cup of leftover Taco Meat and used Pepper Jack cheese. For the topping, I used crushed Tortilla Chips, to continue the mexican flavor. So, here's my review: It was pretty dang good. My only hesitation is that it was dry, not all bubbly and golden like I expected. About 3/4 of the way through baking, I realized it was on the dry side, so I gently poured about 3/4 of a cup of milk over it. That really helped. Next time I'll add that to the sour cream & soup mixture before I mix with the potatoes. If I went the mexican route again, I will add a can of chopped chilies, too. I can certainly see why this is such a people pleaser - it has lots of flavor! Enjoy!

Potatoes Supreme
-2 lb. bag frozen southern style (cubed, not shredded) hash brown potatoes (DEFROST)
-1 small chopped onion (1/2-1 cup)
-1 can cream of chicken soup
-8 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 pint sour cream
-Appx. 1/3-1/2 cup crushed corn flakes
Preheat oven to 350F.In large bowl, mix all of the ingredients except corn flakes. Butter a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish and spread mixture evenly into it. Top with crushed flakes. Bake for 45 min. to 1 hour until golden and bubbly.

Notes:
*Make sure you defrost the potatoes, mine took FOREVER to cook when frozen
*As stated above, I would add about 3/4 cup of milk to make it extra gooey
*You could add broccoli, peas, chopped sweet red pepper for more flavor and color
*Vary the cheese flavors - Swiss would be great if you added ham or bacon, too

A+++ Banana Bread

First off, let me say this: I am not into low- fat or fat-free food. (Low-fat I can do once in a while). That said, this recipe is amazingly great when I cut the oil by adding applesauce. It's moist, delicious and will please all banana bread lovers!

Elise's Banana Bread

3/4 c. sugar
3 large mashed bananas
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. applesauce
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
1 teas. baking soda
1/2 teas. baking powder
1/2 teas. salt
1/2 c. nuts, raisins, dried cranberries, etc... (optional)

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease loaf pan.
Mix sugar, bananas, oil, applesauce, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl. In a small bowl, mix dry ingredients and add to banana mixture. Fold in nuts or dried fruit, if using.

Pour into greased pan and bake 60-70 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center of bread comes out clean. Bread should be pulling away from the sides of the pan. Let cool 10 minutes before taking from pan and cooling on rack. Makes one loaf.

Notes
* with the applesauce, it does take just a bit longer to cook, closer to 70 minutes.
* This is really great if you leave small chunks of banana (don't mash completely)
* The batter should have a thick consistency, not runny. But, if it is a bit on the runny side, add some wheat germ or bran flakes.
* This doubles very nicely, no need to adjust measurements.
* Great toasted and topped with peanut butter.