Brown Rice and Vegetables

1 1/4 c. brown rice
3 1/2 c. water
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 c. carrot, chopped
1/2 c. onion, chopped
1 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. salt
3/4 c. peas, frozen

1. Bring rice and water to a boil. Once boiling, turn down to a simmer.
2. Add garlic, bell pepper, carrots, onion, butter, pepper, and salt.
3. Cover and cook for 35 minutes. Add peas. Cook for an additional 10 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Let stand 5-10 minutes.
NOTE: You may want to stir several times during cooking to minimize clumping.

Double-Dipped Baked Lemon-Pepper Chicken

1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 c. Panko bread crumbs
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. lemon pepper
2 eggs
1/2 c. milk
2 tbsp. lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. In a wide, shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs, cheese, garlic powder, black pepper, and lemon pepper.
3. In a second wide, shallow bowl, combine eggs, milk, and lemon juice. Mix well.
4. Dip each chicken piece first in the crumbs, then in the egg mixture, and back in the crumbs.
5. Place chicken on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 45-60 minutes, depending on size, turning halfway through.

Lemon Loaf

1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 eggs
1 c. sugar
2 tbsp. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. lemon extract
1/3 c. lemon juice
1/2 c. coconut oil (I used canola)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 9x5 loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a medium bowl, combine eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, lemon extract and lemon juice using a hand mixer.
4. Combine flour mixture with egg mixture. Add oil and mix well.
5. Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake for 45 minutes.
6. Let sit 10-15 minutes and then turn out onto a cooling rack.

Icing
1 c. + 1 tbsp. powdered sugar
2 tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. lemon extract

When lemon loaf has cooled, combine powdered sugar, milk, and lemon extract for icing in a medium bowl using a hand mixer. Pour over loaf and spread on the top.

Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Cake:

2 c. flour
2/3 c. unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. table salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
3 large eggs
1 2/3 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. mayonnaise (NOT Miracle Whip)
1 1/3 c. hot water

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease (shortening) and flour a 9x13-inch pan.
2. In medium bowl, sift and whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder.
3. In large bowl, beat eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla at medium-high speed for about 3 min. or until mixture is very light brown and ribbons form when beater is lifted. Add mayonnaise and beat on low until combined.
4. Add flour mixture to egg mixture alternately with hot water, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat on low just until blended after each addition.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 min. or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack before frosting.

Frosting:

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 tsp. vanilla
1 (32 oz.) pkg. powdered sugar
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa
5-6 tbsp. heavy cream

1. Beat first three ingredients at medium speed until creamy.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and cocoa.
3. Gradually add to butter mixture alternately with 5 tbsp. cream. Beat on low until blended after each addition. Add up to 1 tbsp. (1 tsp. at a time) to reach desired consistency. Beat another minute until light and fluffy.

NOTE: Half of this frosting recipe would have been enough. I used 2% milk instead of cream.

Sweet Tato Fries

1 large sweet potato (yam)
2 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. black pepper
pinch of paprika

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Peel and cut sweet potato into 1/4-inch "fries."
3. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, salt, garlic powder, black pepper and paprika.
4. Toss fries in oil and spices.
5. Bake for 20 minutes, turning after 10-15 min.