Cream Cheese, Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

I usually have all these ingredients on hand... all I really need are ripened bananas! 

This recipe makes 2 loaves... so it's great for a big'ol family! Or... freeze the second loaf! :)

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 8 oz cream cheese (I like to use whipped)

2 cup sugar

2 eggs

3 cup four

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cup mashed bananas (about 4 medium bananas)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Beat butter and cream cheese, gradually add the sugar. Add the eggs, 1 at a time. Beat until blended.

Add the flour mixture gradually (flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.) 

Stir in the bananas, vanilla, and chocolate chips. The mixture will be very very thick! 

Add them to 2 greased and floured 8x4 loaf pans.

Bake at 350 for about 1 hour. I checked mine at 45 minutes, because the top starts to brown... and so I covered with foil towards the end.

Let cool before slicing... ENJOY!! I like to put butter on the "fresh outa the oven" slices... and the next day I like to spread cream cheese on them (as if there weren't enough cream cheese right?)

3 Ingredient Easy Mandarin Salad

Mandarin Almond Salad

This salad credit goes to my mom! I remember it at almost every Christmas dinner... It's super easy to throw together... and goes great with grilled chicken for a meal!

SALAD:

red leaf lettuce

red onion

mandarin oranges

candied almonds*

*How I do my candied nuts: Melt white sugar (which takes FOR-ever!) and as soon as it's melted, turn off heat and toss in nuts (I like using slivered almonds.) Coat the nuts, and pour out onto wax paper. Let cool, and then break up if needed.

DRESSING:

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 Tbsp vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar, my mom uses white)

1 Tbsp sugar

1 Tbsp fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dry parsley)

salt and pepper

a bit of hot sauce (whatever is on hand) 

As said before... this is a great side dish... or add chicken for a meal!! 

Super easy! Inexpensive! Delicious!