PEBBLES MARSHMALLOW CRISPY TREATS

so, this is probably sac-religious, but i didn't want my bag of marshmallows to go to waste, and the only handy crispy cereal i had on hand were cocoa pebbles®. on the box there were also suggestions of other post cereals that can be used: honey bunches of oats, honeycombs, fruity pebbles, and banana nut crunch. maybe if i get adventurous i'll post my experience.

believe me, i love the original rice krispies treat, but i do love these cocoa pebbles! plus, it will be a tasty treat for tomorrow's super bowl (assuming the husband doesn't get his grubby little hands all over them).

PEBBLES MARSHMALLOW CRISPY TREATS RECIPE

• 1/4 c (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
• 1 pkg (10-1/2 oz) miniature marshmallows (6 cups)
• 13 oz cocoa pebbles cereal® (about 8-1/2 cups)

microwave butter in 4-qt microwavable bowl on high 45 seconds or until melted. add marshmallows; toss to coat. microwave 1-1/2 seconds or until marshmallows are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 45 seconds.

add cereal; mix well.

press firmly into greased foil-lined 13x9-inch pan. cool. cut into 24 squares.

my yummy tip: if you happen to be a crispy treat virgin, make you add water to your hands before pressing the final mix into the pan. it keeps them from sticking and being unmanageable...although it is fabulous to get a little of the strays on your fingers for some finger-licking fun!

AVOCADO MILK DRINK

yeah, that's right an avocado drink...don't be scared! as a child, i grew up specifically perceiving avocados as a fruit. one of my mom's favorite things is this avocado recipe. p.s. i devoured this in 5 mins.

AVOCADO MILK DRINK RECIPE

• 1 large ripe avocado
• 3 T sugar (more or less depending on your preference)
• 1/3 c milk

half the avocado and remove the seed. scoop out into your cup.

add sugar and mash together with the avocado. avocado will look slightly darkened when mixed together. mash the avocado to your discretion...if you like chunks of avocado, mash less...for something more smooth that you don't need to use a spoon, mash more.

add milk and combine. enjoy...this may be a little out there for some, but i love it! there's nothing like "good" fats.

SIMPLY BANANA BREAD

i was in desperate need to find a delicious recipe for banana bread. nothing is more decadent to me than a thick slice, warmed up, and served with a scoop of ice cream. as fate would have it, we were having a bake sale at work to raise money for st. jude's and there it was...a mini loaf of banana bread for $3. that first bite was full of banana flavor and it was perfectly moist. soon after, i had to track down this recipe...and, fittingly enough, it was at SIMPLY RECIPES. this is a no fuss, no electric mixer needed, bananas need not require over ripening kind of recipe and hopefully someday it will just come naturally to me.

BANANA BREAD RECIPE

posted by elise of simplyrecipes.com on june 15, 2006

• 3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
• 1/3 c melted butter
• 1 c sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 c), but really who are we kidding...bring on the sugar!
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 t vanilla
• 1 t baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 c all-purpose flour

no need for a mixer for this recipe. preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). with a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large bowl. (future baby better not think this is going to happen for all foods...hehe)

mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. add the flour last, mix. pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan.

**for a little added deliciousness...i add shelled, halved walnuts. as you can see they are methodically placed on one-half of the batter, that's because the husband doesn't like the fabulous crunch of nuts in his foods, but i do! so, after i pour it in the loaf pan, i just sprinkle some walnuts and sort of mix just that side. the trick is remembering which side they're on once it's baked.

bake for 1 hour. cool on a rack. remove from pan and slice to serve.

my yummy tip: although most ovens do vary, try not to over bake...there's nothing worse than dry bread. the "stick a fork in it, it's done" method does not work, so i push down the top and check to see whether or not it springs back. it seems to be best way to keep the bread nice and moist! enjoy!