Raisin Nuts Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 stick butter, melted
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup raisins

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. In a mixture, combine yellow cake mix, sugar, and butter. Blend for 2 minutes and add in eggs, one at a time. Mix in vanilla extract and cream until smooth which is about 4 minutes. Sprinkle in walnuts and raisins. Put mixer on medium power and blend until walnuts are folded in. 
3. Line paper cups in cupcake pan. Scope dough mixture into each cupcake pan. Fill each cupcake pan only half full as it will rise when baked. Bake for 30-40 minutes.

Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh brussels sprouts, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 ounces pancetta slices, coarsely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Sea salt and ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup chicken broth

Directions:

1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook brussels sprouts about 3 minutes then drain.
2. Heat a large skillet with butter. Add pancetta and saute until crisp which is about 3 minutes. Add garlic and saute until golden. Add brussels sprouts and saute until it begins to brown which is about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add chicken broth and simmer until the broth reduces til it's just enough to cover the brussels sprouts. Serve immediately.

Ritzy Chicken Nuggets

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 1/2 cup Ritz cracker crumbs

Directions:

1. Slice chicken breasts into 7 slices or nugget sized pieces.
2. Pour buttermilk and chicken slices into a zip-lock bag. Leave in the refrigerator to marinade for 1 hour or up to 1 day.
3. Preheat oven to 425º.
4. Place cracker crumbs into a large bowl. Remove chicken nuggets from the bag and shake off excess buttermilk then dip them in the cracker crumbs. Coat well and place chicken nuggets on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

Garlic Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf French or Italian bread
• 1/2 stick butter, melted
• Sea salt and ground black pepper
• 5 cloves garlic

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. Slice bread in an angle and place in a baking pan. Drizzle melted butter on each bread slice. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 5-10 minutes.
3. Remove bread from oven and immediately rub garlic on the toasty bread. Bon Appetit!

Fresh & Easy Potato Salad

Ingredients:

• 3 medium russet potatoes
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 pound hot dogs, pierced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• Sea salt and ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Boil the potatoes whole until tender which is about 10 minutes. Drain and cool. Peel skin and cut potatoes into bite-size pieces.
2. Place the hot dogs into a hot grill pan and cook until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cut the hot dogs crosswise into bite-size pieces.
3. Toss potatoes, hot dogs, basil leaves, and olive oil in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add more olive oil if salad seems dry. Toss well and serve!