Banana Cake

There is no picture to go with this recipe. The recipe actually comes from my first mission president's family in a cookbook they gave us when we got married. The family loves this cake and it never lasts very long. You can put your favorite frosting on top. We really like chocolate frosting with this recipe.

Banana Cake
1/2 cup shortening
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup mashed bananas
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 eggs, beaten
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups flour
nuts, optional

Combine all ingredients. Beat well. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes in 9x13 pan. Cool then frost with favorite frosting.

Minestrone Soup

My cousin's wife sent me a Minestrone Soup recipe - and then I found another recipe online. So....I combined what I really liked from each of the recipes - some things were the same - and came up with my own version. It's pictured with the garlic rolls that are made cinnamon roll style.

Minestrone Soup
1 cup shredded cabbage
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 small zucchini, cubed (if not available - leave out)
1 handful kale or spinach, chopped (I use kale)
1 (14.5 oz) can white beans (the above picture has red beans since I was out of white. Both work well.)
1 TBSP dried parsley
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
6 cups broth - either chicken or vegetable
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 lb Italian sausage, cooked and drained
1/2 cup dry pasta of your choice (I used dry ravioli found in the WinCo bulk section.)

Simmer all ingredients for a couple hours. Garnish with Parmesan cheese if desired.

This recipe also freezes really well.