Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes

2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup melted butter or oil
2 eggs
2 bananas, chopped into small pieces
1/2 – 1 cup mini chocolate chips
(optional – 1/2 cup chopped walnuts)

Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside. Mix the buttermilk, melted butter or oil and eggs in a small bowl until combined.  Mix the wet ingredients to the dry.

Finally, mix in the chopped banana, mini chocolate chips and nuts if you are using them. Mix well, smashing the banana chunks as you go.

Ladle into a well oiled pan (that makes them nice and crisp on the outside) and flip once you see bubbles form on the top.

Eat them warm with syrup. They are sweet, indulgent and oh so delicious!

We are excited to announce that lizinwfb is our winner! 

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many of us are dreaming of turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes. But after the big meal is finished, most families find themselves starting to prepare for the next big holiday. In my family, shopping for a Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving is a tradition and it wouldn’t be Christmas without a real Christmas Tree and the smell of fresh evergreens.

This year, HAP is partnering with the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association to give away a real Christmas Tree to one of our lucky readers!

When you think about it, purchasing a real tree is actually an eco-friendly choice. These trees are a renewal resource and are often planted in soil that does not support more delicate crops. Buying a tree from your local tree farm is also helping to support local farms in your area.   If you live in the midwest, visit www.christmastrees-wi.org for more information on tree farms in your area.

To enter our giveaway, please leave a comment telling us your favorite kind of real tree to buy for your home.  If you are selected as our winner, you will be sent a gift certificate to go and pick out your real Christmas Tree. 

Lots and tree farms for this particular giveaway are located in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. Check out the website to see if there is a location by you!

This giveaway ends at 5pm (central time) on Friday November 25, 2011.

You must be 18 years of age and a citizen of the United States to enter. No purchase necessary. The winner will be chosen at random.

Hope your day is full of fun, tricks and lots of yummy treats!

Baked Cheesy Corn Dip

4 cups frozen corn, thawed
1 cup chopped red pepper
2 jalapenos seeded and chopped
3 tbsp butter
1/2 -3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup cheddar cheese plus more for sprinkling on top
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese plus more for sprinkling on top
1/2 – 1 tsp Cayenne pepper (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt 1 1/2 Tablespoons butter in a large skillet and saute the chopped red peppers and jalapenos over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until soft.  Set aside in a large bowl.

Melt the remaining 1 1/2 Tablespoons butter to the skillet and add the thawed corn.  Season generously with salt and pepper and saute for 2-3 minutes or until warmed through.  Add the corn to the bowl with the peppers.

Mix the mayo in with the vegetables. Add the mozzarella and cheddar cheese.  Feel free to add a little more if you would like yours to be extra cheesy!  Mix it until well combined.  Add Cayenne pepper if you are using.

Add the mixture to a greased pie dish or 9×9 pan and sprinkle with cheese.  Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Serve with tortilla chips and watch the disappear!

Rae Henderson said: “I like Tybee. It reminds my of my horse field during the winter up in Aurora, MN”

And thanks again to the ever fabulous Michael Coates for taking such lovely pictures!