Banana Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

1 box yellow cake mix
3 very ripe bananas (abt. 1 1/2 C)
1/2 C water
1/4 C margarine or butter, softened
3 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 C chocolate chips (mini or regular)

Preheat oven to 375
Mix everything but the chocolate chips for three minutes. Stir in the chocolate chips. Bake for 18-22 minutes. Makes 24 cupcakes.

VARIATIONS
Carrot cake cupcakes: Change the bananas to grated carrots, either use a spice cake mix or add 2 tsp. cinnamon and 1/2 tsp. nutmeg (or 1 C cinnamon chips and omit chocolate chips) to the yellow cake mix. The chocolate chips are optional.

These are great with or without cream cheese frosting.

Chimichangas

This makes a ton of filling. I usually get 4 packages of flour tortillas and cook up all the chimis and put them in freezer zipper bags for quick lunches and dinners. You could also freeze the filling in several zipper bags to make fresh chimis each time.

Chimichanga Filling:

1 lb hamburger or other ground meat
1 can sliced mushrooms (or fresh chopped and sautéed--I use fresh because I think the canned ones stink)
1 can green chilies
1 can refried beans
1 can chili
1 can black beans (drained)
1 can kidney beans (drained)
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1/2 onion, chopped and sautéed
1 package taco seasoning
salt and pepper to taste

Cook and season meat. Add all other ingredients; simmer for 20 minutes.

Place 1/3-1/2 cup filling at the center top of each tortilla. Fold over the sides. Roll from top to bottom. Use a toothpick to keep it from unrolling. Deep fry in oil until golden brown.

Serve with guacamole, sour cream, olives, tomatoes, grated cheese, etc.

New Blogger Alert!- Alarms should be sounding

Well I'm joining the masses and starting my own blog.

The first post will be Jan. 4th-ish. (I know it will technically be the 2nd post)
If you have great writing tips, recipes, or have an idea for a post feel free to suggest. Guest bloggers are also welcome.

The thing is if I stop everyone will know I failed this New Year's resolution.

Here's a question while you await the first installment. Why do you read blogs?