Apple Crisp Recipe Aunt Lillian's apple crisp recipe was amazing and was one of the many homemade treats she made. Her apple crisp recipe was made with fresh crisp fall apples, plenty of cinnamon and brown sugar, and always served warm with vanilla ice cream. Aunt Lillian's apple crisp was a taste of heaven in every bite. She was prim and proper, with lace doilies on every table. Aunt Lillian's apple crisp recipe uses a brown sugar topping, balancing out the tartness of the apples without being overly sweet. For those of you that like a cobbler-type apple crisp, we've included another version. Either way you make it, you'll love apple crisp and the way the aroma of fresh baked apples and spices fills the house like a cozy blanket of warmth. Aunt Lillian's Apple Crisp Recipe Apple Crisp Ingredients: 6 cups peeled, sliced apples (about 6 large apples)1/2 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons cinnamon3/4 cup flour1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar1/2 cup butter, softened1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Guaranteed Crispy Sweet Potato Fries & Sriracha Mayo Dip Right here, right now I am going to teach you how to make crispy sweet potato fries. But first … Let’s get one thing straight. They are french fry substitutes to be eaten when a real french fry can’t be found. Yes, I know. I have been eating, making and lusting after french fries for as long as I can remember. Best way to eat a french fry? But … if you’re on some sort of stupid meal plan, or you’re all out of regular potatoes, or you just feel like having something a little different, why wouldn’t you cook up some Sweet Potato French Fries? Because they’re soggy messes. I’ve oven baked them, par boiled them and deep fried them and they don’t get crispy. Finally, I’ve figured out how to make crispy sweet potato fries and the best part is you can do them in the deep fryer or the oven! But like with most things, you’re more guaranteed if you do them in the deep fryer. Here’s what you need to do … Gather your sweet potatoes. Get some corn starch. Also get some olive oil. Preheat oven to 425° See?
Fresh Food Friday: 20 Tried and True Freezer Meals Happy Friday! I have to be honest . . . the holidays are SO crazy around my house that the last thing I want to do at the end of a busy day is cook dinner. Between class parties, work parties, family gatherings, and holiday programs (and my husband's brother is getting married the weekend before Christmas!), it is a super busy time! And that is why I am such a fan of freezer meals. At the end of a long day, all I have to do is pull one out of the freezer, pop it in the oven, and dinner is done! When I make freezer meals, I usually set aside 2-3 hours on a Saturday morning and I can whip out 3-4 meals. You will notice that a lot of these recipes are also made in your slow cooker- it is so easy to double a slow cooker recipe (if you have a big enough slow cooker! So here is my collection of some easy and delicious freezer meals . . . you will have to try some out and see what you think! (Click on the link below each picture to go to the recipe) Have a great weekend!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Peanut Butter Cups Soooooo… you know that episode of Sex and the City where Miranda has to dump dish soap on top of chocolate cake just so she will stop eating it?? Uh. Yeeeeeah. These are like… of that caliber. And that totally almost happened to me. I ate what felt like a million, then had a plate of 5-day old green bean fries from the fridge and called it lunch. I definitely recommend those. For lunch. Face? Inhale. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Peanut Butter Cups [cookie dough adapted from cookie dough dip] makes 24 cups 2 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter 3/4 cup powdered sugar 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips In a small saucepan, heat butter until melted. Line a mini muffin with with liners. Remove muffin tin and cookie dough, then place 1 teaspoon of cookie dough (I somewhat rolled mine) into the chocolate cups. Sigh.
Homemade Goldfish Crackers There are amazing recipes all over the internets—impressive cakes and cookies, pies galore, delicious pasta dishes, fantastic dinner ideas, and so much more. But what has had me a little stumped were homemade crackers. Homemade crackers? Who in the world has time to make homemade crackers? They looked like they’d be difficult and totally something I wouldn’t be able to pull off. Let me tell ya, they were pretty darn easy. Wanna see how? Before getting started, decide on what shapes you’ll be cutting out. I had so much fun I couldn’t stop, and made a Pac-Man and a football. You’ll need just a few simple ingredients: shredded cheese, butter, flour, salt and cold water. Begin combining everything, except the water, in a food processor until the dough looks like sand. Next, pulse in the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until combined. Remove the dough from the processor and form into a small, tidy package. Once chilled, roll out the dough. Now, the cutting fun begins! Aren’t they cute? Look!
Parmesan Spread This stuff is addictive when you slather it on crusty slices of Italian bread. It uses ingredients that are the basis of so much of my cooking – fresh Parmesan, garlic, basil and olive oil. You’d think I was Italian or something! I’m not but many years ago my husband swore that with enough garlic and olive oil I’d become Italian. My skin’s not olive yet but, after 25 years, I’ve become an honorary Italian. At least I’ve got the cooking down! Parmesan Cheese, one big brickGarlic, 6 to 8 cloves depending on how garlicky you want itOlive OilCrushed Red PepperFresh Basil Leaves Crush and peel the garlic. Cut the cheese into cubes or chunks. Whirl the garlic in the food processor until it’s just barely chopped. Pulse until the cheese is coarsely crumbled. Gradually pour in a bit of olive oil and pulse until it’s mixed. Add a handful of basil leaves and a dash or two of crushed red pepper. Refrigerate for a couple of hours or overnight before serving. Tagged as: basil, cheese, garlic, parmesan
Broccoli Cheese Soup: Panera Bread Copycat Recipe On Wednesday my sister and I volunteered to make the soup supper to go with the Advent service at church. Before you go thinking I'm some kind of charitable, goodhearted soul, I must tell you that the only reason that I do it is because I LOVE COOKING. In case you hadn't figured that out yet. Okay, so I was like, "Whadaya think, Nemo? Will two huge pots of soup, a crockpot full of barbequed meatballs, five trillion chicken salad sandwiches, fifty thousand and two loaves of bread, and a couple bazillion desserts cover it?" Well, it would have, except everybody had to try a huge bowl of BOTH kinds of soup AND meatballs. Barbequed meatballs in broccoli soup. I had to leave the room. Anyways, we ran out of soup after about ten minutes of serving. So during church I had a sudden inspiration (um, Pastor, if you're reading this, that was a typo. Anways, I burst out of church and ran up to my friend screaming, "Hey guess what!! Yeah. I mean it would be like getting paid to have fun. Okay.
A Different Way to Serve Fresh Watermelon. Watermelon ‘Cake’ I saw this watermelon cake idea in the August issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine. This is a cute, fun, unique way to serve fresh watermelon. And I’m not the only one who excitedly tried this; checkout ‘messy thrilling life’ blog who also tried Martha Stewart Living Magazine watermelon cake. Thankyou Martha! Martha Stewart Living Magazine serves the watermelon cake plain, thats what I’ve done too. But if you want to jazz it up, here are some suggestions: - sprinkle a little lime juice or lime zest on top - top with chopped basil or mint - sprinkle some feta cheeseand balsamic vinegar over the watermelon “cake” - drizzle a little tequila or rum or cachaca Wash and wipe a seedless watermelon. Lay it down horizontally. Cut about one thirds from the other end. Lay the middle third (the watermelon ”cake”) on a serving platter. Now take the two ends of the water melon. Now arrange these balls on top of the water melon ‘”cake”. Comments comments Tagged as: watermelon
Zuccotto (Grain Free, Gluten Free, Paleo, Primal) I think I might be having too much fun with desserts. I haven’t developed a new sweet-tooth, but am fascinated and challenged by just how many recipes there are to create without grains. I fell in love with this dessert many years ago, when I bought a copy of Everyday Italian. Zuccotto is a fancy-looking dessert made from everyday ingredients. Zuccotto (Grain Free, Paleo, Primal, Gluten Free) Ingredients 1 coconut cake, completely cooled (I used this recipe and baked the cake batter in a loaf pan at 325ºF for 30 minutes, or until golden brown) 1/4 cup brandy 2 cups heavy cream (or very cold coconut milk, using this method to whip it) 3 1/2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1 tablespoon honey (I used clover) 1/2 cup slivered almonds, chopped Unsweetened cocoa for dusting Instructions Line a 1.5 quart mixing bowl with plastic wrap, so that the wrap hangs over the side. Whip 1 cup of heavy cream until soft peaks form. Copyright 2013 Deliciously Organic
Tiramisu Pancakes A few days ago, I put a call out on Twitter for help. Marscapone help, to be specific. Many people came to the rescue, however it was @Ivoryhut her responded with a recipe idea that went beyond delectable. Tiramisu Pancakes. oh. hell yeah. Why not have dessert for breakfast? huh?! And while you're at it, come visit Ivory Hut food blog - This woman can make bread, the most beautiful striped bread even! These photos and recipes are from Ivory Hut - enjoy! ~Jaden These amazing Tiramisu Pancakes started out as a casual idea spurred by a tweequest for things to do with half a cup of mascarpone, and the fact that I had just posted a pancake recipe on my blog. The maple-butter glaze is optional, but it gives the pancakes a nice boost of sweetness and extra maple flavor to remind you that these are, in fact, pancakes. I also maintain that, as decadent as it sounds, it might be a tad healthier than regular pancakes because you're not drowning it in syrup. ~Ivory Hut Tiramisu Pancakes Instructions:
Grilled Cheese Rolls ~ A Fun Spin on an American Classic! A fun spin on an American Classic... ...Dip these simple Grilled Cheese Rolls in a bowl of piping hot tomato soup or ramekin of your favorite marinara ~ and I dare you ~ I dare you to eat just one! All you'll have to do is... cut the crusts off your bread, here I used a soft wheat. Flatten your crustless bread squares with a rolling pin and then top with one piece of American Cheese (do not be tempted to use more cheese, in this case one is enough) Here I used fresh, deli sliced, Land O'Lakes yellow American Cheese - YUM! Roll your cheese squares up and then cook them in a pan with melted butter over medium heat (SEAM SIDE DOWN FIRST TO SECURE THEM) (rolling occasionally in the buttered pan to crisp all sides) until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and your Grilled Cheese Rolls are ready to enjoy! Pin It
Chicken Parmesan (Grain Free, Gluten Free, Gaps, Paleo, Primal) For years, my Sunday night ritual centered on a bowl of noodles. Garlic noodles to be exact – buttery, creamy, a little salty and sweet. Since going grain free, I stopped my ritual and I occasionally miss that bowl of noodles. It’s not necessarily the taste I miss, but the comfort of a meal in a bowl, turning a fork round-and-round to collect a mass of goodness, and the spaghetti sauce. Have you seen people talking about the vegetable slicer? I’ve served the noodles with other sauces and vegetables, but pairing them with chicken parmesan is my favorite. Chicken Parmesan with Zucchini Noodles (Grain Free, Paleo, Primal, Gaps, Gluten Free) I prefer to use ghee in place of olive oil in this dish because ghee has a higher smoking point. Ingredients For the Noodles: 2 pounds zucchini, cut into noodles using a noodle slicer 1/2 teaspoon Celtic sea salt For the Chicken: For the Spaghetti Sauce: Instructions Place zucchini noodles in a colander and season with salt. Preheat broiler to high.
74 Books to Read if You Love the Hunger Games If you haven't read the Hunger Games you really should! They're pretty awesome. Check them out: If you're already a fan of the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins... You should add these books to your to be read pile! (The recommendations are in no particular order.) Matched Trilogy by Ally Condie In a world where Officials pick your perfect mate, what happens when you’ve two choices? Maze Runner Trilogy by James Dashner A boy wakes up in a Glade with other boys knowing only his name, not how he got there, or how to escape the enclosed walls. Giver Quartet by Lois Lowry A young boy is given the job to retain the Community’s memories and to advise them using that knowledge, but he doesn’t like what he sees when he knows the past. Books of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau A city of light amidst the darkness begins to go black and survival means finding a way out by going through the unknown. Uglies Quartet by Scott Westerfeld Selection Trilogy by Kiera Cass UPDATE: Novellas added to series: The Prince , The Guard