Roasted Vegetable Medley

Roasted Vegetable Medley

1.Peel and chop 1 acorn squash, 1 butternut squash, 1 large sweet potato, 1 large (or 2 small) purple sweet potato, several blue potatoes.  

2, Layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  

3. Sprinkle in some diced red onion and whole fresh cranberries

4. Drizzle with oil and honey

5. Sprinkle with salt, Joe's KC french fry seasoning and fresh rosemary

6. Roast in oven until tender

7. Serve and enjoy this beautiful Thanksgiving side dish.  
 

Thanksgiving Favorites

 A Compilation of my go to Thanksgiving recipes. 

1. Turkey - See the post Turkey Tips

2. Sides

     A. Country Style Green Beans 

1. Clean green beans and break off the ends.  Put them in a stock pot with; 

chopped red onion, bacon bits, 1-2 Tbsp bacon grease, and 1tsp salt

2. Add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan (1/2 a cup or so) and boil until soft (20-30 or more mins)

3. Drain water and add more salt to taste

**Another great reason to never throw away bacon grease (just put it on a cup or jar and store in the fridge for various uses)

    B. Cheesy Green Beans

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree

2. In a saucepan combine 1 Tbsp flour and 2 Tbsp butter over medium heat until smooth to create a rue. 

3. Add 1 cup milk and ½ tsp of salt, stir to combine

4. Add 6 oz. of finely chopped Velveeta cheese and stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce has become thick and creamy. 

5. Add ¼ tsp chili powder and stir

6. Cook 1 large bag of French cut frozen green beans according to the package instructions and place in a glass baking dish

7. Pour on ½ of the cheese sauce and stir to combine

**You can either make double beans for freeze the extra sauce and have more later**

8. Sprinkle with French fried onions and top with foil

9. Bake for 15 min, remove foil and bake for an additional 15 min. 

    C. Sweet Potato Casserole

Casserole Ingredients 

3 cups mashed sweet potatoes or yams

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs beaten

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup milk

1/4 melted butter

1/2 tsp cinnamon 

Topping Ingredients 

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/4 cup melted butter

1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine all the casserole ingredients and pour into a greased baking dish 

2. Mix topping ingredients together in a separate bowl and sprinkle over top of casserole 

3. Bake at 350 for 40 min. 

    D. Tabouli

    This is a light and refreshing salad that taps into my Gibson roots. It was a favorite at our Thanksgivings growing up. 

Ingredients

1. cup cracked wheat (also called bulgar wheat or wheat couscous)

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup diced onion (soak onion in ice water for 15 min to reduce sharp onion aftertaste)

2 cups diced tomatoes (I use cherry or grape tomatoes for better flavor in the fall)

1 diced cucumber

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Direction

1. Soak cracked wheat in 1 cup warm water for 1 hour (it will absorb the water and become a fluffy texture) 

2. Add other ingredients and toss

3. Chill overnight (might need to add a bit more lemon juice and oil before serving if too dry)

***For this all important meal I'm a bit of a semi homemade fan.  I use boxed stuffing and Rhodes frozen rolls to help save time and make life a little easier. ;0) 

3. Desserts

    A. Pecan Pie

Ingredients

1 cup Karo Light Corn Syrup

3 eggs, beaten

3/4 cup sugar

2 Tbsp Brown sugar

2 Tbsp melted butter 

1 tsp vanilla

6 ounces pecan halves

1 pie crust (see here for pie crust recipe) 

Directions

1. Beat eggs in a bowl,  Add all other ingredients except pecans.  Mix until well combine

2. Roll our pie shell in the bottom of pie pan.  Place pecan halves in concentric circles to cover the bottom of the shell.  

3. Carefully pour filling over pecans

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour

    B. Pumpkin Pie

  Ingredients 

1 can pumpkin

1 1/2 cups evaporated milk

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 pie shell (see here for pie crust recipe) 

Directions

1. Mix all filling ingredients in a bowl.  

2. Roll out pie crust and place in bottom of pie plate

3. Pour filling into shell 

4. Add some fun fall leave pie crust cut outs for a beautiful decorative touch.  (place a pie shield over the crust to prevent burning while baking) 

5. Bake at 425 for 15 min, then reduce heat to 350 and bake for 30-40 min, until pie is set. 

Serve with whipped cream 

Hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving.  

Salted Caramel Cheesecakes

 Ingredients and Directions

1. Combine 1 package softened cream cheese, 1 egg, 6 Tbsp Sugar, 1 Tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp vanilla

2. Pour in greased silicone mold and top with graham cracker or vanilla wafer cookies 

3. Bake at 375 for 15-20 min

4. Let cool and turn out.  

5. Melt salted caramel candy melts and pour into cleaned molds, place cheesecake in each mold and allow chocolate to harden. Remove from mold and enjoy. 

Turkey Tips

 

It's Turkey Time! 

Here are some tips to help you roast a turkey everyone will be thankful for.  

#1 Thaw in the fridge

I usually give my turkey's at least 2-3 days to thaw in the fridge. Then remove gizzards. 

#2 Brine, Brine, Brine

   If you are a fan of Bob's Burgers you'll recognize his 3 day "Father of the Brine." It sounded like such a good idea that I tried it out and indeed, it is very good.  Here is my brine recipe. 

   In a stock pot, heat 1/4 cup salt, 1 quart vegetable stock and 1 quart water. Heat until salt is dissolved. let cool and add 1 tsp poultry seasoning.  

I like to use the large bags that are made for crockpots but a large zip lock bag or container would work well too.  Anything to keep the liquid all around the turkey.  

Brine for 3 days in the fridge.  

#3. Roasting 

I like to roast my turkeys with some onions, carrots and celery stuffed inside.  Dry the bird and cover with butter and season salt. Cover the bird with a lid or heavy duty foil and roast at 325 according to weight. 15 mins per pound of turkey.  

#4 Bump of the heat

At the end remove the foil and bump up the heat to 425 degrees.  Cook for about 15-30 mins to crisp up the skin and give the turkey that desired golden brown color.  

#5 Serving

   Remove the inner veggies and carve the bird.  I like to remove the legs, wings and thighs first.  Then cut the breast meat off the bone and slice with an electric knife. 

#6 All aboard the Gravy train. 

Pour all the drippings into a skillet. Add some turkey stock of  you need more.  In a separate bowl mix a little water with 2 Tbsp corn starch until smooth.  Pour that into the drippings.  Bring to a boil, while constantly whisking (to prevent lumps).  Add 1/2 tsp kitchen bouquet and stir. Boil until desired thickness is reached.  Add salt to taste if needed.  

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Thanksgiving Punch

 

Ingredients and Directions 

Combine: Pear or Apple Cider, cranapple juice and ginger ale, 

Top with whole fresh cranberries. 

Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips

 

Ingredients and Directions

1. Use cookie cutters to cut out chip shapes from large tortillas

2. In a bowl, mix together 1/3 cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon

3. Arrange chips on a baking sheet and spray with cooking oil, sprinkle cinnamon/sugar on each chip

4. Bake at 350 for 10-11 mins. 

5. In a food processor chop of various fruits into a salsa, add 1 tbsp apple jelly, 1 tbsp white sugar, 1 tsp brown sugar

Serve and enjoy. 

Hot Wassail

Nothing says fall like a glass of hot wassail. So delicious. 

Ingredients 

2 cups orange juice

2 cups pineapple juice

2 quarts apple cider

3/4 cup lemon juice

1 tsp whole cloves

1 cups sugar

1 cinnamon stick, broken

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a stock pot and simmer for 20 min

2. Remove cloves and cinnamon stick before serving

**Also great in a crock pot or beverage warmer 

Smashing Pumpkin Recipes 2

Pumpkin Cream Custard Recipe

1. In a saucepan over medium heat cook: 1 cup brown Sugar, 1/4 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup corn (or other) starch, 1/8 tsp salt, 2 cups heavy whipping cream and 2 cup milk

2. Whisk until smooth and cook until a thermometer reads 175 degrees. Then remove from heat. 

3. In a separate bowl beat 4 eggs add 1 can pumpkin and 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice. 

4. Temper the eggs by adding small amounts of the hot mixture while constantly whisking. Once you have done this with half of the hot mixture, pour the rest of the now egg mixture back into the pan and whisk until combine.  

5. Place back on the stove and cook until the mixture reaches 160 degrees or coats the back of a metal spoon. (optional add the seeds of a vanilla bean)

Frozen Pumpkin Custard

Place 1/2 of the mixture in an ice cream maker and freeze. 

Pumpkin Creme Brûlée

1. Divide the mixture into ramekins (if serving later cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge)

2. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp sugar over each ramekin and use a blow torch to melt the sugar into a crust. 

Spooktacular Halloween Feast

 Jack-o-lantern Pasties 

Ingredients

2 refrigerated package of 2 pie crusts (or 2 recipe homemade pie crust)

1 package cube steak

1 large carrot

1/2 onion

1/2 can of whole potatoes 

2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce 

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions: 

1. In a food processor pulse carrots and onions. Then add beef and pulse again. Add potatoes and pulse

2. Add Worcestershire and salt and pepper and pulse until well mixed

3. Unroll pie crust and cut 8 tops crusts and 8 bottoms bottom crusts

4. Place about 1/3 cup meat mixture on the bottom crust, brush a little water on the pie crust edge to help with sealing.  Place the top crust on and seal edges

5. Brush top with egg wash for color

6. Bake at 400 for 35-40 min until crust is fully cooked. 

Jello Brains with Eyeballs

Ingredients

Brain Jello mold

2 large packages of jello (flavors that will create a light pinky peachy color)

2 cups boiling water

2 cups ice water

9-10 rambutans (fruit)

18-20 blueberries

Strawberry Syrup (optional) 

Directions

1. Fully Dissolve jello in boiling water (stirring), add ice water and mix

2. Pour into jello mold and allow to set in the refrigerator (a couple of hours) 

3. Peel rambutans, cut in half long ways and remove seed (some seed shell may remain that ok)

4. Place a blueberry in each seed cavity 

5. When jello is set remove onto a platter (setting the mold in hot water for a couple seconds can help release the jello from the mold)

6. Arrange "eyes" around the brains and drizzle strawberry syrup if desired for extra spooky. 

Halloween Party Drinks (non alcoholic)

 These 2 punches will be a surefire hit at your Halloween party

Witches Brew Punch

Ingredients

1 jug Green Berry Rush Hawaiian punch (or any green colored drink) 

1 lt lemon lime soda

1 container lime sherbert

Dry ice (for misty affect) ** Don't touch dry ice with bare hands, use tongs.  Don't put dry ice directly in the drink, only in a separate bowl underneath the actually punch bowl.  Pour water over dry ice to activate the misty effect. 

**If adding alcohol I would suggest green apple vodka

Blood Punch 

Ingredients

1 bottle grape juice

1 bottle cran-apple juice

1 bottle V8 Strawberry Banana juice

1 Lt lemon lime soda

1 container raspberry sherbert 

**If adding alcohol I would suggest raspberry vodka

Smashing Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting

1. In a mixing bowl place 1 cup pumpkin, 1 cup shortening, 1 cup sugar and mix
2. Add one egg and 1 tsp vanilla and mix again
3. Sift in 2 cup flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, and 1/4 tsp ginger and mix a final time
4. Spoon cookies onto a baking sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 min.
5. For the frosting, melt 3 Tbsp butter in a sauce pan, add 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup milk, stir until sugar is dissolved.
6. Place in your mixing bowl and add 1 tsp vanilla and about 3 cups of powdered sugar, mix until smooth.
Frost cookies and enjoy!
Makes about 2 dozen cookies. 

Pumpkin Apple Bread with Streusel Topping

1. In a mixing bowl place 1 can of pumpkin, 1 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup white sugar, 1 cup brown sugar, and 4 eggs and mix
2.  Add 3 cup flour, 2 Tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon and mix again
3. Peel, core and dice 2 tart apples and fold into the batter
4. spray loaf pans and evenly divide the batter between them.
5. To make streusel topping in a bowl combine 2 Tbsp flour, 1/2 cup white sugar, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, and 2 tbsp softened butter. Mix with a fork until crumbly. Spread over each loaf.
6. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35-40 min (until a toothpick comes out clean) up to 1 hour for large loaves 
Makes 8 mini loaves for 2 large loaves.

Pumpkin Popcorn

1. Pop 1/2 cup popcorn kernels or use a bag of microwave popcorn.
2. While it is still hot pour into a paper bag with 1/2 cup pumpkin chips and shake, shake, shake. (if the pumpkin chips aren't melting, you can microwave the paper bag for a 20 or so sec until they melt)
3. rip open the bag and allow the pumpkin to cool and harden a bit and serve.

Pumpkin Juice

1. In a blender pour 3 cup apple cider, 1 - 6 oz can pineapple juice, 1 cup pumpkin, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice and 1 cup orange juice (you can sweeten with some agave nectar or honey)
2. Blend for 30 sec.
3. Store in a pitcher in the fridge. The pumpkin will settle to the bottom so stir before serving.

Mini Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Frosting. 

(This was a Martha Stewart recipe that I adapted and changed a little.  Here is a link to the original recipe http://www.marthastewart.com/344826/pumpkin-whoopie-pies-with-cream-cheese-f )

1. In a mixer place 1 1/2 cup pumpkin, 1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar and mix
2. Then add 1 egg and 1/2 tsp vanilla and mix again
3. Sift in 1 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice and mix a final time
4. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and put batter into a prepare piping bag
5. Pipe out an even number of cookies (for sandwiches) and bake at 350 for 10 min. Allow to cool completely.
6. For frosting place in a mixing bowl 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 oz softened cream cheese, 3 tbsp softened butter and 1/2 tsp vanilla. mix until smooth
7. place frosting in anther prepared piping bag and place a dollop of frosting on 1/2 of the cookies. Top with other cookie to make the whoopie pies. Make about 3 dozen mini pies.
Store in the fridge in an air tight container with parchment paper as a liner for layers.

Fall Chex Mix

 This is a favorite Fall tradition with my kids and each year it's slightly different depending on what we find at the store 

Basic Chex Mix Recipe 

• Melt 1 stick of butter in the microwave and add 2/3 cup Worcestershire sauce, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder (if you like a stronger flavor your can add 2 tsp of onion and garlic powder), stir to combine. 
• In a very large bowl add 1 box of the corn chex, 1 box of rice chex, 1 box of golden grahams, 1 bag soup crackers, 1 bag mini pretzels, 1 container pumpkin seeds.  Stir to mix up
• Pour the sauce over the crackers and stir to evenly coat (I usually have to do this in 2 bowls because I don't have 1 bowl that is big enough to hold it all) 
• Pour out on 2 baking sheets and bake in a 325 degree oven for 25 (stirring every 8 min to prevent burning
• Turn out on a paper sack and let cool
• Add the fall fixings and stir to mix. 
• Store in zip lock bags or air tight containers

Fall Mix in Ideas

• Caramel corn
• Dried apples
• Candy Corns
• Reese's Pieces 
• Honey Roasted peanuts
• Caramel bits

It makes a ton so it's perfect to share with neighbors and friends. 

Now That's A Party! - Halloween Party

 Here are some awesome recipes for a kid friendly Halloween party. 

Store bought treats

Boo Sticks - Draw a ghost face on some white cheese sticks

Jack-o-Lantern Cuties - Draw a jack-o-lantern face on mini oranges

Homemade Treats

Witch Fingers - 1. Cut Celery sticks into finger shapes. 2. Spread backside with peanut butter. 3. Use a bit of PB on a dried cranberry for the nail. 

Mini Mummy Dogs - 1. cut hotdog in half. 2. Cut croissant dough into strips. 3. Wrap the dogs with the croissant strips. 4. Bake a 375 for 12-15 min. 

Pumpkin Cheese Ball

1. In a mixing bowl combine: 1 package softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup minced orange pepper, 1 sliced green onion, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp garlic salt (optional) 1/2 cup chopped chipped beef 

2. Form into a ball and cover outside with more cheddar cheese. Wrap in plastic wrap.  Use string to wrap around forming the pumpkin shape.  Refrigerate at least 1 hour. 

3. To serve, remove string and plastic wrap and top with the orange bell pepper top 

Witches Brew Punch - Combine lime sherbet, sprite and green koolaid.  

To have the misty effect, place some dry ice in a container below the punch and when you pour some water on it, it will mist and bubble. **Don't touch dry ice with bear skin, it will burn. Use tongs. 

Add Halloween cookies and or cupcakes and you have yourself a spooky party! 

Quick Sourdough Bread Recipe

 

Ingredients 

1/4 cup active sourdough starter

 **See Starter recipe and instructions here **

1 and 1/2 cup water

4 cups flour

2 tsp salt

1 tsp yeast

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in bread machine on dough setting.

2. Turn out dough and form into bread loaf

3. Place on greased parchment paper inside a bowl and cover with a towel

4. Allow dough to rise to double in size

5. Preheat a dutch oven with lid in your oven to 425 degree

6. Cut slits into the bread for baking with a razor

7. Place dough and parchment paper inside the dutch oven and top with lid

8. Bake at 425 for 20 mind

9. Lower oven temp to 400 degrees and remove the dutch oven lid

10. Bake for 30-35 more mins. 

Bread should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom

Sourdough Starter

 

1 cup water

1 cup bread flour

1 tsp yeast

To Feed: 

1/2 cup bread flour

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup sourdough mixture

(Discard the rest) 

Either store on counter to feed every day or two or in the fridge to feed every week 

Depending on how much you are using.  

Sourdough Discard Hot Dog Buns

 

Ingredients 

1 cup milk

1/2 cup sourdough discard

3 cups flour

2 Tbsp sugar

2 tsp yeast

2 Tbsp oil

1 tsp salt

Directions

1. In a bread maker place all ingredients and use the dough setting 

2. turn out dough on a greased surface and divid dough into 12 sections

3. roll each section into a log and place in a greased 9x13 baking dish 

4. Cover with plastic wrap or a towel and let rise to double in size

5. Bake buns in a 400 degree oven for 20 mins

6. Brush with melted butter and let cool

7. Slice or cut out center of each bun to fit the hot dog

Eat right away or store in freezer until ready to use. 

Sourdough Discard Cereal 3 Flavors

 Classic Cinnamon Sugar Cereal

Ingredients 

1 stick cold butter, sliced

1/2 cup sourdough discard

1 Tbsp ground cinnamon

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cup flour

Extra cinnamon/sugar to sprinkle on top

Directions

1. In a food processor combine all ingredients (except topping cinnamon sugar) and mix on high until combined and a dough is formed

2. Form dough ball and divide into 8 sections. 

3. Roll each section out as thin as you can on parchment paper *I can usually fit 2 rolled out sections on 1 cookie sheet

**I use my pasta machine and roll out to a 5 

4. Cut each rolled out section into small squares and put on a cookie sheet (dough squares and parchment paper) 

5. Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on top of each piece 

6. Bake at 350 form 8-10 min.  Let cool completely and store in an airtight container

7. Serve with milk 

Apple Pie Variation 

1. In a food processor crush 1 bag of freeze dried apples into a powder and add to regular recipe 

2. Also add 1/2 tsp nutmeg and 1/4 tsp ground ginger 

3. Follow regular recipe from there. 

Blueberry Variation 

Ingredients

1 package freeze dried blueberries 

1 stick cold butter, sliced

1/2 cup sourdough discard

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cup flour

Extra sugar to sprinkle on top

Directions

1. In a food processor crush freeze dried blueberries into a powder

2. Add all other ingredients and combine and mix on high until combined and a dough is formed

3. Form dough ball and divide into 8 sections. 

4. Roll each section out as thin as you can on parchment paper *I can usually fit 2 rolled out sections on 1 cookie sheet

**I use my pasta machine and roll out to a 5 

5. Cut each rolled out section into small squares and put on a cookie sheet (dough squares and parchment paper) 

6. Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle some sugar on top of each piece 

7. Bake at 350 form 8-10 min.  Let cool completely and store in an airtight container

8. Serve with milk

Sourdough Discard Cheese Crackers

Ingredients

1 stick butter

1 1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup sourdough discard

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

2 tsp salt

Directions

1. In a food processor combine all ingredients until it forms a dough

2. divide dough into 8 parts

3. roll each section out to a thin as possible (I use my pasta roller on setting 7 then setting 5) 

4. place each rolled out section on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.  

5. Cut each section into small square or use a fish cutter (as shown in picture) 

6. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 min until baked but not too browned

7.  Allow to cool and store in an air tight container.  

 

Sourdough Discard Iced Animal Cookies

 Cookie Ingredients 

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1 egg

1/2 cup sourdough discard

2 cups white flour

1/2 cup wheat flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp almond extract

Icing Ingredients 

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 Tbsp meringue powder

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp butter extract 

1-2 Tbsp water

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together to form dough

2. Chill dough for about an hour

3. Roll out on floured surface to about 1/8 in thickness 

4. Cut shapes and bake for 10 min at 350 degrees

5. Let cool completely

6. Mix icing ingredients until smooth and thin (adding more or less water until you get the right consistency) 

7. Dip each cookie in the icing and scrap off excess on the side of a bowl

8. Top each cookie with sprinkles and allow to dry

9. Store in a container

Great Day KC Back to School Lunches

In this segment for Great Day KC I share some back to school lunch ideas. 

Back to School - Snack Recipes

Oh Wow, already time to go back to school! Here are some healthy (ish) and yummy snack recipes to send your kids back to school with energy and full tummies.   I hope you and your kids enjoy them.  

Cherry Chocolate Energy Bars

• In a mixing bowl mix 1 stick of softened butter ½ agave nectar or honey and ½ cup of natural peanut butter (make sure to mix the PB well before adding)
• Add 1 egg, ½ cup packed brown sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract and mix
• In a separate bowl combine ½ cup whole wheat flour, 4 ½ cup of rolled oats, 1 tsp baking soda and a dash of salt
• Carefully add the dry ingredients to the mixing bowl and combine
• Chop up 1 cup of dried cherries and add them to the mixing bowl
• Add 1 cup of mini chocolate chip and mix a final time
• Grease an oblong baking dish and turn out the dough, flatten with a spatula and more with your grease hands
• Bake in a 325 degree oven for 15-20 min
• Allow to cool and cut into bars 
• Store in the refrigerator. 

Fruit Roll-ups 

I originally got this recipe from ourbestbites.com but I adapted to my own preferences. http://ourbestbites.com/2011/09/how-to-make-homemade-fruit-roll-ups/

• Add 3 cups of fresh fruit (any combination) and 3 Tbsp agave nectar or honey to a blender or food processor. Blend into a puree
• Cover a baking sheet with freezer paper (shiny side up) and spray with cooking spray
• Pour puree over the paper and flatten and even out with a spatula
• Bake in a 170 degree oven for 6-8 hours, until completely dried out
• Cut into strips and roll up.  Secure with a piece of double sided tape at the top
• Store in an air tight container

Jazzed Up Chex Mix 

• Melt 1 stick of butter in the microwave and add 2/3 cup Worcestershire sauce, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder (if you like a stronger flavor your can add 2 tsp of onion and garlic powder), stir to combine. 
• In a very large bowl add 1 box of the corn chex, 1 box of rice chex, 1 box of golden grahams, 1 bag of plain goldfish crackers, 1 bag of cheddar goldfish crackers and 1 bag of pretzel goldfish crackers. Stir to mix up
• Pour the sauce over the crackers and stir to evenly coat
• Pour out on 2 baking sheets and bake in a degree oven for 25 (stiring every 8 min to prevent burning
• Turn out on a paper sack and let cool
• Add a bag of banana chips and stir to mix. 
• Store in zip lock bags. 

Apple of My Eye - Apple Recipes

Apple Pie Applesauce

1. Wash, peel, core and cut 6 lbs of apples and place them in a heavy bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven.  

2. Add 2 cups of Apple Cider, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ground ginger
3. Boil until soft (about 20-30 min) Stirring to make sure all the apples get cooked.
4. Puree apples in a food processor and put back in the pot.
5. Add 1/2 cup sugar (1/4 cup brown, 1/4 cup white) 1 tsp butter and a pinch of salt, stir .
6. Taste and make adjustments (ex. more sugar, more cider)
Store in refrigerator or can for later.  (See the "I Think I Can, Canning" episode for canning instructions)

Wassail Applesauce 

1. Wash, peel, core and cut 6 lbs of apples and place them in a heavy bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven.
2. Add 2 cups of Orange Juice, 1 can crushed pineapple, pinch of ground cloves, 1 cinnamon stick (or 1 tsp ground cinnamon)
3. Boil until soft (about 20-30 min) Stirring to make sure all the apples get cooked. (Make sure to remove the cinnamon stick)
4. Puree apples in a food processor and put back in the pot.
5. Add 1/2 cup sugar (1/4 cup brown, 1/4 cup white) 1 tsp butter and a pinch of salt, stir .
6. Taste and make adjustments (ex. more sugar, more cider)
Store in refrigerator or can for later.  (See the "I Think I Can, Canning" episode for canning instructions)

Apple Butter

1. Wash, peel, core and cut 6 lbs of apples and place them in a heavy bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven.
2. Add 2 cups apple cider and boil until soft (about 20-30 min) Stirring to make sure all the apples get cooked.
3. Puree apples in a food processor and put back in the pot.
4. Add 2 cups of orange juice, a pinch of allspice, a pinch of cinnamon and stir
5. Cover and Bring back to a boil, cook until the mixture is thick and a dark brown color.  Stir often to prevent burning.  You know it is done when the butter sits on the back of a wooden spoon without running off the sides.
Store in refrigerator or can for later.  (See the "I Think I Can, Canning" episode for canning instructions)

Apple Fritter Donut Holes

1. Cut biscuits into 4ths
2. Deep fry until golden brown 
3. Roll in cinnamon/sugar

4.Chop up 1 tart apple into small pieces and saute in 1 Tbsp butter and 2 Tbsp sugar until soft

5.Pour over the donut holes and toss to coat

Serve hot and enjoy!

Apple Pie

2 pie crusts

6 tart apples (peeled, cored & thinly sliced)

3/4 cup sugar (1/2 cup white, 1/4 cup brown)

1 1/2 Tbsp flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1. Preheat oven to 400
2. Combine sugar, apples, flour and spices in a bowl
3. Pour into bottom crust
4. Dot with butter
5. Add top crust
6. Bake 40-50 min