Category: Apples

Posted in apple, Apples, Electric Pressure Cooker, Recipes

Pressure Cooker Applesauce (GF, DF, and Paleo) – Blog Post #6

Posted on by traci

The Wee One loves this applesauce. He had two bowlfuls at our Sunday dinner.

It take a little time to prep the apples but it’s worth it when you smell the delicious aromas of cooking apples with cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.

I used gala apples, golden delicious, and Macintosh apples at different time.  Each one was delicious as applesauce.

Instead of refined sugar, I used coconut sugar which has a lower glycemic index than white sugar.  (35 instead of 60 so your blood sugar won’t spike as easily.)

Since I’ve been loving pumpkin spice lately, I use pumpkin spice instead of cinnamon.  You can use either spice.

Cooked down apples
The applesauce

To make it Whole 30 friendly, omit the sugar.  Remember only eat a little bit of fruit while on the Whole 30 because you don’t want to feed your sugar dragon.

Pressure Cooker Applesauce

  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

– 2 to 4 pounds apples:  peeled, cored, and sliced

– ¼ c. water

– ¼ c. sugar

– 2 tsp. Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

 

Directions

  1. Prepare the apples.  Add to the pressure cooker.
  2. Pour the water over the apple.  Sprinkle the sugar and spice over the apples.  
  3. Put the lid on the pressure cooker.
  4. Manually set the pressure cooker to 5 minutes.
  5. When the apples are finished cooking, allow the pressure cooker to naturally release pressure for 20 minutes.
  6. After the pressure cooker’s pressure has been released, open the lid and place the apples in the blender.
  7. Blend until smooth.  (About a minute)
  8. Enjoy cold or warm!

Happy eating,
Traci

Almond Joy Apple Bites
Posted in apple, Apples, easy, Healthy, Recipes

“Almond Joy” Apple Bites

Posted on by traci

Quick and Easy

Apple bites are quick to put together.  All you need to do is slice up the apple, spread the apple slices with a nut butter, and then top the apple slices.  Yum!  Such a healthy snack depending on what you put on top of the apple slices.

These apple slices were topped with almond butter, coconut shreds, and cacao powder. Continue reading ““Almond Joy” Apple Bites” →

Posted in Apples, easy, Recipes, side dish

“Baked” Apples

Posted on by traci

Hubby and I love the baked apples at Frisch’s Big Boy.  When we go to eat there, we usually will order the apples as one of our side dishes.

I also like fried apples.  However I don’t usually have fried apples properly so this is an easy alternative.

You need to use a good cooking apple when making the “baked” apple.  When I made it, I used jonagold apples which was a good apple to use for this recipe.

When I made these apples, I first cored the apples and then peeled the apple.  (It really doesn’t matter which order you do it in.)  Then I cut the apple in half and then each half into fourths.  So I ended up with 8 slices per apple.

“Baked” Apple

adapted from Simply Recipes

Stars of the recipe:

  • 3 to 4 baking apples, peeled and cored
  • 2 to 3 Tbsp. of granulated sugar
  • 1 to 2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup

Steps:

  1. Slice the apples into 6 to 8 slices each.  (Depending on the size of the apple.)
  2. Place the apple slices in a microwavable bowl.
  3. Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over the apples.
  4. Microwave for 5 minutes.  (Add more time if the apples are not tender.)
  5. Drizzle maple syrup over the cooked apples.
  6. Enjoy!

I ended up adding more cinnamon to my apples.  I love lots of cinnamon.

Happy eating,
Traci

Posted in Apples, breakfast, Ingredients, Oatmeal, Recipes, Snacks

Apple Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal or Overnight Oatmeal

Posted on by traci

In August of 2010, I posted an entry for Instant Oatmeal Mix.  As we are experiencing another cold snap, oatmeal is a good way to warm up on a bitterly cold morning.

I was pursing Yummy Life‘s instant oatmeal packets’ blog entry and found some good ideas for different types of instant oatmeal.  Making your own instant oatmeal mixes is  better than the Quaker or off brand instant oatmeal packets.  You control the ingredients.  Plus it doesn’t have preservatives.

Using some of the ideas from Yummy Life and what I had around the house, I came up with an apple cinnamon instant oatmeal that is divine.

Apple Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal

20140122-155408.jpg

Stars of the recipe:

  • 2-1/4 c. Instant or Quick Oatmeal
  • 1/3 c. powdered milk
  • 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
  • 2 to 3 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/3 c. dried apples
  • 1/3 c. chopped nuts (I used cashews.)
  • 2 -3 Tbsp Chia seeds
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 2 Tbsp. vanilla powder (optional)

Steps:

  1. Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Store in an airtight container.
  3. When you are ready to make oatmeal, mix 1/2 c. of the oatmeal mix with 3/4 c. water.  (Make sure the bowl is big enough because the oatmeal with expand in the microwave.)
  4. Heat in the microwave for 90 seconds.

Or:

  1. Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Store in an airtight container.
  3. Mix 1/3 c. oatmeal mix, 1/2 c. water, and 1/4 c. yogurt in a mason jar or a similar type jar.
  4. Make sure the lid is on tightly and shake up the mixture.
  5. Place in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  6. Enjoy straight out of the fridge or allow it to warm up to room temperature before eating!

Printable Recipe

Posted in Apples, Carrots, Crockpot, Family, Holiday/Christmas, Hubby, Ingredients, Main Dish, Meat, New Year's Dinner, Pork, Recipes, Sauerkraut

Pork and Sauerkraut (A Slow Cooker Recipe)

Posted on by traci

It’s a family tradition to have pork and sauerkraut for our New Year’s dinner.  My father-in-law would make a big pot of it and family members would eat the sauerkraut so that they would have good luck for the new year.  Since he died two weeks ago, I offered to make it this year.

I made some changes to how it was cooked.  First of all I made it in my slow cooker instead of in a big stock pot.  I also roasted potatoes instead of cooking the potatoes in the slow cooker with the meat and sauerkraut.  Hubby loved it and was impressed because it didn’t have the bitter/sour taste you usually associate with sauerkraut.  He even took some to work with him to share with his co-workers.

The boys did taste the sauerkraut so they would have good luck but being kids didn’t really like it.  At least they tried it which is better than on New Year’s Eve.  I made fish for supper.  The fish was cooked with olive oil and a seasoning mix from one of my Foodie Pen Pals.  Hubby loved it but the boys wanted to give me excuses on why they could not eat it.  They still had to eat it but it was interesting on what excuses they came up with.  The best one is their brain was going to explode since I told them fish is brain food.

Now onto the recipe:

Pork and Sauerkraut in the Slow Cooker

20140101-213953.jpg

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1 -2 lbs. pork roast
  • 16 – 32 oz. of sauerkraut (depending on how much pork you have)
  • 1 big carrot or 2 small carrots, peeled and cut into small pieces
  • 1 apple, peeled and cut into small pieces
  • 1 – 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  1. Drain and rinse the sauerkraut several times to remove the brine.
  2. Place the pork roast in the bottom of the slow cooker.  (Mine is 5 qt.)  Sprinkle salt and pepper on the pork roast.
  3. In a small mixing bowl, combine the rinsed sauerkraut, apple pieces, carrot pieces, and brown sugar.
  4. Place the sauerkraut mixture on the pork roast.
  5. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours.
  6. Shred the pork and combine with the sauerkraut.
  7. Enjoy with boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes, or roasted potatoes (just serving suggestions)!

Printable Recipe

Posted in Apples, breakfast, DIY, Imaginative one, Ingredients, Recipes, Side Dishes, Snacks

Homemade Applesauce

Posted on by traci

I’m so proud of myself.  Today we were given a chance to go apple picking at one of our fellow church member’s houses.  We could take as much as we wanted which is totally cool.  The Imaginative One is a fussy eater but loves his apples and applesauce.  So I jumped at the chance.

We picked a lot of apples and made memories with the boys.  The Imaginative One ended up getting stung by a bee but was happy because the apples were absolutely delicious.  That made up for his finger being stung.

Once we got home, I washed some of the less attractive ones.  Then I peeled and cut them into smaller pieces.  I placed into one of my bigger pots, covered the apples with water, and cooked them for half and hour.  The boys then helped me puree the apples in the blender for a smoother applesauce.  The end result was a delicious applesauce.

So why am I proud of myself.  I made homemade applesauce that I know the boys will eat.  I made memories with the boys.  We picked the apples and within 2.5 hours I had applesauce.  That is why I’m proud of myself.

Homemade Applesauce

IMG_0576[1]

Stars of the recipe:

  • 3 to 4 pounds of apples, peeled and quartered (or cut smaller)
  • cinnamon to taste or cinnamon sticks
  • water
  • sugar to taste (1/4 to 3/4 c.)

Steps:

  1. Wash, peel, and cut apples.
  2. Place in a big pot and then cover with water.  Sprinkle with cinnamon or put in the cinnamon sticks.
  3. Put the pot on the stove and turn the heat on to high.
  4. Allow the water to boil and then turn to medium low.
  5. Cook until apples are tender.
  6. Either use a food mill or a blender to puree the apples.  (We used the blender.  When we did, we used the apples and some of the cooking water.)
  7. Place in a bowl.  Sprinkle with more cinnamon and sugar to taste.
  8. Enjoy warm or cooled down.

Printable Recipe

Getting washed
Ready to be cooked down
After being cooked
In the blender
Finished product
Posted in Apples, Dessert, Ingredients, Oatmeal, Pecans, Recipes, Walnuts

Individual Five Spice Apple Crisp

Posted on by traci

Last November my foodie pen pal introduced me to Chinese five spice and suggested I use it in some of my fall time recipes instead of pumpkin pie spice blend.  The five spice really does take it up a notch.  If you didn’t know, Chinese five spice is a spice blend of cinnamon, star anise, white pepper, cloves, and fennel.  It’s primarily used in Chinese cooking but is found in other cuisines.

With fall around the corner and the pumpkin spice latte already at Starbucks, it’s time to start my favorite flavor season.  I love fall flavors!  Apples, cranberries, and pumpkins, oh my goodness deliciousness.  Cinnamon is my favorite spice.  So if asked, my favorite seasons are the transition seasons – fall for it’s bold flavors and spring for it’s beauty.

I got some apples from one of our local produce stands so I decided to make myself an apple crisp.  Since the boys do not eat apple crisp, I decided to make myself my own individual apple crisp.  Instead of using cinnamon, I used the Chinese Five Spice.

Individual Five Spice Apple Crisp

IMG_0467[1]
Before cooking the crisp
IMG_0468[1]
Before cooking the crisp
Stars of the recipe:

  • 2 c. glass dish
  • 1 med. apple seeded and diced (peeled if you want to)
  • 2 tsp. Chinese Five Spice (1 tsp. and 1 tsp.)
  • 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1/4 c. quick cooking oats
  • 1/2 Tbsp. butter, cut into fourths or halves
  • Optional:  2 Tbsp. pecan or walnuts for topping

Steps:

  1. Spray your glass dish with cooking spray.
  2. Add the apples to the dish.  Sprinkle the apples with 1 tsp. of  Chinese five spice.
  3. In another dish, mix the oats, brown sugar, and the other tsp. of Chinese five spice.
  4. Evenly distribute the oat mixture over the apples.
  5. If you are using nuts on the top, sprinkle those on top of the oat mixture.
  6. Place the pats of butter over the oat mixture.
  7. Microwave for 2.5 to 3 minutes.  Careful it will be hot.
  8. Top with ice cream or whipped cream if desired.
  9. Enjoy!

Printable Recipe

Posted in Almond milk, Apples, breakfast, Drinks, Ingredients, Recipes, Smoothie, Snacks, Spinach

Apple Jack Smoothie (GF, DF, Paleo)

Posted on by traci

Smoothies are quick and delicious. They can be healthy depending on the ingredients in the smoothie.

This smoothie reminds you of Apple Jack cereal without all the sugar.

Apple Jack Smoothie

Happy Herbivore

20130504-061649.jpg

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1 c. Unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 c. Banana, frozen (Mine was not frozen. The smoothie was just more liquidity.)
  • 1 c. Fresh spinach
  • 1/2 Apple, diced
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 date (for sweetness – I left it out of mine and it was okay.)

Steps:

  1. Place in blender.
  2. Blend it until smooth.
  3. Drink and enjoy!

Printable Recipe

20130504-062251.jpg