Apple Nachos

OH MY!!  YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!  :oP  We GOBBLED these up RIGHT away!  The cool thing about this, you can make these a few different ways!  I made them a bit healthy tonite, just because we had fried chicken in the Chinese Lemon Chicken....

Yes, peanut butter isn't 100% healthy, but it is a bit better than using caramel sauce!  ;)

I'm not gonna write out the recipe, because it will vary from person to person..  But here's what you will need,
Sharp Knife
Apples, how many ever you want/need, I used 3 tonite.... (I had 3 different kinds of apples too, one small, one medium and one large!  ;))
Peanut butter, warmed in a bowl (for those of you allergic to peanuts, you could use sunflower butter)
Mini chocolate chips

Cut your apple in slices, warm the peanut butter and drizzle how much you want all over the apples, then sprinkle the mini chocolate chips on top!  ;)

Then EAT and enjoy!!!  :)

You could also use chocolate sauce, and then sprinkle peanut butter chips on top....

Or:
Drizzle caramel sauce all over, sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top, and then make some whipping cream and put little dollops all over!  ;)

Really, the possibilities are endless for these nachos!

Seriously, try them and let me know what combo you use!  I'm curious if there are any other combos!

Oh one more I forgot..  Hubby said to drizzle peanut butter, then sprinkle raisins and mini chocolate chips all over....  ;)

Quinoa Porridge

I honestly wasn't too sure about this.  I haven't been rinsing my quinoa like all the recipes say you are supposed too.  But this time I did, and I'm not gonna lie, I really did notice a difference!  So from here on out, I'll be taking the time to rinse those little tiny things!  ;)

I just took a coffee filter and placed it inside a strainer, then poured in how much qunioa I wanted in the strainer.   Then put it under the faucet to rinse it.  Pretty easy!  ;)

The kids really liked this!  My lil man didn't gobble it down like his older sisters and brother did, but he did eat some of it!  ;)  I ate a small bowl and liked it!

You could put anything in this porridge!  I used cinnamon, an apple and raisins and chopped walnuts.

This is actually pretty easy too!  The health benefits of quinoa are just awesome!  :)

Rinsed the qunioa, placed it in my water, brought it to a boil, then put the lid on and simmered it for 15 minutes.  The whole time I was in and out of the shower, perfect timing!  :)  Once the 15 minutes were up, I poured in the goodies, then about 1 cup of milk.  Let it simmer for a few more minutes, and viola, it's done!  :)  If you wanted it to be sweet, you could add a bit of pure maple syrup or honey.  i did not add any of that and I was able to eat it!  So that tells you something!  ;)

You could add fresh peaches, strawberries, blueberries, or you could do applesauce and cinnamon, really, anything goes!  ;)


Qunioa Porridge

1 cup rinsed quinoa
2 cups water
1 - 1 1/2 cups milk
and any "toppings" you want....  apples, cinnamon, chopped walnuts, raisins, cranberries, any other dried fruit or any other fresh fruit

Bring the qunioa and water to a boil, uncovered, once boiling, turn down heat to a simmer and simmer with the lid on for 15 minutes.  If the water hasn't absorbed completely, that's ok...  ;)  Add your toppings and milk and simmer until desired porridge consistency!

Yummy and easy!  You could make this the nite before and just heat up in the morning for a fast breakfast!
Let me know if you try it and what combo of toppings you use!  :)

 Quinoa before the boil...

 Quinoa after the boil and simmer for 15 minutes

 All toppings in the pot, I left the skin on the apples... not only is it pretty, but there is many health benefits to leaving the skin on!  ;)

 Toppings and milk added

 All stirred up, needs to simmer for a bit...

I probably shouldn't have let it cook as long, but with little kids fighting in the morning, I kinda had to let it cook a bit longer...  I could've added a bit more milk, but they were ready to eat!  ;)

Whipped Maple Apple Dip

I found this on Pinterest!
Anyone else somewhat addicted to it (Pinterest)?  Well, I really can't be, I don't have a whole lot of spare time...  I usually just go through a few categories and hit like and repin if it's something I want to remember!  ;)  SOOOOOO many cool ideas on there!

Anyways, I did find this on there.  SOOOOO good!  The kids GOBBLED this down!  We had just gotten some fresh apples from the farm, so it was PERFECT to make this for their snack that nite!

REALLY easy too!  :)  REALLLLLY good on FRESH from the tree or farm apples!  :oP


Whipped Maple Apple Dip

1 cup heavy whipping cream
1-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (none of that fake "pancake" syrup stuff!  ;))

Whip cream and  syrup together in a mixer with the whisk until it's whipped topping.  Serve with apples of graham crackers.
Super good and easy!!  :)

If there are any leftovers, you can store them in the frig for 1-2 days.
I had no leftovers, so no need to store any!  ;)

Try it and let me know how you like it!  SOOOO good and easy!!!  :D
My kids LOOOOOOVED it!!!  :D

Peanut Butter/Chocolate Dip (or sunflower butter)



I could've eaten this whole batch! It was SOOOO good!  Even healthier if you use the natural peanut butter, but since I didn't have any, I used regular creamy! 

I'm thinking cashew and almond butter would be good, even sunflower butter for those who are allergic to nuts, that way they can enjoy this yummy goodness as well!

I served this with apples, banana and 2 graham crackers.  You could use strawberries, marshmallows, pretzel sticks, etc....  I used what I did since that's all I had!  ;)

Super easy to make, and actually pretty good for you, minus the chocolate sauce, but again, you don't "have" to add it...  It just gives it that little bit of chocolate kick which makes it taste even better!  ;)

Here is a bit of cream cheese, carrots, peanut butter and chocolate sauce

Mix it all up!  Ok, in the green bowl, it doesn't look the greatest, but then again it almost looks like a chocolate shake stirred up REALLY good!  ;)

Here's what I served it with, an egg puff (recipe coming SUPER soon, maybe tomorrow? ;)), that was their "lunch", graham crackers, banana, and half an apple cut into slices.

This lunch was not only EASY, it was GOOD and healthy!  Which y'all know I'm all about!  ;)  Easy and healthy!  That's what I like with 4 littles and 2 more coming!  :)

Peanut Butter/Chocolate Dip (or Sunflower Butter)

1-2 oz cream cheese (depends on how much you want, I use almost 2, but will use 1 next time)
1/2 cup natural creamy peanut, almond, cashew, or sunflower butter
1/4 carrot puree
6 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients together until nice and creamy.  Keep in frig until ready to serve, or just start eating it right away like I did!  ;)  Give me some credit, I HAD to make sure it was worthy enough for the kids!  Just make sure you save enough for them!
Notice in the last picture, they only got about a heaping tablespoon full....  ;)  I am not gonna say if that's how much was left, or if I chose to give them only that much!  ;)

Seriously EASY and good!  Let me know how you like it! 

This would be a GREAT game nite snack, make a big bowl of it, serve it with graham crackers, cinnamon and sugar pita chips or tortilla crisps, marshmallows, pretzel sticks, apples, bananas, pears....  Yummy.....  :)

*Just a note, my kids were actually full after eating this and didn't ask for more.  Now, I am not sure if it was because I made them soaked oatmeal for breakfast, so that fills them up even more, or if the egg puff really did the trick with the other goodies!  ;)

Dried Apples

These smelled sooooo good while baking! I have a good dehydrator and have used it many times this summer with fresh strawberries and apples this fall... But I've never made it in the oven.

For a few reasons I tried it in the oven...
1- I wanted to see how long it would take...
2- See if it tasted any different - and
3- Well, I was just curious! ;)

It is easier to do it in the oven because it didn't stick to my stone at all! Now, if you use anything else, or a stone that isn't as seasoned as mine, it may stick a bit more.. I really don't know. You could always use some parchment paper on the pan before putting your apples, or whatever fruit you decide to do...

I tried making some fruit leather with banana's, strawberries and orange juice, I blended it all in my Vitamix. I poured it on my parchment paper on a stone, (the bar pan it's called). I didn't like how it turned out, so will change the temp setting and how long I keep it in before I post it all. Not only is fruit leather healthier for you, it's WAY cheaper! You have the option of putting sugar, if ANY in it! I chose not to put any in, you don't need any! The fruit is soo good by itself, and if it a bit tart, just add some banana's or something that would mellow it all out!

Ok, not that I have kinda gone away from the dried apples... ;)


Dried Apples

2 Apples of your choice (I used Macintosh, GREAT flavor! I think Honey Crisp and Granny Smith would be awesome as well!)
Lemon juice, only if you want your apples to not turn a brown color right away... ;)

Grate your apples and spread them on a cookie sheet.
Place them in a 280d oven until dried and slightly crispy.
Take off pan if you have any left by the time they are done! ;)
And store in an airtight container or baggies, and ENJOY!! I am telling you, they won't last long at all! I recommend making more than one batch at a time!!! :D SUPER easy and SUPER healthy! You can do thin slices if you want! ;)
(Hopefully this makes sense and if it doesn't, call, e-mail or leave a comment and will talk you through it! But really, it's soooo easy!!! I think I baked mine for about 5 hours? not 100% sure on that one though! :\)



Peel, core and I cut mine in half, your apples


Grate your apples onto a pan


Here they are... They turned kinda brown, but it's ok! Thin it out as best as you can! You could put them in a bowl and sprinkle lemon juice over the top and stir a bit before placing on a pan to help prevent them from browning...


Tried to take a pic of how thick it is... ;)


Here they are, all nice and brown and PERFECT!!!!!! :D


I seriously ate half the pan before they were even done! The kiddos really didn't get much! But, I got some more apples and will make some more for them! I can see these going REALLY fast!!!!

Fruit and Oat Muesli

Once again, I am back! It's been crazy! I can't believe it's already Thursday! Not only that, but FEBRUARY!! What happened to January?

My lil man who got the black eye is doing soo much better! I am tellin ya', if I wasn't putting that arnica on it, it would be way worse!

We also had some company this week-end, so I put off posting recipes! But I am ready to go, and am praying that I will have the time to keep getting on up everyday!!! Ya know, running around after 4 lil ones, and teaching 3 of them, it does have it's challenges! But I LOVE it and I would NOT trade it for anything!!! :D

I wanted something easy and fast, but healthy and good for my kids this morning. My kids love oatmeal, and I still have a ton of it in my freezer, but I didn't just want to do the basic, same ole same ole for them. SO.... Got my creative juices flowing and this is what we did!

They LOVED it, I tried it, in all honesty, I am not a huge fan of it! I think it's the greek yogurt. They LOVE it, me, not so much. You could use regular yogurt as well. I am thinking if I would've used that, then I could've eaten it...


Add your orange juice....


And milk.....


And yogurt....


And vanilla to a bowl... stir to combine


Then add your oats


Stir it up to combine


Here's what it looks like after it's sat for 10 minutes!


Add your chopped, diced apples (you can peel them or leave the peeling on... For the sake of my littlest one, I left the peelings off... )


And then the chopped almonds (I got a little slap happy with my Vitamix and chopping almonds! ;))


Here it is all done! Sorry, I didn't take the time to photoshop these pics, esp this one, it's a bit orangey looking... My kitchen lighting stinks! ;)




Fruit and Oat Muesli

2/3 cups orange juice
2/3 cup milk
2/3 cup plain greek yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups quick cooking oats
2 medium peeled and chopped apples
1/2 - 1 cup chopped almonds
3 bananas

Mix orange juice, milk, yogurt and vanilla in bowl until well combined. Add oats and let sit for 5 - 10 minutes.
Add chopped apples and almonds, stir to combine. Add the sliced bananas and stir.
Serve!
Enjoy!!!!

Tropic Tango Smoothie

This is soooo good! I was a little unsure about it, but it's really good!


The kids LOVE it too! So that is a PLUS!!!


The spinach makes it GREEN, but the kids love that as well! They wondered why it was green, they were trying to figure out what was in it... ;) I told them that I put spinach in it, they were pretty excited!


Peeling the lime wasn't the best, but it is worth it!



All ingredients in the Vita-Mix ready to go!!!


Yummy green smoothie! It really is good! (My hubs tried it and he drank it! So, if he drank it, you KNOW it's gotta be good!!! ;))

Tropic Tango Smoothie

1 cup water
1 lime, peeled and halved
2 medium banana's, peeled
1 -2 cups spinach
3 medium apples
1-2 cup ice cubes

Place all ingredients in Vita-Mix or blender in the order listed.

Select Variable 1, turn machine on and quickly to Variable 10, then to High.

Blend for 1 minute or until desired consistency is reached.

If using a regular blender, start on low speed and then increase to High, blend until desired consistency!

This is a GREAT way to start your morning off! It's super healthy and you get that burst of nutrients and vitamins with the spinach in there! ;)

Enjoy!!! :D

Fruit Dumplings

This is sooooo good!!! What an easy fall recipe!!! If you like apple dumplings, then you will LOVE this!!! It's just a little bit different, you roll it up and pour a sugary sauce over the top, yummo!!! :oP My mouth is watering just thinking about these! I am thinking I may even have to make more. You sure, I made these a few days ago and they are gone! ;)


I used 2 large granny smith apples


Flour, baking powder and salt


The shortening


Then added the milk (you could use rice milk)


Stir it all up with a fork


Nice round ball, place on somewhat floured surface so it doesn't stick when you roll it out


Roll it out to a nice long rectangle


Place apples on the rolled out dough


Roll it up


All rolled up


Cut and place in baking dish (I used my 9x13 Pampered Chef stone)


Making the "syrup".. sugar, water, cinnamon and flour, bring it to a boil, then....


... dump it over the cut up dumplings


They will kinda swell, smells soooo good! Place in preheated oven (don't cover!!!)


All baked, oh my, I sooo wish this was a scratch and sniff picture! My mouth is watering, I think I need to make another batch of these bad boys!!!


Up close of it.... ;)


The inside of the fruit dumpling



Now with a bit of milk. I honestly didn't think I would like it with the milk, but I really did! As a kid, I never added milk to my apple dumpling, my dad and mom would, but I didn't like soggy things, but ya know, this was just perfect! :)





Fruit Dumplings

Prepare 2-3 cups finely chopped fresh fruit, like apples, peaches, rhubarb, etc... Set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare 1 recipe biscuit dough (it's at the bottom)
Roll dough into a large rectangle, cover thickly with fruit. Sprinkle with cinnamon and roll up and cut into 1 inch rings. Place in greased 9x13 inch pan.
Combine this in saucepan:
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1 cup cold water
Let it come to a boil and pour over dumplings. Bake 45 minutes. Serve warm with milk.

Basic Biscuits

Sift together in a bowl:
2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cut in:
1/4 cup shortening
Add all at once stirring until soft ball is formed:
3/4 cup milk

Turn dough onto floured surface and knead lightly 20-25 times.
(then do the rest like the recipe says at the top!)

*I didn't add the cinnamon before rolling, I put it in the sugar mixture I made.
This was really easy and it tastes soooooo good!!!!
Don't let the biscuit intimidate you, it is so easy to make!
I used apples, but would love to try it with other fruits!!! Even a apple and raisin combo!
I also used coconut oil (go figure huh? haha) instead of shortening. It worked GREAT!!!
You could also use Rice milk instead of regular milk. I am not sure about Almond, it may give you a different flavor...