Apple Pie Parfait

This was my breakfast this morning. Sometimes if I'm craving something sweet I'll make this as a healthy snack. As I was eating it I thought granola would taste good mixed in as well. Oh well maybe next time.

Apple Pie Parfait

Ingredients

¼ cup chopped apple

1 teaspoon brown sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup vanilla yogurt

Chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

Mix sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle half of it over the apples.  Now either you can stop at that or you can place the apple in the microwave for 30 seconds. (I did the microwave) In another bowl mix the remaining cinnamon sugar and yogurt. Top with apples and walnuts. Enjoy! 

Apple Chips

To kick of Applepaloosa I thought we would try something simple. I love love love these chips. They are super easy to make and delicious. I usually end up eating most of them right away. 

Apple Chips

Ingredients

2 apples (I used Gala)

3 tbsp granulated sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon powder


Directions

Mix the sugar and cinnamon powder in a small bowl and keep aside. Line your baking trays with parchment paper
Wash and dry the apples. Cut off a thin slice off the top and the bottom of each apple. Slice them as thinly as you can, using a sharp knife or a mandoline. I cored the apples before slicing them but you don’t have too.

Lay the slices in a single layer, close to each other. Sprinkle half of the sugar evenly on the apple slices. 

Bake them at 200 for about 1 hour flip them over and sprinkle the reaming sugar over the apples and bake for another hour until dry and crisp. 

APPLEPALOOZA!!!

ARE YOU EXCITED!!!! I know I am. 

Next weekend is applepalooza here at Stella Blue's and I guarantee at least one applegasm with every recipe. I'm in the process of picking out recipes and just a warning, I love apples. So much so you could say I less than three them. (psssst! that's I <3 them in nerd/geek lingo) 

Anyway...

I have about 15 options that I have to narrow down to 3. Wish me luck! 

Orange Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie

If you notice I used the same oatmeal cookie recipe as the Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie I made earlier. Feel free to change the mix ins. Try combos like cherry pecan or white chocolate macadamia nut.

Orange Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 cup unsalted butter, at softened

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

2.5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup (6 oz bag) dried cranberries

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

3 tablespoons orange juice

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a cookie sheet with parchment. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and both sugars until creamy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, then the vanilla, beating well after each addition. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Stir in the oats and cranberries.

Drop dough 2 inches apart onto the cookie sheet. Bake until golden around the edges, about 15 minutes. Let sit on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a rack to cool.  

Mix orange zest, juice and sugar together. Drizzle over cookies.

Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 cup unsalted butter, at softened

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

2.5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

2 cups (12 oz bag) dark chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a cookie sheet with parchment. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and both sugars until creamy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, then the vanilla, beating well after each addition. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Stir in the oats and chocolate chips.

Drop dough 2 inches apart onto the cookie sheet. Bake until golden around the edges, about 15 minutes. Let sit on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a rack to cool.

Chicken Parmesan Soup

Chicken Parmesan Soup 
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic
1 large onion, chopped
2 cans of crushed tomatoes (28ounces)
4 cups chicken stock
4 boneless skinless chicken thighs, cooked and shredded
1 tablespoon basil
1 table spoon parsley
Pasta of your choice (broken up angel hair or spaghetti works best)
½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions
Place a large pot over medium-high heat and add olive oil, garlic and onion. Cook until onions are tender about 3-4 minutes. Add tomatoes, stock, chicken, spices and bring to a boil. Add Pasta. Season with salt and pepper let simmer for 10 minutes until pasta is cooked. Add grated parmesan cheese before serving.

Apple Cheddar Bacon Sandwich

Apple Cheddar Bacon Sandwich 
Ingredients
Bread ( I used a ciabatta roll)
Bacon, cooked
Apple, sliced about ¼ inch thick
Sharp Cheddar Cheese,

Directions
Layer the apple slices, cooked bacon and cheese on the bread. Place in a panini press (or if you don’t have one use the stove top or waffle iron) Cook till cheese is melted.