If you’re looking for a fantastic way to cook up your sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving this year, look no further! These creamy sweet potatoes are topped off with sugary pecans for the perfect combo of soft and chewy, sweet and savory.
Made using fresh sweet potatoes, pecans, and maple syrup, they’re absolutely packed with the flavors of fall.
This side dish is also simple to make – and easy to make ahead – so you won’t get overwhelmed by adding it to your holiday menu.
Continue readingPopcorn is a favorite snack around here – and these bars are such a fun way to dress it up. This is a no-bake treat, so it’s a great one to get the kids helping with!
Popcorn is tossed together with oats, dried fruit, and nuts, and covered in a honey syrup – each bite is a mix of sweet and salty. It’s also hearty enough to hold my very hungry kid-apillars over until dinner so they’re a favorite after school snack here!
Continue readingThese beef skewers are one of my favorite prep-ahead meals during the summer. I’ll prep them the night before along with some cold salads and then have dinner on the (picnic) table in only fifteen minutes.
They’re sweet and tender and the long marinade time makes them burst with flavor. Whether you’re hosting company or just trying to feed your own family fast, these will be a hit.
Continue readingThis post is sponsored in conjunction with #AppleWeek . I received complimentary product from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the #AppleWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.
Growing up, one of my favorite treats was lunch at the pizza buffet. And my favorite dessert there? Apple pie pizza. This recreation isn’t the same one I grew up with – it’s better.
Homemade pizza dough and homemade apple pie filling give this a fresh taste – unlike the mostly-processed one I remember from childhood.
If there’s one thing you need in your wheelhouse for grilling season, it’s a great grilled chicken. Something easy, but delicious; flavorful, but versatile.
Luckily, I’ve got you covered. This grilled chicken is the best.
Side dishes are on my list of “things I regularly forget about”. I’m not the only one that can plan main dishes for every night and conveniently forget that I should serve something along with it, right?
Except Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is all about the sides for me. And this would be a great one.
Continue readingThis post is sponsored in conjunction with AppleWeek . I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the AppleWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.
Hasselback apples. Or as I like to call it: small batch apple crisp. While this can surely be sized up for a crowd (and wouldn’t this make a lovely dessert for a fall dinner party?!) it’s really perfect when you need a dessert for two.
This was Jake’s personal favorite from all of my #appleweek cooking. He raved about it for days!
This is a pretty basic dish which really lets the apple shine through. The bake times included are for a firm apple. If you’re using a softer variety, you’ll want to cut the bake times a little so your apple doesn’t mush.
Also, a sharp knife is really going to help here it’s hard to get the nice thin slices without one. I used my Swiss Diamond Knife and it was perfect.
And don’t forget, you can enter to win prizes from Swiss Diamond, Flahavan’s, and the other #appleweek sponsors here: a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hasselback Apples
(adapted from My Recipes)
Serves 2
1 large, firm apple
2 Tbsp. brown sugar, divided
1 Tbsp. butter, melted, divided
1/2 tsp. cinnamon, divided
1 Tbsp. Irish oatmeal (I used Flahavan’s)
1/2 tsp. all purpose flour
Dash of salt
Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Peel and core the apple and slice in half. Place the apple halves cut-side down and slice thinly most of the way through, leaving the bottom attached.
Spray a small baking dish with non-stick spray. Transfer the apples to the baking dish.
Combine 1 1/2 tsp. brown sugar, 1/2 Tbsp. butter, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon. Brush evenly over the apple.
Cover the pan with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes. Remove and let cool for a few minutes.
Combine remaining sugar, butter, cinnamon, oats, flour and salt. Spoon evenly over the apples. Bake for an additional 10 minutes. Broil for 2 minutes to crisp up the top. Serve with ice cream.
More apple goodies this way! Check out Tuesday’s Recipes:
Disclaimer: Thank you AppleWeek Sponsors: Swiss Diamond, Nordic Ware, Envy Apples, Imperial Sugar, The Spice House, Rodelle Vanilla, Flahavan’s Irish Oats and Nairn’s for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for AppleWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The AppleWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Seven (7) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The AppleWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the AppleWeek posts or entry.
What’s everyone up to today? Any crazy holiday prep going on?
Things here are actually pretty mellow. The cookies are all baked. The gifts are all bought and wrapped. It’s almost lunchtime and we’re all still our pajamas. All we have planned really is a liquor store run and a nap. Not bad for the day before Christmas Eve!
If you’re looking for one more treat to make or need a last-minute dessert, this cracker toffee is the way to go. It takes about 20 minutes to make, then you cool it and break it up. It, by design, doesn’t have to look perfect so you don’t need to stress details today and there’s a good chance you already have the ingredients on hand!
I hope you’re all settling in for a lovely holiday with people you love. Merry Christmas from me and the crw!
Cracker Toffee
(from Little Dairy on the Prairie)
Makes 1 sheet pan full
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
Saltine crackers or Matzo
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Sprinkles, for decorating
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Line the pan with saltines or matzo so they cover the whole bottom without overlapping. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, combine the butter and brown sugar over medium-low heat. Stir constantly until it reaches a boil, then remove the spoon and let boil for 3 minutes. Pour the hot mixture over the saltines as evenly as possible and transfer the pan to the oven to bake for 5 minutes.
Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with chocolate chips. Let sit for a few minutes then spread the chocolate evenly over the crackers. Top with sprinkles, if desired, and put the pan in a cool place to set.
Once completely cooled and the chocolate has set, break into pieces and serve.
