French Apple Pie

I was looking for my apple pie recipe and made the grave realization that I had not put it on the blog yet. This makes baking with my phone on the counter impossible. So I went and dug out the paper copy. I also forgot to buy apples at the store! So no picture yet. Anyway, this is a recipe I found on the back of a pastry box. I tried it on a whim, and not only is it fool-proof (I am a kitchen fool, you realize) but it is delicious and elicits many compliments. The peeling, coring, & slicing of the apples is the hard part- maybe get someone else to do that part.

1 ready to bake pie crust (rolled up in the refrigerated section of the grocery store)
1/2 c sugar
1/4 c cornstarch
1/2 tea nutmeg
1/4 tea cinnamon
1/4 tea salt
6 c cored, peeled, thinly sliced tart baking apples (I like granny smith, about 4-5 medium sized)
1 c flour
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c butter

Prepare the crust according to instructions in a 9 in pie dish. Preheat the oven to 350.

Mix sugar, starch, nutmeg, cinnamon, & salt. Stir in sliced apples. Spoon apple slices into pie place. To make the crumb topping, mix together flour and brown sugar. Blend in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle atop the pie. Bake pie on a sheet pan for 1 hr 30 mins.

Peepshi

My father and I share a common bond, (well, more than just one...) and it is a deep love for all things Peeps. So when I came across this recipe I had to share.

This is anything but the standard recipe I usually post here- forgive me for being silly. But seriously- this is hilarious. And I completely intend on doing this either today... or maybe next year. Because I hate sushi- but I have a feeling I would be all for peepshi.

Side Note! I actually made these today! I could not find Fruit by the Foot- where would you even begin to look for that?! Anyway, I used Air Heads- it was a bit harder, but it worked! I also tied a bit of pull apart licorice around it. Looked super great- and certainly got more than a couple chuckles.

Dad's Eggnog

Any of you who really know my Dad probably already know about the eggnog concoction. But it is yummy. So I thought I would share it with the rest of the world.

2 parts eggnog
1 parts 7-up (only 7-up will do- Sierra Mist and Sprite are different)

Pour eggnog first, then slowly add 7-up. (watch out, there is foam)

Autumn Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

2 red delicious apples
1 sliced banana
1 Granny Smith apple
2 Bartlett pears
1/2 pound red grapes
1/2 cup almond slivers -- toasted
1 cup vanilla yogurt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon apple cider

Directions:

1. Wash and core apples and pears, peeling if desired. Cut into one inch chunks.

2. Slice bananas 1/2" thick. Wash grapes and cut in half.

3. Combine fruits and almonds in salad bowl.

4. Mix yogurt with spices and cider. Pour over fruit salad and stir to coat fruits evenly. Chill.

Note: You could add raisins, or any number of nuts to this as well! Yum!

Eggnog Cheesecake

... Could it be?! My two favorite things combined into one?! I'm trying to lose weight- but I'm so making this tonight....

Crust: (or just use a premade graham crust)
1 cup Graham cracker crumbs
1/4 tsp. Ground nutmeg
1/4 cup Sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted

Filling:
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
8 oz Cream cheese, softened
1 cup Eggnog
1/4 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Cold water
1 cup Whipping cream


Directions:

1. Combine crumbs, nutmeg, sugar, nutmeg and butter; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.

2. Soften gelatin in water; stir over low heat until dissolved. Combine cream cheese and sugar, at
medium speed on electric mixer until well blended. Gradually add eggnog and gelatin, mixing until well blended.

3. Chill until slightly thickened then fold in whipped cream. Pour into crust; refrigerate until firm.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Jen gave me the idea to hunt for a recipe for pumpkin pancakes. I have had these at Mimi's before- and they were heavenly! So season-appropriate!

In large bowl mix:

2 c. flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. brown sugar, packed
1 tsp. cinnamon

In small bowl, mix:

2 eggs
1 1/2 c. skim milk
2 tbsp. oil
1/2 c. canned pumpkin

Add small bowl mixture to large bowl. Stir just until moistened. Heat griddle, brush lightly with oil. Pour batter by 1/4 cup onto hot griddle. Makes 16 pancakes.

Caramel Apples

Ok, this is a revelation to me- caramel apples aren't hard to make! They seem so difficult and time consuming! But I made some today- and they aren't! Here's the formula:

craft sticks- like popsicle sticks
6 medium fuji apples
1 tbsp. and 2 tsp. milk
12 oz. caramels- they are soft and square (about 42 individuals)
decorations- like sprinkles, candy corn, etc.

Remove the stem from each washed apple. Spray a baking pan. Jam a craft stick into the top of the apple.
Unwrap the caramels (this is the hardest part) and place in a bowl. Add the milk and microwave for 1 minute. Stir and then return to microwave for another minute. Allow melted caramel to cool briefly.
Dip apples in melted caramel until coated evenly and allow excess to drip off. Decorate quickly and place on baking sheet. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.