Recipe #119: Mini Apple Pies

Another find from pinterest! Originally found here. Perfect for tailgating or parties because they are preportioned already. Super easy to make too!

You need:
2 apples, cut into 8 slices each
1 package of pie crust or make your own
3 Tbsp butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

• cut your apple into 8 wedges
• mix up the cinnamon and sugar and melt the butter
• spread out the pie crust 
• Spread butter around the surface, sprinkle liberally cinnamon and sugar
• Cut into 8 strips
• roll up and apple in each strip until entire apple is covered (make sure it overlaps a bit)
• put on a wax paper lined baking sheet coat top of each piece with left over butter and sprinkle more cinnamon and sugar 
• bake at 425 for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

I probably should have put more cinnamon and sugar on the top to give it the darker look. I ended up melting some more butter and giving the crusts one more coat and then adding more cinnamon and sugar before I served it. That made it look better and really makes sure the cinnamon taste was evident too! I want to try this again with the pastry dough...i think that would be really delicious too!

Well, confession, these were the leftover ones I didn't take out with me for tailgating, the other ones looked a little better! 

Recipe #117: Meatballs in #118 Sweet and Sour Sauce

My mom made this, and of course mine things never turn out as good as hers! Meatballs especially...I wonder if it is cause I use ground turkey instead of hamburger...

Anyways for the meatballs you need:
1lb meat
1 egg
1 onion
salt/pepper
1 or 2 slices crumbled bread
1/4 cup milk (or less)

• mix ingredients and roll to the size you want
• turn several times to brown 
• once done move to a plate lined wiht a paper towel to let oil soak out

for the Sweet and Sour Sauce you need:

1 cup water

pineapple can liquid

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup vinegar

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4-1/3 cup flour

• mix dry ingredients then add all liquid but water. Stir together
• Stir in water until it thickens 
• add a bit of ketchup to help sweeten (i did a small spoonful)
• add pineapple chuncks, green pepper and meatballs

Recipe #116: Tortilla Soup

I got this recipe ages ago from a Woman's Day magazine (you can find the recipe here), and have made it several times over the last 5 years or so, but not very recently. It was another perfect meal for a autumn feeling day! Here is my variation

You need:
2 cans chicken broth
1-2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (I borrowed some of Alex's chicken! ;) )
2 zucchini
1/2 cup corn
4-5 tomatoes, diced
pinches of pepper, red pepper, and basil
(We topped this time with cheese and tortilla chips, I did make the crispy tortilla strips one time, and have also used the torilla salad toppers...all delicious!)

• pour broth into large pot
• add zucchini and tomatoes. let them soften
• add corn and chicken
• add in spices
• let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes
• add toppings and serve!

Recipe #115: Quick and Easy Shepherd's Pie

Monday was so fallish, I needed fallish food! And for some reason, Shepherd's Pie seemed to meet the need! :) Mine is not the normal version, but one I put together in about 10 minutes before putting it in the oven!

You need:
about 6 red potatoes
1lb of ground turkey
1/2 onion
1 can of cream of mushroom
1 cup of corn
1 cup of broccoli
handful of cheese

• pierce potatoes and microwave for about 8 minutes, depending on size of potatoes
• when done, cut in half, spoon potato out, and mash
• brown meat and onion
• steam broccoli and corn
• pour ground turkey into a 9x9 dish. 
• add can of cream of mushroom and half can of water, mix together with meat
• mix veggies with meat
• add a handful of cheese.
• Top with mashed potatoes and another bit of cheese
• bake at 350 for about 15 minutes or until potato tips brown a bit

Recipe #114: Pulled Pork Tacos

A little twist on your normal tacos or BBQ pork! :)

I took the general idea from a Woman's day recipe (you should checkout their IPod app!).

It was perfect for leaving in the crock pot, heading out to church and having it ready for a quick bite when you get back!

You need: 

 double recipe of Taco/BBQ sauce found here

2 packet of taco seasoning

about 2 lbs pork loin

taco stuff: tortillas, tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream, cheese, etc

• mix taco sauce recipe in the crockpot
• add two taco seasoning packets and mix together
• put pork in crock pot and coat with sauce
• cook on high for about 3-4 hours
• in last 30 minutes, use a knife and fork to shred pork into small pieces.
• stir it several times to make sure pork is completely coated in sauce.
• enjoy in tacos with your favorite toppings!

Recipe #113: Apple Crisp

Nothing says fall like an homemade apple crisp made from hand picked apples!
Please note...I only pick and use Fuji Apples because no other apple can compare to the wonders of Fuji apples! :)

You need:
Apple filling
6 cups apples (or another fruit, peaches or blueberries are great too!)
2 cups sugar
6 Tbsp flour
1 tsp cinnamon

Topping
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups oats
3 cups flour
1 cup butter
1 cup shortening

*I had a lot of topping left over this time, so if you want to decrease the recipe a bit that would probably be okay!

• Combine filling and put in a 9x13 pan
• mix brown sugar, oats and flour in another bowl
• cut in butter and shortening
• mix together until you form a crumble topping (your fingers work great! :) )
• sprinkle on top
• bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes or when top looks brown

The trio of Apple desserts last night! Apple crisp on the left, apple pizza on the right, apple sauce in the middle!

Recipe #112: Apple Pizza

Well, after a wonderful day of apple picking we came home and I made some pizzas for the crew of hungry apple pickers! I decided the final pizza should be an apple dessert pizza! Simple, but very delicious!

You need:
Pizza Dough, I used the light whole wheat dough found here
2 apples, sliced thinly
cinnamon and sugar
caramels, cut up

• Roll out your pizza dough
• Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar all over top of surface
• spread apples evenly around surface. 
• top with a little bit more cinnamon and sugar, and caramel pieces
• I had rolled up the sides over the apples a bit, but had trouble getting it off the pizza peel and on to the stone on the grill, so that didn't work out quite right.
• grill for about 15 minutes

We cut it into long slices...Will had the leftovers for breakfast so it is a very versatile meal! :)