Baked Cinnamon Apples

6 large very tart apples, cored, sliced
1 cup granulated sugar (or 1/2 c splenda/sugar mix)
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed (or 2 T. splenda/brown sugar mix)
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
3 tablespoons cornstarch

4 tablespoons butter, sliced



Directions:

1Put all ingredients EXCEPT BUTTER into crock pot; stir well, coating all apple slices, and place slices of butter on top.
2Cook on HIGH for 1-1/2 to 2 hours OR cook on LOW 3-1/2 to 4 hours, stirring once half way through.

Serve and enjoy!

My new favorite Chili

Adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/debdoozies-blue-ribbon-chili/detail.aspx

2 pounds ground beef or ground turkey

1/2 onion, chopped

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

2 1/2 cups tomato sauce ( I use a 29 oz can of Hunts tomato sauce, which is a little more than 2 1/2 cups)

1 (8 ounce) jar salsa

2-3 tablespoons chili powder

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp worcestershire sauce

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp cumin

1 (15 ounce) can light red kidney beans

1 (15 ounce) can dark red kidney beans



1.In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the ground beef and the onion and saute for 10 minutes, or until meat is browned and onion is tender. Drain grease, if desired.


2.Add the ground black pepper, garlic salt, tomato sauce, salsa, chili seasoning, oregano, cumin, paprika, worcestershire sauce and kidney beans. Mix well, reduce heat to low and simmer for at least an hour or place in crock pot and let simmer for the afternoon.

***Truth be told on the spices - I do not measure.  I add according to taste, but these measurements are a guideline/guess for what I add.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

These are my all-time favorite muffins!  I typically double the recipe and just use the whole can of pumpkin, which is close enough to 2 cups.

1-2/3 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 T pumpkin pie spice
1 t baking soda
1/4 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
2 eggs
1 cup plain pumpkin
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup chocolate chips (regular size or mini)

Heat oven to 350*
Mix flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
Break eggs into another bowl.  Add pumpkin and butter.  Whisk until well blended.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Pour over dry ingredients and fold in just until dry ingredients are moistened.
Scoop batter into muffin cups.
Bake 20-25 minutes.

Sweet Chili

A friend brought Sweet Chili for us when we had our sweet Lydia. It is a family favorite.

2lbs ground beef

2 cloves garlic,minced

2 t salt

1 t. black pepper

1-28oz can of diced tomatoes (or petite diced tomatoes)

1-16oz can of red kidney beans drained and rinsed  (I always use chili beans because Ben doesn’t like kidney beans)

1 large onion

2 t. chili powder

1 t. ground cumin

1 t. dried oregano

1-28oz can of tomato sauce

1 can of water (use can from tomato sauce)

½ c packed light brown sugar (less to taste or can be omitted)

1.       Brown meat, onion & garlic. Drain meat.

2.       Add seasonings, brown sugar, water.

3.       If doing on stove, bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer uncovered at least for 45 or longer.  Stirring occasionally.

Can be put in crockpot on low for 4-5 hours.

Serve over cooked elbow macaroni. Garnish as desired.  We serve with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.

This makes A LOT but it freezes well. 

Stir-Fried Beef (or Chicken) with Onions

We found this recipe in "How to Cook Everything" by Mark Bittman.  Our family loves this.  We like it made with chicken instead of beef too.  We also like to add snow peas to the stir-fry and serve it over rice with chow mein noodles

***Recipe recommends flank or sirloin cuts

3/4 to 1 pound flank or sirloin steak or other beef
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons peanut (preferred) or vegetable oil
2 large or 3 medium onions, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon peeled and minced or grated fresh ginger, plus 1 teaspoon
1/2 cup stock or water
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce or soy sauce (the hoisin sauce really adds flavor - I'd try to find it if you can.)

1. Slice the beef as thinly as you can; it's easier if you freeze it for 15-30 minutes first.  Cut the slices into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

2. Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until it smokes.  Add 1 tablespoon of oil with the onions.  Stir immediately, then stir every 30 seconds or so until onions soften and begin to char slightly, 4-5 minutes.  Season the onions with salt and pepper, then remove; keep the heat high.

3.Add the remaining oil to the pan, then the garlic and 1 tablespoon of ginger; stir and immediately add the beef.  Stir immediately, then stir every 20 seconds or so until it loses its color, just a minute or 2 longer; stir in the onions.  Add the stock or water, the hoisin or soy, and the remaining ginger, let some of the liquid bubble away and serve immediately over rice.

Marble Squares

I got this recipe from my mom (Deb Tewes) recently.  Everyone loves them.

Brownie Base
½ cup margarine
¾ cup water
1 ½ 1-oz. squares unsweetened chocolate
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
½ cup sour cream

Combine margarine, water and chocolate in saucepan, bring to boil. Remove from heat. Stir in combined flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Add eggs and sour cream, mix well. Pour into greased and floured 15 x 10 x 1 inch jelly roll pan.

Top
1 8-oz pkg. Cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 6-oz pkg. semi-sweet chocolate pieces(I used Milk chocolate and they were fine)
Combine cream cheese and sugar, mixing until well blended. Blend in egg. Spoon over chocolate batter. Cut through batter with knife several times for marble effect. Sprinkle with chocolate pieces.

Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out of clean.

Baked Ziti

12oz uncooked ziti (or other pasta)
2 tsp olive oil
2 clove(s) garlic, minced
1/3 pound raw lean ground beef
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
1 c shredded mozzarella cheese

• 
  
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
  
• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
  
• 
  
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Add beef and cook until browned, breaking up meat with a spoon as it cooks, about 3 to 5 minutes; drain off any fat and set pan back over medium heat.
  
• 
  
• Add oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper; stir to coat beef. Cook until herbs become fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
  
• Spoon a small amount of beef-tomato mixture into bottom of a 4-quart casserole dish (just enough to cover surface); top with half of cooked ziti. Next, layer with half of remaining beef-tomato sauce and half of mozzarella cheese. Layer with remaining ziti and then top with remaining beef-tomato sauce; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake until cheese is golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Slice into 8 pieces and serve. Yields 1 piece per serving.