Recipe: Caramel Apple Nachos
Apple season is at its finest right now – so is “having too much candy around the house” season! Combine these into this delicious snack or dessert idea from The Pin Junkie. Of course, you can always change candy and apple types, and add or take off some of the toppings. The apple nachos would also be good with chocolate syrup or pre-made caramel sauce.ENJOY!
Ingredients:
- 2 green granny smith apples, cored & sliced
- half a bag of caramel
- 1 teaspoon water
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
- 2 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips (or M&Ms)
Directions:
1. Unwrap all individual caramels. Place them in a saucepan with one teaspoon of water over medium-low heat. Stir the caramel constantly until caramels are completely melted.
2. Drizzle melted caramel over sliced apples.
3. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and mini chocolate chips.
Recipe: Apple Pie “French Fries”
Okay, so maybe these Apple Pie “French Fries” aren’t the healthiest snack, but how cute are they? They look like real French fries with salt and shape. These would be really fun to have at a birthday party. The recipe below from Oh Bite It! serves 25-30 “fries”, so you may need more than that for parties.
Ingredients:
- 1 pkg of Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts (2 ct., but brand doesn’t matter)
- 1.5 cups of Apple Pie Filling
- 1 Egg
- Sparkle sugar for sprinkling “salt” onto the fries
- Caramel sauce and/or ice cream for dipping
- Optional: Food processor, Decorative edge roll-cutter
Directions:
- Chop up apple pie filling as best as you can, or use food processor and save tons of time.
- Unroll the 2 pie crusts. On 1 of the crusts, spread the apple filling around leaving 1/8″ at edge, then lightly press the other crust onto the top of it to secure it.
- Make egg wash by combining an egg with a splash of water.
- Brush egg wash across the entire top of the crust and sprinkle with the sparkle sugar.
- Cut the crust into 1/2″ strips then again into “fries” shape and size. Place very carefully onto parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 350-degrees for 12 minutes or until slightly golden and firm.
- Serve with caramel and/or ice cream for dipping.
How to Cook Pumpkin Seeds
Most families like to save their pumpkin seeds from the pulp of their jack-o’-lanterns and allow them to dry. Then which recipe is the best for those pumpkin seeds? This 5-star rated recipe from Food.com is PERFECT and everyone will love it – simple, delicious, and traditional. Enjoy!
Ingredients (Makes 1 cup of seeds):
- 1 1/2 cups pumpkin seeds
- 2 teaspoons melted butter (olive oil or vegetable oil also work well) or 2 teaspoons melted oil (olive oil or vegetable oil also work well)
- salt
- garlic powder (optional)
- cayenne pepper (optional)
- seasoning salt (optional)
- cajun seasoning (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
- It’s okay to leave some strings and pulp on your seeds (it adds flavor), but be sure to clean off any big chunks.
- Toss pumpkin seeds in a bowl with the melted butter or oil and seasonings of your choice.
- Spread pumpkin seeds in a single layer on baking sheet.
- Bake for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown.
Recipe: Crock Pot Veggie Pizza
Skip pickup or delivery pizza tonight. Make your own pizza at home using your crock pot. It’s true! The recipe by Simple Nourished Living (who has a huge variety of slow cooker meals, by the way) is healthy and couldn’t be easier!
Ingredients:
- 1 refrigerated pizza dough (11 to 14 ounces)
- 1 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- Any sliced veggies of your choice!
Directions:
- Spray your slow cooker with cooking spray to make sure the pizza crust doesn’t stick.
- Place the dough into the crock pot and spread out onto the sides about an inch using your fingers.
- Evenly spread sauce onto the crust then put 3/4 cup of the cheese over the sauce.
- Toss in the vegetables and spread them out all over the pizza, covering it. Then put the rest of the 1/4 cup of cheese on top of the veggies.
- Cover your crock pot and cook on HIGH for 2 to 2-1/2 hours or until the crust begins to brown around the edges.
- Uncover and move lid quickly to make sure the condensation doesn’t drip onto your pizza.
- Turn off crock pot and let stand for 15 minutes.
- Using 2 spatulas, you should be able to lift it right out of the cooker.
- Cut into 8 pizza slices and enjoy!
Recipe: Easy Ragu Stuffed Peppers
It’s nearly fall and we’re all looking for warm, simple, and filling meals. Here’s an easy recipe for Ragu Stuffed Peppers from The Food Channel that can also be great to be in a tailgating potluck!
Ingredients:
- 4 bell peppers (red, yellow or a mix), halved lengthwise with seeds removed
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt
- About 3 cups Ragu sauce (or equivalent)
- 1/2 cup couscous
- 3/4 cup golden raisins
- 3/4 cup grated asiago or fontina cheese
- 4 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 450*F. Toss the bell pepper halves with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large microwave-safe bowl.
- Cover bowl and microwave them until the peppers soften, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Mix the Ragu (or other sauce), couscous, raisins, 1/2 cup cheese, 3 teaspoons vinegar, the parsley and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl.
- Whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon vinegar, the tomato paste and 3/4 cup water in the bottom of a large nonreactive baking dish.
- Carefully move the peppers, cut-side up, to the baking dish & fill with the couscous mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is hot, or about 20 minutes.
- Transfer the stuffed peppers to plates and drizzle with the cooking liquid from the dish.