Being Cheap is Easy: apples
Showing posts with label apples. Show all posts
Showing posts with label apples. Show all posts

Healthy Breakfast: Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats!

December 09, 2014

overnight oats, steel cut oats, cranberry, apple, Silk almond milk, #SlowCookerMeals
Have you jumped on the steel cut oats bandwagon yet?  They are a bit heartier than regular oatmeal and super filling!  Another perk is they have protein, fiber and less calories than regular rolled oats. For a while, they were hard to find at a decent price, but now even Aldi sells them! If you're gluten free, Bob's Red Mill has a version for you.  I have found that they pair well with warm spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger...even that leftover pumpkin pie spice you have on hand!

The tricky thing about steel cut oats is making them.  A little more time is required to cook than regular oatmeal which is not good for rushed weekday mornings. I will admit, you also have to get used to the chewier texture.  One problem with putting the steel cut oats in the slow cooker is they turn into a gummy, chewy mess.  The key to this recipe is only cooking for 1.5 hours on high and then leaving them alone in the cooker overnight.  They turn out perfectly! 

Lately, on Sunday nights I have been making a slow cooker batch of steel cut oats for my breakfasts during the week.  I tend to always add apple and cinnamon...the cranberry was something new a few weeks ago.  All you need to do is break up the oats into little 0.5 cup portions in containers and microwave them in the morning for a quick 90 seconds!  I like to add extra almond milk, bananas and a drizzle of honey.  Goes perfectly with coffee before the chaos of getting the girls ready for school! 
healthy breakfast, overnight oats, steel cut oats, cranberry, apple, Silk almond milk, #SlowCookerMeals

Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats- Apple Cranberry
Note: If you don't like cranberry, just add more apple!  
Recipe altered from Mother Thyme 

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup steel cut oats
  • 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or skim)
  • 1 cup cored, chopped apple
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup apple cider (or an additional cup of water)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon agave nectar or honey
  • 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoons of chia seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Put all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on high for 1.5 hours ONLY.  Stir and turn off. After sitting overnight in the slow cooker, they will be the perfect consistency!

To serve, reheat with a splash of milk.

Do you eat a hearty breakfast?

New post on Recipe4Living: Apple Pumpkin Bread!

October 05, 2013


Slow cooker "Caramel" (really it's dulce de leche)

Have you seen than Pin going around Pinterest with the slow cooker "caramel"? It's legit.  I made some apple cider caramel to drizzle on this bread recipe and it is drool worthy!  Good thing this bread is healthified! Best part: the caramel lasts for a while in the fridge, so once you make it, you'll have it for the whole season!  I would put it on apple pie, ice cream...a spoon.

Head on over to Recipe4Living to see my new recipe.  This is one you won't want to miss!  The bread flavors are inspired by doughnuts that I used to get growing up at a local cider mill here in Michigan: The Country Mill. 
Apple Pumpkin Bread: after baking, you roll it in a pumpkin spice/sugar mixure.
I hope you enjoy your weekend!  We're headed to Chicago for the night!

MYO "Skinny" Drinks: Apple Cider Martini

October 10, 2012

Appletini with Crystal Light, Crystal Light drinks, Appletini, Apple Cider, Apple Cider Cocktails
Being clumsy, I don't even try to use martini glasses anymore!

You may have noticed, I am addicted to Crystal Light mocktails.   I love how they are sugar free and they make really great drinks!  The margarita is by far my favorite, but this new addition is way up there.

I've had the Appletini packets for a while now.  Since I'm not a huge fan of Appletinis, they have just been sitting in the basement.  The sweet apple taste gives me flashbacks of bad Pucker shots taken in college.

Somehow, last weekend I got the idea to turn the Appletini into a more cider-like martini.  I guess I should call it more of a drink, since I steer clear of martini glasses....way too clumsy for stems!

Talking with some friends about our favorite place in Madison, The Vintage, I remembered they had these amazing apple pie shots. Voila!  My idea popped into my head. 

Here's what you need:
  • Rum, any type.  We used dark.
  • Crystal Light Appletini mix, Crystal Light Cranberry Apple
    • When you make the mix, just use 3 cups of water. Keep them in separate pitchers though!  I get those half pitchers, they are perfect for this!
  • Diet Vernors (Never heard of it?  You must not be from MI!...use Diet 7up instead)
  • Cinnamon
Mix it up! (Makes one drink)
  • In an iced glass add:
    • 1 shot rum (or more...)
    • 1/4 cup appletini mix
    • 1/8 cup Cran-Apple mix
    • Dash cinnamon
    • Splash of Vernors
SO easy!  I made a pitcher last weekend and added sliced apples to it.  It really tastes like cider.  Mmm Mmm!

Have you tried the Crystal Light Mocktails yet?  I really need to be a spokesperson...I am addicted for sure!


Fall favorite: Apple pork chops

August 31, 2012

I love, love, LOVE fall.  Cider mills and comfy sweaters are the best!  Favorite part? The food!  Who doesn't love comfort food!?

My mom used to make these pork chops growing up and this was one of the first recipes I had to steal for my own kitchen.  There are a lot of pork and apple recipes out there, but this one is by far my favorite.  The apple cider vinegar gives it a great, unique flavor. 

Try it out!

Ingredients
  • 1 lb of pork chops, pounded to 1/4-1/2 inch thick
    • I tend to keep them thicker, they reheat better
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup apple juice
  • 2 Granny smith apples, cored and sliced
  • 2/3 cup whipping cream
    • I never have this on hand.  I use any milk or even almond milk I have on hand.
Let's get cookin'! 
  1. Season chops with salt and pepper, then shake in the flour.
  2.  In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.  Add chops and brown 3-5 minutes until mostly cooked.  Remove from skillet.
  3. Add vinegar, sugar and apple juice to the pan and dissolve sugar.  Add apples.  Poach apples in liquid until they are cooked and sauce is syrupy (about 8-10 minutes).
  4. Add whipping cream and stir, then return chips to pan.  Cook for 2-3 minutes and let sauce thicken.
    •  If sauce is still thin, add a bit of corn starch
I make this with a side of boiled baby red potatoes and a veggie.  Quick and easy meal!





 
 
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