Stephanies Kitchen

Simply Applesauce

October 16, 2008 By Steph 23 Comments

Were you wondering where I’ve been? Well, I’ve been here. I’ve made some pretty delicious treats too, but no photo’s. As soon as I get my camera back, I will make them again and you will definitely see them right here. But until then, here is something you don’t want to miss out on. Homemade Applesauce. I had never even thought of making applesauce from scratch. But when my Mom had an over abundance of fresh apples picked right off the tree, she quickly started making batch after batch of homemade applesauce. I was lucky enough to have been right by her side and she taught me a thing or two about it. And when I took my first taste, I had never tasted anything so delicious. I will never buy store bought applesauce again. There is no comparison. And the only hard part if peeling the apples. Luckily, I have a Pampered Chef apple peeler/corer/slicer. It is a life saver for sure. So when life hands you apples, make applesauce!

Mom’s Homemade Applesauce

6 cups peeled,cored and sliced apples
3/4 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1. Place sliced apples in a large soup pot. Add the sugar and lemon juice and mix well to coat the apples. Cover.
2. Cook on medium heat for about an hour, or until apples are soft and well cooked.
3. Depending on how you like your applesauce, (I like mine chunky), use a potato masher and mash the apples to the desired consistency. (You can also use a food processor to get a more smooth consistency.)
4. Place in freezer bags and take out and move to refrigerator as necessary. (Mom’s trick to keep it fresh)

Filed Under: apples

Apple Pie Puffs A La Mode

September 8, 2008 By Steph 20 Comments

What a weekend. My husband participated in his first Triathlon. That was fun! I was so proud of him. Now of course he wants to do more. I thought I might give it a try too, but then he told me what you have to do. Run nonstop for 3 miles…get on your bike and ride 10 miles..strip down and swim 350 meters. I’m not sure I could handle that quite yet. Maybe someday. I’ve been working out with my friend every morning at 6:00 am. Not much progress, and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because I then come home and bake and eat. I’ve been trying to be better though. Sundays are my favorite baking day. I just have to have a really good dessert after dinner. Last night was no exception. I decided to experiment with puff pastry. I wanted an apple pie, but didn’t want to make pie dough. I had some puff pastry on hand so I decided to make these little apple pie puffs as I like to call them. A yummy filling of sauteed apples with butter, cinnamon, sugar and apple pie spice. Load it in some puff pastry and they come out beautiful! You must have ice cream on top, it’s the only way to eat them. I drizzled some caramel sauce to top it all off. Delicious! Have a great week everyone!!

Apple Pie Puffs
recipe by Stephanie
serves 6

1 sheet puff pastry from 17.3 ounce box
3 apples (I used gala), diced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon apple pie spice

For the top:
2 tablespoon melted butter
sugar for sprinkling

1. Saute apples with butter, sugars, cinnamon and apple pie spice until soft, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
2. Using thawed puff pastry dough, roll out onto a floured work surface and roll dough into about a 12X18 inch rectangle. Cut into 6 equal rectangles. Scoop apple filling onto the middle of the rectangle. Fold dough over and press down on all 4 sides to seal. Repeat with all rectangles. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush tops with the melted butter and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes. Top with ice cream and eat while hot.

Filed Under: apples, desserts

Baked Apple and Cinnamon French Toast Cups

August 26, 2008 By Steph 24 Comments

Oh my goodness. I am still licking my fingers on this one. Delicious. Masterpiece. That’s all I can say about this amazing treat. I decided to call these French Toast Cups because it has all the ingredients I use in my french toast, plus apples. Yum. My kids licked the plate clean. And let me tell you, that does not happen very often. Apples have been on my mind lately. I have been racking my brain trying to come up with some creative recipes using them, and then I remembered a bread pudding recipe that I saw and I decided to do something similar but with my own spin. The sauteed cinnamon apples were the perfect addition. Of course topped with a sugar glaze, it is the perfect treat or breakfast or brunch or whatever you want to eat it for! I hope you all have a lovely week and I will be back soon with some amazingly delicious recipes!

Baked Apple and Cinnamon French Toast Cups

recipe by Stephanie

makes 6 french toast cups

4 slices whole wheat bread, cut into cubes

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

dash of ground nutmeg

For the apples:

1 large apple of your choice, cut into cubes

1 tablespoon butter

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1. In a medium skillet, saute apples with butter and cinnamon for about 5 minutes, or until soft. Set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, mix the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg until well combined. Add bread cubes and mix together until all the bread is saturated. Add the apples and mix until well distributed.

3. Using a regular size muffin tin, scoop bread evenly into 6 of the muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until set and lightly golden brown.

4. Mix 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar and 1 tablespoon milk until smooth. Drizzle on top of french toast cups. Enjoy!!

These would be perfect for a bridal or baby shower! Your guests will be begging for more!!!

Filed Under: apples, breakfast, brunch

Delicious Apple Crisp

July 31, 2008 By Steph 16 Comments

This is one of my favorite desserts ever. I know what you are thinking. This girl has a lot of favorite desserts. Yes, I do. And there is nothing wrong with that!!! Of course, my favorite part is the ‘crisp’. I could eat that and only that. I like a tiny little bite of apple LOADED with crisp. Crispy sweet brown sugar and oats with a touch of cinnamon and a little butter. What’s not to love about that? Yum Yum Yum. Top it off with homemade vanilla ice cream and BAM…you have a sweet little treat. Enjoy!

I’m off to Washington D.C for a little vacation with my hubby. My brave Mother offered to take the kids, so we took her up on her generous offer. Angel. Anyways, I have my smart little computer all set up to post for you while I am away. I promise to read all of your comments as soon as my plane lands back home! I’ll be back before you know it!!! Have a good weekend and a fabulous next week!

Apple Crisp

recipe by Stephanie

4 medium granny smith apples, sliced

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup oats

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/3 cup butter, softened

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon, nutmeg. Using your hands or a pastry blender, mix in the butter until the mixture resembles pea sized crumbs.

2. Spread apples in the pan. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture evenly over the apples.

3. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until the crisp is browned and the apples are tender.

4. Serve with ice cream.

Filed Under: apples, desserts