Apple Crisp with Craisins/ Raisins

Small scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream will be added!

Columbus Day Weekend!  I hope that you have enjoyed it.  This holiday weekend came quickly!  October is a FuN month - filled with fam birthdays, football games and produce of autumn. 

Last weekend we ventured west on the MA Pike and then on to upstate NY to attend a beautiful wedding.  Driving on the highways between gorgeous trees that were beginning to change colors was so sweet - shades of greens, yellows & reds.

    
On the return trip home we not only viewed the colorful foliage, but at a rest/food area there was a Farmers' Market.  An abundance of the fresh local apples from the nearby orchards were available to purchase. Cortland Apples!  Cortland will always be my fave eating & cooking apple.  The contents of a  fill your own bag of these juicy tasty pieces of red fruit is now in our fridge.

My plan?  Bake Apple Crisp with Craisins/ Raisins!  A crunchy oat topping covers slices of fresh peeled fruit in this yummy dessert.  The apple slices are also surrounded by sprinkles of Craisins & Raisins.  Add in Cinnamon & Nutmeg = Yum!  It's extra easy, because no pie crust is required for this tasty dessert!

Apple Crisp with Craisins/ Raisins

Oven Temperature: 375°F
Time: 45 - 50 Minutes

Ingredients:
6 - 7 peeled sliced large apples
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup Old Fashioned Oats
3/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
1/3 Cup + 1 Tablespoon softened Butter or Margarine
1/4 Cup Craisins
1/4 Cup Raisins

 Method:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Spray PAM in 8" x 8" glass baking pan.
3. Rinse apples under cold running water & dry.
4. Peel & slice apples.
5. Place peeled sliced apples in pan.
6. Add Craisins & Raisins and mix in.
7. Thoroughly mix remaining ingredients together in small bowl.
8. Sprinkle over apples.
9. Bake 45- 50 Minutes or until apples are tender.
10. Serve warm or chilled with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.
11. When cool, cover & refrigerate any leftovers.

This is definitely a family fave apple dessert here! 

Enjoy!
Yummy!

 

~Craisin Raisin Apple Crisp~

As we were cruisin' down the Mass Pike (I-90), suddenly I remembered that on Fridays there is a Farmers' Market at the Charlton Plaza.  That plaza is usually a good "get out and stretch" place for us when we travel to/from Boston, so stopping there was in the plans, anyway.  The market was still open - Cortland apples were the big purchase.

Craisin Raisin Apple Crisp

In September local apples are definitely a must!  I had visions of Craisin Raisin Apple Crisp!  Cortlands are very crisp at this time of year and are great apples to use when baking.  Probably the only variety of apple my mom used when she baked apple pies and made applesauce.  Thanksgiving is usually the time when I bake pies, so it's not a weekly habit.  I do like nutritious/ delicious food that takes less time and effort to prepare!  Craisin Raisin Apple Crisp fits the description with no pie crust to roll out.  I bake this often, because it's filled with apples, craisins, raisins and oats and all family members enjoy it.  Last year I posted this recipe during the beginning of October.  It's just delicious! :)

Craisin Raisin Apple Crisp

Oven Temperature: 375°F
Time: 45 - 50 Minutes

Ingredients:
6 - 7 peeled sliced large apples
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup Old Fashioned Oats
3/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
1/3 Cup + 1 Tablespoon softened Butter or Margarine
1/4 Cup Craisins &/or Raisins - I use both!

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Spray PAM in 8" x 8" glass pan.
3. Place sliced apples in pan.
4. Add Craisins & Raisins and mix in.
5. Thoroughly mix remaining ingredients together in small bowl.
6. Sprinkle over apples.
7. Bake 45- 50 Minutes or until apples are tender.
8. Serve warm or chilled with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.
9. When cool, cover & refrigerate any leftovers.

This tasty dessert filled with fruit definitely is enjoyed any time of year!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

    

Time for OATMEAL!

Oh, there's a bit of a chill in the air these mornings!  Definitely time for a bowl of creamy, nutritious, hearty Oatmeal.  No, not the instant oatmeal packets that can be purchased and boiling hot water is added.  This is the oatmeal that tastes delicious after all of the ingredients are placed in a sauce pot, combined and sit for like 5 - 10 minutes, so the oats may soften a bit, before being heated and stirred.  Mmmm!

The Quaker Oats canister has the directions printed on the backside, if needed.  I also stir in 1/8 teaspoon Nutmeg & 1/8 teaspoon Cinnamon with the oats and milk.  A handful of Craisins (dried Cranberries) add a bit of tang and sweetness to this delicious hot cereal.  Brown Sugar (desired amount) is also added. 

 
Calcium is an important part of a diet that's needed every day, and a serving of this hot cereal contains 8 oz. - including the Milk added in the cereal bowl.  This is a great start to the needed daily amount of Calcium, every day.

I use Soy Milk and I find that a half gallon of Soy Milk is always on my grocery list.  The Old Fashioned Oats and Craisins will be on my next Costco list!  They will be divided into more usable containers, after purchasing.  :)  There will be more cooking with Oats & Craisins this week!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

 

~Creamy Craisin Oatmeal~

Makings for a yummy hearty breakfast!

It's winter!  It's chilly outside!  It's the perfect time to enjoy a steaming bowl of a hot hearty cereal for breakfast!  Creamy Craisin Oatmeal ranks right up there in the delicious department!  The ingredients are always at hand in my kitchen - old fashioned Oats, Craisins, Milk (I use Soy Milk.), Brown Sugar (to taste), Nutmeg & Cinnamon.

Quaker Old Fashioned Oats and Ocean Spray Craisins are staples in my kitchen - I purchase the large containers at Costco.  O.K., you might ask why such a large quantity of Oats is purchased.  Well, I use those hearty oats often!  The large box of Quaker Oats contains two packages.  When one is opened I repack it in my 5 small Quaker Oat canisters.  Away into the pantry they go! 

This past Saturday AM, Awesome Oatmeal Pancakes (click name for printable recipe) were yummy!  A batch yields many of the light Nutmeg & Cinnamon flavored pancakes.  After the extra pancakes cooled, they were placed in sandwich bags and then Ziploc Freezer Bags, labelled and stored in my freezer to enjoy other mornings.  :)

The AM was cold & windy today - with no snow!  A bowl of Creamy Craisin Oatmeal tasted great!  The preparation was easy following the directions on the oat canister and also adding in the desired amount of Craisins + about 1/8 teaspoon of Nutmeg and of Cinnamon.  

*For a creamy oatmeal, place all ingredients in pot and let sit for 5 - 10 minutes, then prepare.

Do you also like hot cereal on a cold morning?

Enjoy!
Yummy!

          

Craisin Raisin Apple Crisp

Craisin Raisin Apple Crisp

It's Apple Season in New England!  Oh Yes!  Every autumn baking the first Apple Crisp using fresh, local Cortland apples tastes so good!  It's filled with Craisins, Raisins, Old Fashioned Oats & slices of Cortland apples (a hybrid of a Ben Davis + a McIntosh).  When these crispy Cortland apples are cut, they do not turn a brownish color quickly.  This characteristic also makes Cortland apple slices a great addition to a salad. 

However, when I purchased the bag last week, salad was not on my mind.  It was Apple Crisp!  This is a wonderful dessert - Yum.  It tastes very similar to an apple pie, but there is no crust to roll out.  The baked apples are covered with a delicious topping of old fashioned Oats, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Butter/Margarine. 

In Produce Aisles of grocery stores I've noticed a "mix" for the topping sold in boxes.  Butter/Margarine is added to the dry ingredients.  A 1 lb. canister of Oats, a small bag of Flour, along with the spices always come in handy in a kitchen, so I always view this "premeasured topping mix" as a waste of $$.

Quaker is my brand of old fashioned Oats.  I must admit that once the fall season begins I use oats in many foods, so Costco is my "go to" place for oats.  That large box really is not that big.  :)

Craisin Raisin Apple Crisp is a dessert that my fam always enjoys.  In the spring I use a combination of Empire and of Granny Smith apples.  The photo above shows our dessert one evening before a small scoop of vanilla ice cream was added on top.     

Apple Crisp 
       click for printable recipe card

Oven Temperature:  375°F
Time:  45 - 50 Minutes

Ingredients:
6 - 7 peeled sliced large apples
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup Old Fashioned Oats
3/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
1/3 Cup + 1 Tablespoon softened Butter or Margarine
1/4 Cup Craisins &/or Raisins - I use both!

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Spray PAM in 8" x 8" glass pan.
3. Place sliced apples in pan.
4. Sprinkle in Craisins & Raisins.
5. Thoroughly mix remaining ingredients together in small bowl.
6. Sprinkle over apples.
7. Bake 45 Minutes or until apples are tender. 
8. Serve warm or chilled with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.
9. When cool, cover & refrigerate any leftovers.

Today, I was in the Big Y purchasing groceries.  The first bag of Cortland apples just disappeared, so another bag was placed in our grocery cart along with a half gallon of Apple Cider.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!!!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

      

Peachy Craisin Crisp

The trip to Calabrese Farms in Southwick, MA on Friday afternoon resulted in purchasing local, fresh, juicy, fragrant Peaches!  If you enjoy making Freezer Jam, as I do, it is time to get moving when the fruit is ripe!  Yesterday a batch of Peach Freezer Jam was prepared.  In a couple of hours it will be stored in our large freezer downstairs.  The afternoon began with preparing Freezer Jam and ended with one very tasty dessert - Peachy Craisin Crisp.  Yummy!  

It has become a tradition for me to bake this scrumptious dessert after making the jam.  I'm sure it's due to the fact that not only are the juicy 6 - 7 Peaches in my fridge, but my kitchen counters and stove contain all of the necessary utensils.  My rose colored Pyrex container can be located quickly.  It's 8" x 8" size is perfect to use.  The combination of Peaches and of dried Cranberries is scrumptious in this dessert with an oat topping. 

***After washing the Peaches in cold water, the skins of the fruit need to be removed.  To remove the skin easily, carefully place each Peach in simmering water for about 35 seconds.  Using a slotted spoon, remove each Peach and place on a plate to cool.  When the fruit can be comfortably handled, peel and cut fruit into slices.  :)
 
Peachy Craisin Crisp

Oven Temperature:  375° F    
Baking Time:  About 45 Minutes

Ingredients:
6 - 7 sliced Peaches
2/3 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup Old Fashioned Oats
3/4 tsp. Cinnamon
3/4 tsp. Nutmeg
1/3 Cup softened Butter or Margarine
1/4 Cup Craisins (dried cranberries)

Method:

1. Preheat oven.
2. Spray PAM in glass baking dish.
3. Place sliced Peaches in baking dish.  Sprinkle on Craisins and mix.
4. In small bowl combine remaining ingredients thoroughly.  Sprinkle over Peaches.
5. Bake 45 minutes or until Peaches are tender.  
6. Serve warm or cold topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
7. After cool, cover and refrigerate any leftovers. 

This is a great dessert filled with slices of fresh fruit!  An added plus is that there is no pie crust to roll out on a warm summer day if this delicious fresh dessert is prepared.  Sweet!  Do you bake using fresh peaches?  

Yummy!
Enjoy! 

   

     

Yummy Buttermilk Pancakes!

It all started with the purchase of a quart of Buttermilk last week. My Hubby saw the container in our fridge and commented to me that a plate of Buttermilk Pancakes would taste so good for Breakfast on the weekend. Oh, he was right! In my usual manner of thinking, the Buttermilk Pancakes routine brings out the container of Quaker Oats for Awesome Oatmeal Pancakes. But not this time.

I envisioned a plate of light, fluffy Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes dripping with Maple Syrup. Not being able to locate my recipe, I sat down in front of my computer and “Googled”. The recipe that I printed was easy, sounded scrumptious and I had all of the ingredients. Thank you BURYGOLD for posting your mouth-watering recipe on allrecipes.com. On Saturday morning those pancakes hit the spot! I also added defrosted Blueberries to the batter after the batter was placed on my griddle.

Buttermilk Pancakes II (click here) are absolutely delicious! They are so light and fluffy! So Yummy!

We did have extras. After they cooled, they were placed in sandwich bags, then in Ziploc Freezer bags and placed in our freezer. More yummy breakfasts await us.

That was a great idea that my Hubby had!
Yummy!

The Overripe Banana

Earlier this morning before Breakfast I glanced over to the fruit bowl on my kitchen counter. One overripe Banana remained. Hmmm, it did not really look very appetizing. Then again, Bananas have never been a favorite fruit of mine, so I cannot imagine that a piece of yellow fruit speckled with brown spots would be very appealing to me. Yes, I’ve read articles stating that Bananas contain Potassium. O.K., I get that. I eat one almost every day, but it has to look “just right”. Bananas are not juicy and scrumptious to me like Oranges and Apples are. For that reason I like to hide them in other foods. Oatmeal is a great example!

On a chilly morning a bowl of Creamy Oatmeal prepared with Quaker Old Fashioned Oats tastes so good. Especially if it is flavored with Cinnamon, Brown Sugar and Nutmeg. Having a little Banana flavoring does not hurt this tasty, healthy bowl of warm cereal. Actually, it is quite delicious!

After enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving my fridge is mostly empty, but a partial carton of Soy Milk was located. So, I had plans for the remaining piece of overripe fruit. Following the directions on the Quaker Oat canister for preparing Oatmeal, I added in one overripe Banana that was cut into slices. In preparing Oatmeal, I omit the Salt and sprinkle in Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Brown Sugar - according to taste. If the combo sits in the pot for 5 minutes before applying the heat, a creamier Oatmeal is the result.

The flavor was great and the Banana slices melted, so they were not even noticed! It made some pretty tasty oatmeal!

Do you enjoy warm Oatmeal on a cold morning?

Enjoy!

Yummy!