Unsweetened cinnamon applesauce.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Condiments, Dips, Gluten Free, Holiday, Sauces, Side dish, Snacks, Vegetarian, Vitamix 2 Comments

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Apple week continues!  I couldn’t have a week of apple recipes without a good applesauce recipe, let’s face it.  This recipe is so super easy and makes as much or as little as you want.  I like to make a lot because I use a lot of applesauce in my baking in lieu of adding fat.  You can easily control the consistency (if you like smooth or chunkier) and the amount of cinnamon you prefer.  This is another fix it and forget it recipe that doesn’t require babysitting.
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— Knead to Cook

Apple picking and apple recipe round-up.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Fruit, Gluten Free, Grilling, Holiday, Nuts, Pork, Snacks, Turkey, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 2 Comments

 

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Bring on fall!  The weather finally warranted wearing a sweater or jacket.  I absolutely adore this season and it is by far, my favorite.  Pumpkins, cool breezes, leaves changing to vibrant colors and apples!  Lots of apples.  Finally after several busy weekends, we were able to carve out a bit of time to hit up my favorite orchard and pick some apples, in fact 40 lbs!  In the coming days I will be sharing all of my favorite recipes for everything apple. [Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Overnight Baked Pumpkin French Toast.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Egg dishes, Holiday, Vegetarian 13 Comments

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I’m still happily on my pumpkin kick. I really can’t get enough.  The weather finally has a chill, sweaters are coming out and I’m happily creating recipes that warm you up on a chilly weekend morning.  Painted a nice picture, didn’t I?  Ha.  Actually, I whipped up this breakfast because I had an extra baguette that my husband didn’t use for pasta night (I was at a meeting) and I had leftover pumpkin in the fridge.  Viola!  Breakfast idea for Saturday morning.  So I got up early, ran my 8 mile training run, hubby went out for 15 on his bike before he actually started to freeze and we got home and put this in the oven.  It smells heavenly and I’m hoping it wakes my girls up so we can go apple picking, which I’ve been dying to do but we haven’t had an opportunity.

Great for brunch or a lazy weekend morning.  Top with powdered sugar, maple syrup or fresh berries.   Whatever you like.

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— Knead to Cook

Roasted Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Mash.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday, Potatoes, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 3 Comments

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This would be perfect for Thanksgiving dinner!  Yes, I have that on my mind already.  I roasted some sweet potatoes and a lovely homegrown butternut squash my friend gave to me earlier in the day and was thinking of how I wanted to transform them.  Mashed potatoes came to mind and from there I whipped up a sweet version of a mashed potato combo that was so delicious I had to walk away before I consumed the entire bowl!
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— Knead to Cook

Healthy apple cake.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cakes, Desserts, Fruit, Holiday, Nuts, Party Foods, Vegetarian, Yogurt 13 Comments

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It’s fall and apple season means more than just apple pie and apple sauce making.  Today, my schedule is jammed packed with appointments and a board meeting this evening.  I’m rushing around but had a chance to pop over to my favorite farm stand to pick up some fresh veggies and fruit.  I stumbled upon a creamed cinnamon honey that I just knew I had to buy.  Finding myself home with one hour to spare, I whipped up this apple cake and used my new little gem in the recipe.  While the cake is baking, I’m typing away so that I can share this recipe with you all.  This recipe uses no oils and little sugar, it merely celebrates the star of the cake – the sweet apple.  I hope you enjoy it.

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— Knead to Cook

Pumpkin Spice Blondies.

by Filed Under: Brownies, Candy, Desserts, Halloween, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Party Foods, Snacks, Yogurt Leave a Comment

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I feel compelled to make this disclaimer… if you’re looking for healthy clean eating, this is NOT your recipe. I have to be honest, I don’t eat refined sugars or processed anything but I realize that’s my choice and sometimes an indulgent, fun treat is good when you’re a kid and I have two of them so here it goes!  I spotted these Pumpkin Spice M&M’s yesterday and thought they would be fun in some pumpkin spice blondies.  So I bought a bag and off I went.  It’s a fun treat for the fall season. Again, everything in moderation.

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— Knead to Cook

Healthy Snacking Pumpkin Bars.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Snacks, Thanksgiving, Yogurt 9 Comments

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Today I threw caution to the wind and decided to get back into the kitchen, regardless of finger pain.  I have to be honest… I’ve been going through serious withdrawal!  I kept vacillating on cooking/baking because I’m being so cautious with moving my finger but I can’t do it anymore!   So after my workout, taxing to school, doc appointment and walk with the dog I got to it.  And I cooked and baked until I had to leave to pick my daughter up and I have to tell you – it felt so good!  I felt like myself, finally!

To celebrate the first full day of fall that meant apple and pumpkin cooking in my kitchen.  I made my muffin pan mini apple pies because my family wouldn’t let up on how good they were (a big ol’ hint for me to make more) and these pumpkin bars.  I wanted a nice moist bar without added butter and less sugar than the typical bar recipes.  I wanted these for breakfast to-go ideas and for after-school snacking.  They are just perfect and totally portable.
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— Knead to Cook

Muffin Pan Mini Apple Pies.

by Filed Under: 4th of July/Patriotic, Brunch, Desserts, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Party Foods, Pies, Snacks, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian 15 Comments

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Get your fork ready…

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Yesterday  made me stop and really examine the last two weeks of my life.  I’m unsure if I’ve been really blessed (I’m leaning towards this) or someone is out there gunning for me.  Two weeks ago I had a fairly routine operation on my finger resulting in a case of staph infection that landed me in the hospital with IV antibiotics and another surgery to flush out any remaining staph bacteria.  The worse case scenario, the docs told me was that I would have a pic line installed and have to go to the hospital every single day for IV antibiotics for 30 days.  Thank heavens this wasn’t the case.  I walked out of the hospital with oral antibiotics and have been healing up, dealing with the pain of the surgery.  This, the docs said was because I was in great shape and I’m very healthy.  Okay great.  Plus, I have been granted permission upon discharge to continue training, something very important to me and my mental health.  I gain great enjoyment from working out and it is a simple way of keeping the endorphins flowing and me happy.  Win!  Win!  So yesterday I headed out about 5:20 am for a ten mile run.  I’m training for a half marathon that I have yet to determine (yes, I need to get on this).  As I just hit the 9 mile mark, very close to my home, a car that didn’t see me (because the driver wasn’t looking in my direction) hit me.  I was fortunate to act fast and catapult myself over his hood and land on the other side of the car.  It all happened in slow motion.  I landed on my feet and was partially in shock that this happened and that he was driving away!  He then must’ve got a glimpse of me running towards the car and stopped.  His comment “I never even saw you.”  Are you kidding me?  I turned and ran home finishing my ten miles in record time and a bit in shock.  Long story short, I walked away from a car hitting me. I remember my hands on the hood of the car and thinking is this for real?  The engine roaring underneath my palms, I was blessed with the thought of jumping on the hood an getting legs out of the way. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.  So I’m going with blessed!  I escaped two situations that could’ve left me very injured or even dead.  So what did I do… I shook it off, relished my ten mile run and made mini pies for my family.  One-handed I might add.

I really prefer to live under the radar but lately that’s been quite difficult!

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— Knead to Cook

Almond Butter Banana Bread.

by Filed Under: Breads, Breakfast, Desserts, Fruit, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Muffins, Nuts, Quick Bread, Snacks, Vegetarian, Yogurt Leave a Comment

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I have an abundance of ripe bananas in my kitchen right now.  I’ve whipped up some smoothies and next up with a healthy banana bread as an after-school snack.  This bread is packed with protein, courtesy of my favorite Greek yogurt, healthier oil instead of butter and a reduced amount of sugar.  Pipping hot from the oven, my family couldn’t wait to dig in and it was well-received by all.  Think of this as breakfast, snack or dessert!  It is so good.

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— Knead to Cook