Chocolate Almond Popcorn

Happy Friday! Here is another delicious simple popcorn recipe. I have to say, I'm not sure why I have  published so many food related posts lately. I really don't like to cook...most of the time. It must have something to do with fall and the cold temperatures that have finally made their way to the northeast. I am pretty sure that this will be the most food posts you will see from me.

Anyway, all you need for this easy "recipe" (I'm not sure it is even a recipe) is two extra large Hershey bars (with almonds or not) and popcorn.

Step 1: Pop the popcorn
Step 2: Spread the popcorn in a single layer (I used wax paper just like with the caramel popcorn recipe)
Step 3: Break the chocolate bars up in a bowl and put the bowl in the microwave for a few minutes. Take it out every 30 seconds or so and stir it.
Step 4: When the chocolate is fully melted drizzle it over the popcorn.
Step 5: Let it cool

See? Easy!

For a variation on this, put the caramel and the almond chocolate together!

What to do with a Plethora of Apples: Post Two

A few days ago I told you all about our apple picking trip and the fact that my family and I are now drowning in apples. Here are a few other recipes that I have tried to use up our apples.

Apple chips:
Slice as many apples as you would like very thinly
Lay them out in a single layer on a cookie sheet
Sprinkle them with apple pie spice
Put them in a 200 degree oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours turning them once after about an hour

**My 6 year old devoured these. They are crispy and pretty yummy. Although, I have a feeling that the fact that they are "chips" has a little to do with it.


Apple Pancakes:
Dice up one or two apples depending on how many pancakes you are making. I used one apple for 6 pancakes.
Put the apples in a bowl with a splash of water and a teaspoon of cinnamon
Microwave the apples for 2 minutes to get them soft
Prepare your favorite pancake mix (that's right, no pancakes made from scratch for me)
Dump the apple mixture into your pancake mix
Make your pancakes as you normally would, or if you have never made them, follow the directions on the box.
**Once again, my kids loved these!

Apple Muffins and Bread
I found this recipe here on food.com. According to the website it is the bread recipe from the Puffin Inn in Ogunquit, Maine (Love Maine!).

I only have one bread loaf pan so I made one loaf of bread and used the rest of the mix to make muffins. Once again, the boys gobbled them up! Maybe they just eat everything??

Sorry for the lack of pictures. The kids literally ate the food before I remembered to take any. I promise to do better next time!

Easy caramel Popcorn

Okay guys, here is an easy fall snack that feels like a special treat.

You will need:
Microwave popcorn
Werther's baking caramels
Milk
Wax paper

Directions:
Step 1: pop a bag of microwave popcorn
Step 2: lay the popcorn in a single layer on a sheet of wax paper
Step 3: microwave the Werther's with a little bit of milk for two minutes or so. Stir the caramel every thirty to forty-five seconds
Step 4: drizzle the melted caramel over the popcorn
Step 5: eat the delicious fall snack

This treat is best eaten right away because of the caramel that is used. It is the yummy kind that stays gooey.
Yum!

Fall Outings - Apple Picking

Who goes apple picking when they already have two full bags of apples in their fridge? I do! I do! Maybe I'm crazy but for our family, apple picking is a fall tradition. Every year we travel to a local orchard that also sells donuts, cider, and other yummy food and handmade crafts. I know it sounds silly, but I really need to go to an orchard that also does the whole baked goods thing to feel like I've gotten my full annual apple picking experience.

Last year, Max wanted nothing to do with the actual act of picking the apples. In fact, when we tried to make him pick an apple he screamed. See?

I guess it just goes to show that you can't make that child do anything!

This year was a different story. He couldn't get into the trees fast enough!

When we got home I was faced with three bags of apples. Ben suggested applesauce so I got out my trusty crock pot and made the easiest version of apple sauce I have ever tried. I used the recipe from food.com ( thanks Lovebakedin) and then took some lazy shortcuts.

Instead of  measuring out apples I just cut them up until they filled the crock pot.

As you can see, I wasn't too careful with fully peeling the apples. The skin is extra fiber, right? Instead of just cinnamon I used apple pie spice, and I left out the lemon juice because we didn't have any. It turned out great. The boys are loving it with a side of pumpkin bread for their afternoon snack. Unfortunately it only used four or so apples, which means that I have a ton more apples to use up. No worries, I will come up with something! Stay tuned!

For Lunch Today: Easy Autumn Salad

I am obsessed with this salad for a few reasons.
1. I can make it while holding the baby.
2. It has goat cheese in it, which is something I don't eat while I am pregnant and missed terribly. (Although you could use cheddar cheese, which would make it more fall-ish)
3. The addition oft he nuts, seeds, and dried fruit from the trail mix makes me feel like it is one of those fancy salads that you get at restaurants.

Here's what you need:
Goat cheese
Archer Farms Sunny Cranberry Trail Mix, from Target

Kraft Creamy Balsamic Anything Dressing

Baby spinach
Baby carrots
Grape tomatoes
Cucumbers

You can really use any veggies that you want. I just use the ones that are easy to grab a handful of and throw into the salad. The only one that doesn't come in convenient grab and go form is the cucumbers, but I usually peel and cut up a cucumber or two every few weeks for my son's lunches, so I can just grab a handful of those too.

If you wanted to beef it up a little and make it a dinner, add some sliced chicken. On the days when I am really hungry I may add a handful of Wheat Thins to the side.

It is a yummy and simple salad that I have been eating almost every day for the last two weeks.

P.S. Sorry for the terrible pictures. I am working on it...

Up to our ears in... Ham

A day or two before Christmas, my husband came home with a ham that was easily the same size as my 18 month old. (No, not really.) After hours in the oven we enjoyed a traditional ham dinner. Yum!

We quickly realized that one dinner was not going to take care of the plethora of ham. (We had five gallon size bags and one jumbo Tupperware container left.) Since then we have had frittata with ham, ham and cheese sandwiches, a ham and cheese appetizer platter, ham panini, ham hash, and ham and egg scramble. Yes, I am completely sick of ham!

Tonight, I made ham and cheese soup from Taste of Home. I have to say that it was delicious and one of my favorite ham leftover recipes so far. Here is the recipe if you want to try it. The entire family cleaned their plate.

Sadly, after making the soup, I realized that we still have three gallon size bags of ham left. Ugh! I am so SICK of ham. Which is kind of sad because I usually love it. If anyone out there has any recommendations of ways to use up the ham, please let me know! I hate to throw it away but I am running out of ideas.

Happy Hamming
(I don't know, I may be delirious from all the ham)

:) A