Maple Apple Crumble w/Dried Fruit

This recipe sounded good on a chilly day!

Maple Apple Crumble w/Dried Fruit

1 2/3 c. apple cider
1/3 c. dried cranberries
1/3 c. dried apricots, chopped
3/4 c. Grape-Nuts cereal
2 TBSP. brown sugar, divided
5 TBSP. whole wheat pastry flour, divided
1 tsp. cinnamon, divided
3 TBSP. pure maple syrup
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
4 medium to large Jonathan apples, peeled, cored and sliced into 16 pieces per apple. (cut into quarters, cut the quarters in half, and cut the halves again. Should end up with 16 slices per apple)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 7" x 11" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

-In a small saucepan, bring the apple cider to a boil. Turn off heat and add the cranberries and apricots. Let sit for 25 minutes. Drain the fruit saving the apple cider.
-In a small bowl, combine 1 TBSP. brown sugar, 1 TBSP. flour, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, the dried fruit and 1 TBSP. of the reserved apple cider.
-In a large bowl, combine the remaining 1 TBSP. brown sugar, 1/4 c. flour, and the 1/2 tsp. cinnamon. Add the maple syrup, vanilla and the rest of the apple cider. Combine well.
-Add the apples to the apple cider mixture. Toss and coat. (seems like a lot of liquid but it will thicken)
-Place the apples with the apple cider mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the fruit mixture.
-Bake for 55-60 minutes.
-Take out and cool.

Nectarine Beer Bread

I love making beer bread. Why not take it up a notch! So here I added nectarines, maple syrup and cinnamon.

Nectarine Beer Bread

2 large nectarines (2 cups)
3 c. bread flour
3 TBSP. turbinado sugar or any dry sugar of your choice
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
pinch of extra fine sea salt
1 12-oz bottle beer
1 1/2 TBSP.  + 2 tsp. pure maple syrup
1/4 tsp. pure vanilla
dash of cinnamon
pinch of extra fine sea salt

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. With non-stick cooking spray, lightly coat a regular size bread pan.

-In a medium saucepan, fill about 3/4 with water and bring to boil. Blanch the nectarines for 1 minute and remove. Cool enough to handle.
-Peel the skin off the nectarines. Seed and chop both nectarines.
-In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon & salt.
-Add the chopped nectarines and coat well.
-Pour the beer and 1 1/2 TBSP. of maple syrup in the flour/nectarine mixture. Combine well.
-Add the batter to the prepared bread pan.
-Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour until poke test comes out clean. Take out of oven and slightly cool.
-Combine the 2 tsp. of maple syrup, vanilla, a dash of cinnamon and salt. Brush on top of the bread.

Cut and enjoy!   I like to sprinkle more cinnamon on my individual piece.

Berry Quinoa Bowl

Sometimes the simplest are the best! Strawberries, blueberries over cold quinoa topped with walnuts! Sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, or even add a splash of non-dairy milk!

Taste Like Chocolate Smoothie

Kinda funny...I made this smoothie and gave my daughter some. "Hmmm chocolate" she said. What was funny ...there's no chocolate!

Taste Like Chocolate Smoothie

1 c. coconut water
handful of baby spinach
1 cut up frozen banana
1/2 c. frozen strawberries
1/2 c. frozen cherries
1/4 c. old fashion oats
1/4 tsp. pure almond extract
1 TBSP. pure maple syrup
splash or two of almond milk
dash of cinnamon

Blend until smooth! Enjoy!