I went to the supermarket and they had apples on sale. Originally planning to make apple pie or apple crumble, I bought two bags. When my children got home from school and saw the apples, they asked for baked apples. They are very easy to make and I was happy to do it. The children also really enjoy helping to mix the stuffing. The ingredients are found in most kitchens.

Ingredients for Baked Apples

• 6 apples
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1/3 cup chopped peanuts or chopped pecans or chopped walnuts
• about 1 cup shredded cheddar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash and core apples. Place apples on a baking dish. Make a couple small slits in skin of apples. In small bowl mix orange juice, cinnamon and brown sugar. Pour over each apple.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes for medium size apple, 30 minutes for small apples. Every 10 minutes carefully baste apples with the juice mix. While apples are baking, mix the stuffing.  In a small bowl mix raisins, chopped nuts and cheddar cheese. Remove apples from oven and turn oven off. Using small spoon carefully stuff center of warmed apples with the cheese-nut-raisin mix. Let them sit a couple of minutes until cheese softens or put the dish back into the oven for a couple of minutes (do not turn oven on!).

Serve apples in small bowl. Spoon a little of the juice, cinnamon and brown sugar from baking dish over each apple.

This quick and easy orange smoothie recipe is a favorite of both adults and children. It uses frozen orange juice so when you see that on sale buy a few extra to store in the freezer. You can use either regular, low fat or no fat ice cream or frozen yogurt and whole or low fat milk. We found it tastes equally good so the lower fat option will be the way to go if you are watching calories. An orange smoothie is a nutritious and healthy snack. It is a healthy drink that is also a filling healthy snack, great for after school treat.

Ingredients and Directions for Orange Smoothie

• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
• 1 quart vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt

Place all ingredients in blender. Cover and blend at medium speed for about one minute. You will need to stop blending once or twice to scrape sides of blender to ensure even blending. If desired we found it easier to thaw the frozen orange juice concentrate a little before using, it is easier to blend.

For a great variation on this, you can use frozen fruits such as strawberries or blueberries. Substitute the frozen orange juice concentrate with about 3/4 cup frozen fruit.

This basic biscuit recipe has been in my family for a while. It goes back a few generations as my mother got it from her mother, who in turn, had gotten it from her mother. It also uses basic ingredients and is easy on the budget. It results in a versatile biscuit that can be served in a variety of ways. It can be used as is for a delicious biscuit to accompany a cup of tea or coffee, or served along with dinner or lunch.
Like any basic biscuit recipe it has many uses and can be easily adjusted by addition of another ingredient. Add parmesan cheese for cheesy biscuits or use for your favorite fruit cobbler. Like many recipes that are passed down in families, some of the ingredients are approximate amounts. If you want to add grated parmesan cheese try adding a generous handful. You may need to add slightly more flour. After your first batch you will get an idea if you need to do so. This recipes makes about 15 biscuits. Do not cut the recipe in half if 15 is too many. Instead, freeze uncooked biscuits on a cookie sheet to bake another time. Freeze up to 4 weeks. This biscuit recipe takes only 30 minutes start to finish.

Ingredients Needed for Making 1-2-3 Biscuits

• 2 cups whipping cream
• 4 teaspoons sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups flour

Directions for Biscuits

Step 1 – Mix the DRY ingredients together. Preheat oven to 375° F & grease 2 cookie sheets.
Step 2 – Add whipping cream to the dry mix and stir with spoon or fork just until combined.
Step 3 – Using large spoon, drop mounds of dough 1″ apart on cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown.
(If the biscuits are frozen prior to baking increase baking time to about 18 minutes)

These biscuits are great served warm with a little butter or margarine. They can stand alone but are also perfect to serve with soup or main course.

February 11th, 2008 · No Comments
I mentioned the other day that I was sipping a cup of homemade Cafe Mocha and several people contacted me. A couple wanted to know what a Cafe Mocha was and several others wanted to know how to make it at home. A cafe mocha is a coffee based drink with chocolate added. An authentic Cafe Mocha is a latte with chocolate syrup; whipped cream is an optional addition. In case there are novice coffee drinkers reading a latte is a coffee drink that is 1 part espresso and 2 parts steamed milk.

There are actually several ways to make Cafe Mocha. You can start primarily with a espresso, a latte or even regular coffee. Another variation using cappuccinno is more likely to be called a moccaccino.

How you make a cafe mocha will depend on what coffee brewing equipment you have. This easy version recipe for Cafe Mocha is great for anyone who only has a regular coffee pot and who does not have access to espresso. For this recipe you will need coffee, hot chocolate and powdered creamer or even a little regular cream or 1/2 & 1/2. Powdered creamer works great in this recipe because it make more of a latte base coffee beverage.

You will need some strong fresh brewed coffee, brew it a little stronger than normal. I like to use a rich and robust blend but any blend will be fine. As your coffee is brewing prepare some hot chocolate. Use your favorite recipe or even instant cocoa mix. You will be mixing equal amount of brewed coffee and hot chocolate so prepare desired amount.

When your coffee is ready add the creamer and stir. Take a large mug and mix equal parts hot chocolate and coffee. Stir until blended. If desired top with whipped cream. Now, sit back and enjoy.