APPLE PIE CUPCAKES

APPLE PIE "CUPCAKES"

There was a time when I used to bake a lot - cookies, cakes, etc. - and I really enjoyed it.  My grandmother was the QUEEN of baking (my mommy is the PRINCESS-SMILE)...she could do a mean pound cake.  I would watch her add a little of this or that.  I would ask her how much of this or that did she put in and she'd say, "I don't measure!  I just feel it out."  I thought to myself 'measure it out?'  But as I baked more and more, I began to understand what she meant; it's just something you learn to do and you do just feel it out.  You learn from experience and I had the best teachers.

For the last several years though, I just didn't make the time for it.  And honestly, I missed it.  So here I am, baking again.  Trying out different recipes and tweaking them here and there to make them a little healthier.  But there are some recipes that you just have to make it the 'regular' way because it tastes so darn good like that!  You know what I always say...everything in moderation.  A little indulging is good for you.

Here is my recipe for APPLE PIE "CUPCAKES".  Please note that the measurements are approximate and were for a serving of 7 cupcakes.  If you are making more, double the ingredient measurements.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 small to medium Granny smith apples (you can also use honeycrips or Macintosh)
• 1 1/2 cups of organic brown sugar
• 1 cup of organic unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp of cinnamon
• 1 tbsp of nutmeg (optional)
• butter
• pre-made biscuits in a can (you can use Pilsbury plain biscuits or Cinnamon rolls.  I purchased pre-made biscuits from Whole Foods, I forget the brand name.  Comes in a RED can.)

PREPARATION

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.

Cut up apples into 1 inch squares and place in bowl.  Add brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Mix well.

Open can of biscuits or cinnamon rolls and separate them.  Roll them out as flat as you can and place them in cupcake baking tin.  Take a spoonful of the apple mixture and place in each cupcake hole.  Place a slither of butter on top of each "cupcake".  Put into the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes (until they are golden brown).

Let them cool and serve with a scoop of ice cream.

ENJOY!

Becoming a Pizza Fan!

Black Bean + Broccoli Pizza

I have to admit something that not a lot of people know...I'm not a big fan of pizza.  Yes, you read that right - smile!  I was never a fan of one of America's favorite foods.  But I have to say that in the last few years, I'm starting to like it.  And lately, I've been working on recipes for homemade pizza...nothing like adding all the ingredients you like and making sure to keep it healthy. Another reason I was motivated to make my own is because sometimes I have bouts of acid reflux so tomato sauce, black pepper or anything spicy brings on an episode. So by making my own, I can control what is goes into making one.  For this pizza I used mashed black beans as the "base" instead of tomato sauce. Came out pretty good!

So tonight I went to the supermarket, got all my ingredients and made this quick fast dinner.  My recipe is below:

• 1 whole wheat tortilla
• 1/2 cup of broccoli florets
• About a 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of black beans
• 1/4 cup of black olives
• 1-2 small cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup of mozzarella shredded cheese

Turn on the broiler to preheat oven.

Place the whole wheat tortilla on a baking sheet that's covered with aluminum foil.  Mash the black beans in a separate bowl and then spread it on the tortilla.  You can put as much or as little as you want.  Steam the broccoli florets for about 6 minutes before hand and chop them up a little.  Sprinkle on top of the mashed black beans.  Then put the black olives, minced or chopped garlic and mozzarella cheese.  I was going to add spinach but I was hungry so I just kept it with the ingredients above.

Put it in the oven and leave in there for no more than 5 minutes or until cheese browns a bit.

Have fun!

*Sorry about not having the "after" pic; I ate the dang thing and then remembered I didn't take a photo - lol!*