Summer BBQ

Tonight we went to our friend's house for a summer BBQ.  We were asked to bring a meat to grill and a side dish.  We chose to make brats, because our children love them.  Whenever we are with our friends, our children do not always want to sit down long enough to eat their whole meal.  They would prefer to run around and play with their friends.  However, the brats were intriguing enough that they both ate.

The side dish I chose to bring is an Apple Cole Slaw.  I have made this recipe for a couple of years, and it is always a success.  It is simple, colorful, and delicious.  Here is my recipe.

Gluten Free Apple Cole Slaw

Ingredients:
4 cups shredded cabbage
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
kosher salt
pepper
2 apples, cored and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons sugar

In a large bowl, toss together the cabbage, vinegar, salt, and pepper.  Just before serving, add the apples and toss again.

Enjoy!
<3 Cassidy

Charoset Recipe

Even though Passover has come and gone, I have been thinking about my recipes that were successful and those that were not.  One of the recipes that I use every year is my charoset recipe.  Charoset is an apple-nut mixture that symbolizes the mortar that the Israelites used to attach the bricks together when they were slaves in Egypt.  Charoset is a very important dish during the Passover seder.  

There are many different variations for charoset.  Some recipes are made into a paste while some are made with pieces.  Some recipes contain dried fruit while others do not.  This recipe was given to my mother when I was in middle school, and I have not found one that I like as much.  Here is my recipe.    

Charoset Recipe

6 apples (~1.5 lbs)

6 oz mixed dried fruit, chopped

4 oz dried dates, chopped

4 oz walnuts, chopped

1 tablespoon allspice

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

3/4 cup kosher wine

Dice the apples into 1/2-inch pieces and place in a big bowl.*  Add the dried mixed fruit, dried dates, and walnuts.  Then mix all of those ingredients together.  Add the allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the apple-nut mixture and mix together.  Lastly, add the kosher wine.  I used about 3/4 cup of wine, but I always eyeball it.  It is not necessary for this to be an exact measurement.  Then mix together one last time.  It is ready to be served.  

* Cook's Notes:  I have found that it is important to have a really big bowl when you are making this recipe.  There needs to be enough room to mix all of the ingredients together without spilling over the side.  I personally make a mess in the kitchen, so I prefer an over-sized bowl or stockpot.  

Also, I used my fruit and veggie chopper by Progressive to cut the apple for this recipe.  I love many kitchen gadgets, but I have been exceptionally happy with this tool.  It comes with three different blades, and I use all of them.  I have cut many different kinds of fruits and vegetables including:  pickling cucumbers, onion, peppers, and apples.  

I hope you enjoy making this for your next Passover seder.

~Cassidy

Gluten Free Apple Berry Crisp

Gluten Free Apple Berry Crumble

1 cup blueberries
1 cup strawberries, sliced
4 apples, chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup water
Maple syrup

Topping:

1/2 cup gluten free oats

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a small saucepan, combine the blueberries, strawberries, and apples.  Add 1 cup of water, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and a drizzle of maple syrup.  Stir all of this together and bring the mixture to a boil.  Simmer for 5 minutes, until the fruit is slightly tender.

Combine the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and butter into a small bowl.

Drain the liquid from the fruit and pour it into a shallow baking dish.  Top with the oat mixture and sprinkle some extra cinnamon for a sweet and crispy coating.  Bake it for 25-30 minutes, until the topping is browned and the apples are tender.  Serve with your favorite ice cream.

My husband and I really like fruit crisps.  We decided to make this one when we had company for dinner.  It was super easy and not very time consuming.  This crisp was a hit!  Even my son liked it, and he does not like cooked fruit.   He liked it so much that he wants me to make it again as his special treat for his 1/2 birthday later this week.  I hope your family will love this recipe as much as mine does.  Enjoy!

-Cassidy