The Home Alternative

It’s apple season! Apples, apples everywhere. I live in a somewhat rural area where there is definitely no shortage of apples or the orchards where local farmers grow them. You don’t have to drive far to get a box full of apples for a few dollars. I stock up when they are cheap. So now I have a house full apples. There’s no limit to the different ways you can use them. Applesauce, apple pie, apple cake, sliced apples, diced apples, and fried apples! Delicious with cinnamon! No need to worry about eating the apples before they go bad. They freeze wonderfully and are extremely healthy! Here is one of my favorite ways to fix apples.

Skillet Fried Apples

Ingredients:

8 apples sliced in wedges

2 tablespoons of butter

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

3 tablespoons water

Melt butter in skillet over medium heat while preparing apples. After slicing apples into wedges, toss in skillet and stir until tender. Turn heat up to medium high then add brown sugar and water. Toss apples until coated well. Remove pan from heat. Stir in cinnamon.

This recipe is a southern favorite and absolutely delicious. It makes a great side dish, healthy snack, or can be used as topping on vanilla icecream

We all need to make and effort to eat more fruits and veggies. This is a great start. And always remember…  “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”

This is 10 times better than hamburger helper and a quick fix too!

Ingredients:

1 cup elbow macaroni

1 pound ground beef

1 medium onion chopped

1 can (14 1/2 ounces) Original or Italian Stewed tomatoes

1/4 cup ketchup

1 cup (4 oz) shredded cheddar cheese

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.

2. In large skillet, brown meat with onion; drain. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Stir in tomatoes, ketchup and pasta; heat through.

3. Top with cheese. Garnish if desired.

prep time: 8 minutes

cook time: 15 minutes

Here you go moms! It doesn’t get easier than this. I know a lot of you were looking for something tasty and quick for the Thanksgiving holiday. This a recipe from Keebler for Pumpkin Mousse Pie.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups cold milk                                                     1 cup canned pumpkin

1 package (4 serving size) vanilla flavor pudding    1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping

1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice                                 1  pre-made graham cracker pie crust

1)In large bowl beat milk, pudding mix and spice with wire whisk for 1 1/2 minutes. Whisk in pumpkin. Fold in half of whipped topping. Spread in crust.

2)Top with remaining whipped topping.

3)Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Garnish as desired. Store in refrigerator

makes 8 servings

*Note: May substitute 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves in place of pumpkin pie spice.

This is a great recipe I found on the back of a Campbell’s condensed soup can. It’s super easy to make and the whole family will enjoy it (as long as they like tuna )

Prep Time: 10 mins             Bake Time: 20 mins                  Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients:

1 can (10 3/4 oz) Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup

1/2 cup of milk

1 cup frozen peas

2 cans (about 6 oz. each) tuna, drained

2 cups hot cooked medium egg noodles

2 tbsp. dry bread crumbs

1 tbsp. butter, melted

Stir soup, milk, peas, tuna and noodles in 1 1/2 qt. casserole. Bake at 400F for 20 min. or until hot. Stir. Mix bread crumbs with butter and sprinkle on top. Bake for 5 min. more.

Add a side salad and a light desert then whallaaa! Dinner is ready in under 30 mins