Seven Things You Didn't Know You Could Waffle!

What fun is this! I'm bringing my waffle iron out of storage.

This isn’t so much about how to make macaroni and cheese as it is about what to do with leftovers. Waffling the next day allows the outside to develop a nice crunch in the iron’s high, double-sided heat while the inside melts into perfection.

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Graveyard Taco Appetizer

Made even easier with ready-made Costco layered bean dip.

Recipe 

Apple Pear Strudel With Dried Fruit and Almonds

You, too, may have pears and apples in your garden. If so, this is a perfect recipe for the combination. And, of course, your local Farmer's Market will carry whatever's ripe and ready to harvest. Here's a super simple way to enjoy Nature's Bounty.

Here's the recipe!

Pantry Staples/Simple Recipes

With fresh-from-your-garden (or farmer's market) heirloom tomatoes...I'm definitely trying this tomorrow!

How did this evolve into a food/recipe blog? I'll get back to other things soon.

Heirloom tomato and mozzarella tart recipe

puff pastry pizza recipe

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Easiest Ever Rustic Apple Tart

This recipe looks terrific, doesn't it?  Turns out that IT IS!!!

This time we used Trader Joe's prepared Pie Crusts/found in freezer section of store. Much better than the Pillsbury Pie dough that we used in the recipe shared earlier. I also cut the amount of sugar in half/delicious.

Really, how can you go wrong with these fresh, simple ingredients.

Prosciutto, Fig and Arugula Flatbread

Yep, I'm pretty sure that this is the recipe brought by dinner guests last night. It was soooooo delicious.

A great seasonal dish!

Our Favorite Super Easy French Apple Tart

It's a wonderful time of year.  Harvesting apples, either from your own garden or a local farmer's market.

This remains one of my all-time favorite fall desserts. Perfect with coffee in the morning or at the end of the day after dinner.

Here's my simplified version of Ina Garten's French Apple Tart. 

Ina's recipe.

My modifications:

• Substitute refrigerated pie dough, such as Trader Joe's (Pillsbury contains hydrogenated fat), for her homemade pastry if you're short of time.
• Rather than the recommended 1/2 cup of sugar, I lightly sprinkle a tablespoon (max) over the apples if they are particularly tart. Otherwise, I skip this addition entirely. I find that the jam provides plenty of sweetness. 
• Finally, I substitute Grand Marnier or Cointreau for the rum.

To speed through the coring, peeling and slicing, I use the gadget below. AND I never worry about removing what little peel is left on the apples. 

Cheers!

It's available through Amazon. 

Peeling Apples the EASY way!

Our apple tree branches are burgeoning with fruit that's almost ready to harvest. Mmmmmm! Fresh applesauce and homemade apple tarts. I'll post my favorite, easy recipes.

Why didn't we think of this super simple/fun way of doing the peeling? Love love love it! 

Watch the following video and then go shopping for apples! 

How to peel a bunch of apples.

Thanks, Susan R! WHAT FUN IS THIS? 

Make a Meal of Appetizers

There's nothing I like better than a tapa-style dinner. Here's one of my favorite additions.

recipe

Cherry-Chocolate Ice Cream

Mmmmmmmmmmm. Fresh cherries and chocolate ice cream. A winning duo. Loved this.

recipe