Buttermilk Pie

Note:   This is my favorite fall pie.   Simple, delicious, warm and delicious.    Does it get any better?


Buttermilk Pie

Ingredients
3/4 stick of margarine melted
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
4 eggs




Directions
Mix all of the ingredients together well and pour into a pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Double Dipped Caramel Apples

Note: We love caramel apples. They are so much fun to make. So much fun to eat. BUT, they are also so much fun to share with friends and family as special treats during the fall season! My boys define these as yummy to the tummy.

Double Dipped Caramel Apples
Ingredients
5 Granny Smith apples (or Fuji)
5 popsicle sticks
14 ounces (about 50 pieces) of unwrapped caramels
2 Tbsp water
12 ounces semisweet chocolate
"Toppings": mini M&M's, nuts, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips,

Directions
Rinse and dry your apples. Insert popsicle sticks about halfway into apples. Bring a pan of water to a boil. Place caramels and 2 Tbsp water into a bowl and place over the boiling water and stir until melted. Dip each apple into the caramel about 1/2 - 3/4 of the way. Use a spoon to wipe off excess caramel back into teh bowl and place apple on waxed paper. Once all the apples have been dipped, place them (still on wax paper) in the refrigerator to get firm for about five minutes.

Re-boil water and place chocolate over boiling water to melt. Take apples out of the refrigerator and dip each apple in the chocolate. Place each apple on wax paper to set for about 10 minutes.

Take each apple and roll the bottom 1/3 in the topping of your choice. Seasonal colored sprinkles look great or just tickle your taste buds with your favorite crushed candy bar or candy pieces.


Let's go find my yummy to my tummy recipes at Tempt My Tummy Tuesday!

Bananas -- Good For You!

Note: Little Guy and I have been going through a banana phase. He and I can plow through 4-6 bananas in a day. I am not sure what started it, but now that we have gotten started we can't seem to stop. We decided to research the benefits of bananas the other day and this is what we found.

Bananas Are Good for You!

Bananas: Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fibre, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Anemia: Very High in iron, so helps in cases of anemia

Blood Pressure: Extremely high in potassium yet low in salt. The US Food and Drug Administration allows the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Depression: Amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. Bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body; so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance.

Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine," eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Temperature Control: Many cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

A banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare bananas to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.

Chicken Au Gratin Casserole

Note:    Some people would never think of using boxes to prepare a meal, but I am going to be honest and say that when it comes to getting food on the table... some nights I am willing to use any trick I can.    The boys love this recipe.    It is easy for me and yummy to them.


Chicken Au Gratin Casserole

Ingredients

4 boxes au gratin potatoes and ingredients listed on box to prepare
dried minced onions
dried parsley flakes
fresh ground pepper to taste
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts, thawed

Directions

In large lasagna size pan, place all the potatoes and add the ingredients listed on the box.   Place chicken breasts in mixture.   Sprinkle with dried onion,  and parsley; add pepper.  

Bake at 375 degrees for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, covering with foil if it gets too brown. Allow to sit 5 minutes and serve.

Crock Pot Version:   Prepare as directed and put in crockpot on low.    A great way to serve this.

Fall Snack Mix

Note: Every season seems to have its own snacks. For our family, this simple snack mix is one of our favorites. We keep the ratio of the healthy parts of it outnumbering the "sweet" parts of it.

Fall Snack Mix

Ingredients
peanuts
cashews
candy corn
dried fruit (whatever you like)
Reese's pieces

Directions
Toss all together and eat as you are hungry. For movie times, we pop a bag of popcorn and toss a couple of handfuls into the bowl. It is a nice snack with lots of salty and sweet!

Frito Pie

Note: Why eat a plain old bowl of chili when you can have it as Frito Pie? Or at least that is my boy's motto!

Frito Pie

Ingredients
1 "Our Favorite Chili" Recipe
1 bag of Fritos (scoops or regular - your choice)
2 cups of cheddar cheese
sour cream
jalapenos.

Directions
Layer chili and Fritos in a 2 quart casserole dish. Top with cheddar cheese. Bake in oven at 350 degrees until fully heated and bubbly.

Serve in bowls and topped with sour cream and jalapenos.


I've missed a few weeks at Tempt My Tummy Tuesday so I am anxious to join back up with my favorite recipe source. Hope you will join me!

Our Favorite Chili

Note: I asked Little Guy if I could have my kitchen back because with all this cooler weather I have really been wanting some chili. After I made it I decided to make Frito Pie (recipe next).

Our Favorite Chili

Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 cups water
2 teaspoons paprika
4 teaspoons cumin
1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 cup chili powder
1 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 tablespoons masa harina flour
1/4 cup hot water

Directions

Brown beef; drain. Add tomato sauce, 2 cups water, paprika, cumin, onion flakes, garlic salt, chili powder, and ground red pepper. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Dissolve 2 tablespoons masa into 1/4 cup hot water to make a thick, but flowable mixture. Add masa mixture to chili. Cover and simmer another 15-20 minutes.