Apricot Cherry Crumble

I just made this recipe and it was so delicious!  If you come visit me this time next year I will make some for you with the apricots in my backyard.

Apricot-Cherry Crumble  (Tori Ritchie)
Serves 6
 
Prep time: 20 minutes                        Bake time: 35 to 40 minutes
 
1-1/2 pounds firm-ripe apricots
1/2 pound sweet cherries
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 tablespoons flour
 
topping
3/4 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup rolled oats
 
Preheat an oven to 375°F. Cut each apricot in half and discard the pit, then cut each half into 6 chunks. Cut cherries in half, pulling out the pits as you go. Put pitted apricots and cherries in a bowl and sprinkle with the granulated sugar and flour; stir in the almond extract and mix well. Set aside.
 
To make the topping, in a food processor, pulse the almonds and brown sugar until the almonds are finely chopped (if you don’t have a food processor, see note below). Add butter and pulse until just blended. Spread the apricot-cherry mixture into a 1-1/2 quart (6 cup) gratin dish or 7x9-inch baking dish. Scrape the almond mixture from the food processor into the bowl used for the fruit and stir in the oats, blending in any juices left behind in the bowl. Spread topping over fruit in baking dish.
 
Bake until fruit is bubbly and topping is golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes or so before serving warm or let cool to room temperature.
 
note: you can grind the brown sugar and almonds in a blender, but then transfer to a bowl and blend in the soft butter with a wooden spoon.

Double Chocolate Banana Cake

I made this the other day and everyone at our house loved it!  I found it at Super Healthy Kids.

3 medium bananas
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup applesauce
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 cup flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/8 cup mini chocolate chips

1. In a mixing bowl mix the bananas and brown sugar until the bananas are mashed and the sugar is dissolved.

2. Add the applesauce, vanilla, and egg.  Mix together.

3. Add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.  Mix until well incorporated.

4. Fold in the chocolate chips.  Pour batter into a greased 8x8-inch baking dish.  Sprinkle the top with mini chocolate chips.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes.  Best eaten warm.

Turkey Meatball Soup

This is adapted from Deceptively Delicious.  Since the meatballs are a little time consuming sometimes I double them and freeze half so that I save myself a step the next time I make this soup.  Also, I sometimes leave out the carrot puree.

3 oz pasta (bowties or wagon wheels).  I usually add a lot more than this... about 3-5 handfuls.
1 TB olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (28-oz) can whole peeled tomatoes, with their juice
1/4 c carrot puree
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 c beef or chicken broth

3 slices whole wheat bread, cubed (this is what the recipe calls for but I like how they turn out with bread crumbs... about 1 c. bread crumbs = 4 slices of bread)
1 lg egg
1/4 c sweet potato puree
1/4 c milk
2 TB grated parmesan, plus more for serving
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp paprika
1/2 lb ground turkey

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente.  Drain in a colander and set aside.

Add oil to large pot over medium-high heat.  Add onion and garlic.  Cook, stirring often, until the onion is softened but not browned, 3-4 minutes.

Puree the tomatoes and their juice with the carrot puree in a food processor or blender, then add to the pot along with 1/2 tsp salt.  Add the broth, reduce heat to low, and simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes.

Meanwhile, put the bread in a large bowl.  Add the egg, sweet potato puree, milk, parmesan, 1 tsp salt, pepper, and paprika, and let soak until the bread is very soft.  Stir to break up the bread, add the ground turkey, and mix until smooth.  Form into mini-meatballs 1/2 in diameter.

Add the meatballs to the pot.  Simmer, covered, until the meatballs are no longer pink in the center, 12-15 minutes.  Stir in the pasta.  Serve sprinkled with parmesan.

Menu 1/6/13 and 1/13/13

Roast, potatoes, carrots, Texas Roadhouse rolls
Ham and swiss rolls, fruit
chicken tacos (with cafe rio chicken), spanish rice
baked oatmeal, scrambled eggs
spaghetti, salad, bread
pizza, smoothies

Comfort Meatballs, mashed potatoes, veggie
baked potato bar
tomato soup, grilled cheese, fruit
egg burritos, fruit
homemade chicken nuggets, fries, fruit/veggie 

Weekly Menu 6/17 and 6/24... Jeanine

Turkey meatball soup, rolls, salad, fruit
steak and chicken kababs, rice, watermelon
chicken salad croissants, fruit
BLTs, veggie and fruit tray
spaghetti, salad
fried eggs, black beans, rice
ham and swiss rolls, fruit and veggie tray
pancakes, eggs, fruit
pizza, smoothies
hamburgers, potato salad, fruit
german pancakes, sausage, smoothie