Try Something New This Turkey Day

 Is your Thanksgiving menu set? Hopefully it's getting close. We are down to less than 2 weeks and with the way the grocery store shelves have been looking lately, I have fears of fights breaking out over the last package of stuffing mix or can of green beans. 

So that menu you're planning...is it more traditional or are you switching it up a bit with some new dishes? A mix of both perhaps? I think most of us fall into that last category. We want all the favorites we look forward to every year (bring on the cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole) but love to incorporate some new things to try too.  

This recipe is one of those that is new, but contains familiar flavors in a new, updated way. If you've never eaten raw Brussels sprouts, it might seem a little strange to you, but I promise they are delicious! We love my Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, and they make a terrific holiday side dish as well, but for this one, I wanted something a little lighter and fresher. 

With the pecans, dried cranberries and golden raisins, this salad really takes on an autumnal flare. The lemony dressing is refreshing and will cleanse your palate after all that heavy Thanksgiving food we love so much!

When using raw Brussels sprouts, you just want to make sure you chop them or shave them as thin as possible. A mandolin works great, but I just use a really sharp chef's knife to achieve the same thing. They are very crunchy, but as the acid in the dressing sets in, they will soften just a bit. 

The only downside to this salad, since I believe in complete transparency, is it doesn't work well left over.  But I guess in the world of Thanksgiving leftovers, that might not be such a bad thing since the fridge will be overflowing with containers of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and more! 

If you're looking for that one new side dish for your holiday this year, I would be so happy if this was it. I love sharing new ideas with all of you and sharing in your holiday memories! 

Autumn Brussels Sprout Salad

1 lb. Brussels Sprouts, ends trimmed and thinly sliced, raw

2 red delicious apples, finely chopped

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup golden raisins

1/3 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

1 TBS lemon juice

2 TBS apple cider vinegar

1 TBS maple syrup

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

Salt and Pepper 

In a large bowl mix sprouts, apples, cranberries and golden raisins. In a medium bowl whisk together oil, lemon juice, garlic, vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, salt and pepper until well combined. Pour over salad. Add pecans and mix again. Top with cheese and serve. 

 

Shared at Weekend Potluck
 

 

Autumn Inspired Recipe Challenge

Ya'll know how much I love a good recipe contest/challenge! Creating something new to share with all of you, and a chance to win...sign me up!

Today's contest comes from my new friends at Lang's Chocolates. If you've never heard of them, let me introduce you a little. Located in central Pennsylvania (which you know is near and dear to my heart), they are a family operated business focused on strong values. Their chocolates are made in small batches, almost "to order", and I'm guessing you might recognize their signature red boxes!

Everything about them is what I look for in a company I want to work with. So when they offered to send me some of their Keystone Pantry Allulose to experiment with in my kitchen, for a chance to win some cash, I was immediately on board!

 Lang’s Chocolates Keystone Pantry Allulose natural rare sugar sweetener, is Non-GMO, Gluten Free and Vegan friendly! It can easily be swapped out for sugar in any of your favorite recipes.
Allulose is a rare sugar, meaning it naturally occurs in natural products! It is an ultra low calorie sugar with only 1- calorie per teaspoon. It has browning characteristics as white sugar but almost none of the calories. (However, when used in baking it will brown faster than sugar so may require a slightly lower cooking temperature.)

Oh, what to make, what to make? Since we are officially into October now, I've got all things autumn on the brain. And what is more autumn-esque than a delicious apple dessert? This one happens to be easy enough for any weeknight too! 

Be sure to check out Lang's Chocolates online, where you can also purchase some Allulose to try in your own recipes! Oh and follow them on Facebook and Instagram too to see all of the recipe submissions! Wish me luck!

Baked Apple Delight

4 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced

1/4 c. apple juice

1 stick butter, cubed

3/4 c. allulose natural sugar sweetener

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

3 tsp. cinnamon, extra for garnish

1/2 c. chopped pecans

1/3 c. golden raisins

Angel Food Cake

Whipped Cream

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 1 quart baking dish. Placed sliced apples in dish. In a medium bowl mix together apple juice, sweetener, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Pour over apples and stir lightly. Dot with butter. Sprinkle with raisins and pecans. Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes- 1 hour until browned and apples are tender. Stir before serving. Serve warm over sliced angel food cake with whipped cream and cinnamon on top. *NOTE* The golden raisins can get dark in the baking process. Don't worry, they taste just fine!

Disclaimer: I received a free product to use in my entry in the contest. The thoughts & recipe are all mine. 

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Simple Weekend, Simple Dessert

Do you ever have those weekends you have to actually schedule time at home? That was us this past weekend. There was so much to get done outside, and Alex had a big project for school...I knew it was time for mama to step in and black out a couple days on the calendar. 

It feels like if the weeks fly by, the weekends are on jet speed. Like I told my mom, "It is nice to know we don't have to be anywhere." 

I had gotten a couple frozen pizzas at the grocery store, some chips, the boys and I had made some Halloween and Star Wars Jell-O Jigglers, all I needed was dessert.  And I had just the thing.

I had this bad boy tucked away on my "must try before holidays" list and I knew this was the perfect time to test it out. I love being able to give you guys ideas way ahead of time so you can plan, and hopefully be a little less stressed out. 

I had actually planned on making this Sunday to go with our "big meal" but couldn't wait any longer! Plus I figured we would have some leftovers so it could work for both days.

This is something magical. First of all, your house is going to smell like fall while it cooks; and even more so, like a holiday. Secondly, if you can chop, stir and set a timer, you will rock this. 

I'm not much of a baker. I wasn't before Max, and now with the 14 month old literally hanging on my legs while I'm in the kitchen, there is no crust making going on! The best way I can describe this is "naked apple pie". (Thank you to my friend Roxie who gave me that!)

In fact, when I was trying to figure out what to call this, I asked friends and fans on Facebook, and promised to mention the one I liked best. Well, Roxie's worked perfectly as a description, but as far as the actual recipe name, I took a few suggestions and put them together to find the right one.  So thank you also, for everyone who left a comment and totally inspired me! 

This is so simple it's perfect any night of the week, or on your simple weekend. Or like I said, save it when Thanksgiving rolls around...which is quicker than you might think!

Autumn Apple Delight

5 Honeycrisp Apples, cored and chopped SKIN ON

1 c. golden raisins

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. chopped walnuts

1 TBS ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground allspice

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl combine all ingredients. Stir well to coat. Transfer to a deep dish pie plate. Cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Stir gently. Bake another 20 minutes, uncovered, until apples are tender. Serve alone or over dessert shells, pound cake, angel food cake or ice cream. Store in fridge and reheat as wanted.

Inspired by Southern Plate