Caramel Apples

KIPP Academy of Opportunity fifth graders celebrated halloween with an $80 average paycheck party. Our bundles of energy contained their excitement through five classes, working hard even though it was obvious their mind was on the festivities planned for the day. Along with watching halloween themed movies, dancing to thrilling and enjoying coveted social time, our KIPPsters made their own caramel apples. This was a fun fall group activity because kids were able to choose their toppings and decorate their own apples to take home. After the kids had their messy fun, the teachers dunked away. As a lover of pecans, I found the apple, caramel, pecan combination heavenly on halloween. 

Ingredients:
8 small apples, washed, well dried
1 bag (11 oz.)  Caramel Candy
2 Tbsp. water

Toppings (mini-chocolate chips, pecan pieces, walnuts, coconut, sprinkles)

Popsicle sticks

Directions:
1. Cover large plate with parchment paper. Insert one wooden pop stick into stem end of an apple. 

2. Place caramel in medium saucepan. Add water; cook on medium-low heat 3 min. or until caramel bits are completely melted, stirring constantly. You can also microwave the caramel candies for 2 minutes in a microwave safe bowl. Warning, caramel will be VERY hot. Stir gently, I learned the hard way.
3. Dip apples into melted caramel until evenly coated, spooning caramel over apples if necessary. Allow excess caramel to drip off. Dip in desired topping. Do not roll in the mini-chocolate chips. This will create a melted mess. Place on parchment paper. Ideally, refrigerate at least 1 hour, but you probably won't be able to wait. If you manage to wait, remove from refrigerator 15 min. before serving.

Classic Beef Chili

I love making chili on a Sunday night, sticking it in the fridge, and having it ready for a weeknight meal. Chili is one of those meals that tastes better the longer it sits, so a day or two in the fridge will only make it better. I've tried dozens of chili recipes in search of the perfect basic recipe. I've experimented with different regional styles, a variety of meats, bean combinations and more. After several years of searching, this recipe finally satisfied my need for a good pot of beef kidney bean chili with a delicious balance of spice and sweetness. I still love my Moroccan chili, but for a simple classic chili, this has become my go-to recipe. 

Ingredients
6 ounces hot turkey Italian sausage (2-3 links)
1 chopped onion
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
8 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound ground sirloin
1 jalapeño pepper, chopped
2 generous tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 generous tablespoon ground cumin
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 bay leaves
1 1/4 cups Merlot
2 (28-ounce) cans whole tomatoes, undrained and coarsely chopped
2 (15-ounce) cans kidney beans, drained
Cheddar cheese for topping

Directions:

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Remove casings from sausage. Add sausage, onion, pepper, garlic, beef and jalapeno to pan; cook 8 minutes or until sausage and beef are browned, stirring to crumble.

Add chili powder and the next 7 ingredients (chili powder through bay leaves), and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in wine, tomatoes, and kidney beans; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Uncover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the bay leaves. Sprinkle each serving with cheddar cheese.

Makes 8 servings.

Pumpkin Pie Bites

Is October too early to be baking mini-pumpkin pies? I found these on bakerella, and I couldn't resist. These baby pumpkin bites make me so excited for Thanksgiving. 78 degree days at the end of October is glorious, but I am looking forward to bundling up in Michigan, cooking delicious comfort food, and spending time with family.  I guess I'll patiently pop pumpkin pie bites while I wait. 

Ingredients:
2 refrigerated ready-to roll pie crusts
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Optional
Candied Pecan Halves

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Use a circle cookie cutter to cut 24 circles from the pie crust. You will need to roll the dough thinner than it comes out of the box.
Press dough shapes into a 24 cup mini muffin tray.
Apply egg whites from one egg to the top edges of each pie.
Mix cream cheese, sugar, canned pumpkin, remaining 2 eggs, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice together until thoroughly combined.
Spoon mixture into each pie crust and top with a candied pecan.
Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Makes 24 pies. Keep refrigerated.

Sweet Potato Orzo Stuffed Acorn Squash

This is the longest name ever for a recipe. It doesn't even include goat's cheese, a crucial ingredient to this dish that the Lowry clan just finished enjoying. Here's the story of how this recipe ended up on my blog. I plan my meals for the week on Sunday. I go to the store, and buy all the ingredients so that I'm good to go for the week. I try to reduce any errands that need to be run during the week because after a long day of teaching I just need to get home, go on a run and cook. Today, however, things were a little different. KIPP treated us to an afternoon off of meetings, meaning I was done at 1:15. Alaina and I decided to take advantage of the afternoon and have lunch and shop at the LA Farmer's Market. We enjoyed sweet and savory crepes, then hit the stands. I fell in love with Pappardelle Pasta. They have such a unique variety of pastas including tomato basil penne, dark chocolate linguine, roasted red pepper lasagna and so much more. I was drawn to the sweet potato orzo and dark chocolate linguine, and when I went to pay it was suggested that I serve it with acorn squash and goat's cheese. I froze. I just stood there listening, and thought, "Yes. That is seasonal, sounds incredible. I must make this tonight." Poor Alaina had to run around the market with me finding ingredients for my must make meal, but it was well worth it. Alaina, I'm cooking this for you next weekend. You will love it, and so will anyone else who enjoys sweet, savory creamy deliciousness. Brent, Marta and I scraped the heck out of those acorn squash.

Ingredients:

3 Acorn squash
Olive Oil
Brown Sugar
Maple Syrup
Dash of Salt
4-6 oz. Goat's Cheese

8 oz. Sweet Potato Orzo (I'm sure regular is good too)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Using a strong chef's knife carefully cut the acorn squash in half, lengthwise, from stem to end. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy stuff in the center of each half. Score the insides of each half several times with a sharp knife. Place each half in a baking pan, cut side up. Add about a 1/4 inch of water to the bottom of the baking pan so that the skins don't burn and the squash doesn't get dried out.
3. Coat the inside of each half with a drizzle of olive oil. Add a dash of salt if you are using unsalted butter. Add about a teaspoon brown sugar to the cavity of each half. Dribble on a teaspoon of maple syrup to each half. Use a brush to spread olive oil, maple syrup and brown sugar. 

4. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes, until the squash is very soft and the tops are browned. 

5. Meanwhile, cook orzo in a pot of rapidly boiling salted water until al dente (about 8 minutes). Drain well and rinse with warm water. Mix in half of the goat's cheese.
6. Remove from oven, and stuff each acorn half with a orzo. Place back in over for an additional 10 minutes. 

7. Remove from oven again. Cool for 5 minutes, then top with remaining goat's cheese, salt and pepper. 

Serves 3-4