warm mornings

I've said it before, I like to start the day off eating right, even if I'm ending it with a molten lava cake. This is my way of creating balance. This is my way of justifying a cookie. This is my way of getting some much needed nutrients. This is my way of a warm, healthy breakfast on a cold morning. It's pretty tasty having it my way.

Normally I'm not crazy about baked apple pies/desserts/oatmeal, but I thought if I shredded the apple it would just meld into the oatmeal. The additional crunch of the almonds also took away from the baked apple texture that I dislike, making this delicious and more like a treat. It doesn't feel healthy it just tastes amazing, especially with the cinnamon yogurt sauce.

I love baking this on the weekend and then reheating any leftovers throughout the week. I can't tell you how gratifying it is to have a warm, filling breakfast on a winter day... and then repeat it all over again the next day! Who needs cereal?

shaken, with a twist

After realizing that September's Avid Baker's Challenge was another yeast-based recipe, I was shaken. I mean, we all remember how my "focaccia" turned out: flat and crispy... basically, the exact opposite of focaccia. But I was ready for a redemption, so I gave myself plenty of time to let this baby rise for as long as it wanted to (and it wanted to rise All. Day.).

I wasn't crazy about the idea of apples in the bread, so I only did half the amount called for, and the other half I replaced with crunchy pecans- a perfect complement to the cinnamon and apples. I replaced some of the all-purpose flour for whole-wheat flour and reduced the sugar in the dough because I knew the glaze would be sweet enough. 

Speaking of the glaze, it's completely unnecessary (and I normally love glaze). I even made the glaze with cream cheese so it was extra tasty, but since the bread isn't too sweet it just seemed to overpower it. The recipe makes 2 loaves and one loaf I glazed, the other I left plain, and the plain one not only lasted longer, but it was amazing sliced, toasted and slathered with butter (as are most breads, I realize). 

Kitchen Fixation; October

Every month I’m going to feature an essential product that I use in the kitchen.

For October, my kitchen fixation is an apple corer. Yeah, I know. This isn't glamorous or anything, but it has become a real necessity lately. I told my husband I was going to write about it and he said, "I love that thing" and since he doesn't cook at all, this is high praise.

I went apple picking recently and have found an apple corer to be my latest go-to tool. I really needed it when I attempted, and failed, in making applesauce (gottta love picky two year olds). Even if homemade applesauce is off the menu we eat a lot of apples around here.

the cutest, pickiest two year old

Apple corers do just that; remove the core. It’s made my life easier when I’m cutting an apple because the straight edge of a knife just doesn't carve out the core like the round tubular shape of  the apple corer. The one I have is from here and it's amazing because its stainless steel tube has tough little serrated teeth that can easily cut through the apple and pull out the core. Also great? It’s dishwasher safe. Sold!

I've seen plastic designs and can't imagine them piercing a hard apple very well, but maybe I'm wrong? Anyone have a different model they use? Any Fall kitchen tool necessities in your life right now?