Easy Fall Cranberry Apple Casserole

Here is one more apple recipe that I just love!  I call it one of "Sunday go to meeting" recipes! 

 I thought with all of the Holidays coming up and all of the church homecomings just around the corner I would share a few of my favorites with you in my next few posts.  

This is also a very easy casserole dish and it can also be fixed in a hurry.  Enjoy!

 Ingredients:
1 large can (21 ounce) apple pie filling 
(sugar-free is fine!)

1 can (16 ounce) whole berry cranberry sauce

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cup rolled oats (that's oatmeal y'all!)

3/4 cup brown sugar

 Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine the pie filling and the cranberry sauce in a 8X8 or a 9X9 baking dish.  Mix the butter, oats and brown sugar until it is crumbly.  Sprinkle this over the fruit mixture and bake for 40 minutes.  That's it...easy peasy!

You can also use cherry or peach pie filling...it is wonderful and so easy!

Apple Crisp

I think I officially have the Fall baking fever! 

I am ready for some cool weather...and the wonderful smell of cinnamon swirling in the air! 

Here is a wonderful recipe for Apple Crisp.  Enjoy!

Apple Filling:
8 Cups apples (peeled, cored & sliced)
2 Tablespoons of lemon juice
2 Tablespoons of Sugar or Splenda

Topping:
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt

Mix the topping ingredients together and place in the fridge. This will help make the topping crispy and so good!  

Peel, core and slice your apples.  Toss the apples with the lemon juice and sugar.  Place the apples on a greased 9X9 baking dish.  Spread your chilled topping over the apples.

Bake at 375 for 35-45 minutes.  Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.  Don't be afraid to add a little vanilla ice cream on the side...oh yeah!  

Yummy Chicken Bake

Well finally fall is just around the corner!  

Here is a very easy casserole that will really hit the spot on some of those cool evenings coming up or possibly for some of those Homecomings awaiting us in just a few weeks!


Ingredients:
2-10 ounce packages of frozen broccoli spears
6-cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup of butter
1-8 ounce package of low-fat cream cheese (Weights Watchers brand is very good!)
1/2 cup mayonaise


Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Place the broccoli in a 9x13 casserole dish sprayed with cooking spray.  Arrange the chicken on the broccoli.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Melt the butter over medium heat and stir in all the remaining ingredients and blend well.  Heat this mixture frequently until the cream cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy.  Pour this over the chicken and bake for 35 minutes or until bubbly and broccoli is tender.


Yum yum!

Zucchini Meat Loaf

Here is a yummy meatloaf!  It is even a good way to sneak in some extra veggies for the kids!  Enjoy!


Ingredients:
2 eggs; slightly beaten
2 cups shredded zucchini (1 large or 2 small will do)
1/3 cup plain bread crumbs (can use finely crushed crackers if you don't have bread crumbs)
1/3 chopped onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves (or ground oregano is fine)
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 and 1/2 pound lean (at least 80%) ground beef (can use half beef and half turkey)


Topping:
1 Tablespoon packed brown sugar
2 Tablespoons ketchup
1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard


Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees.  In a  large mixing bowl, mix all of the meat loaf ingredients together until well blended.  Press this mixture into an ungreased 9 1/2 inch deep-dish glass pie plate. (It cooks a LOT quicker in a pie plate!)  Bake for 35 minutes.


While this is baking, in a small bowl, mix all of the topping ingredients together.


Remove the meatloaf from the oven and pour off drippings.  Spread the topping over the meat loaf.  Return it to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until fully cooked in the center.  Let it stand for at least 5 minutes before serving.  


8 servings @ only 200 calories per serving.  

Homemade Salsa

As many of you already know, I  am extremely fond of Mexican food! 

This summer, our little backyard garden yielded quite a bumper crop of beautiful tomatoes which made perfect SALSA!  However, when fresh tomatoes are not available, canned tomatoes along with a few fresh ingredients make a wonderful homemade salsa.

Here is the recipe!

Ingredients:
1-12 ounce can diced tomatoes; drained
1-can Rotel tomatoes; drained (I used mild)
2-cloves fresh garlic
1/2 yellow onion diced
10-12 sprigs of Cilantro 
juice of 1/2 fresh lime
dash salt


Put all ingredients in a food processor/blender and mix well until desired consistency.  Yum and Ole'!!!

Easy South of the Border Burgers

As you have probably already noticed...I love Mexian food!  Here is a recipe for easy hamburgers with a Mexican flair just in time for summer grilling.  Enjoy!

South of the Border Burgers
Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 can (small) chopped green chilies, drained
1 small onion,finely chopped
salsa, for topping

Instructions:
Mix ground beef, taco seasoning mix, green chilies, finely chopped onion in a bowl.

Shape into 4 patties and grill (3-4 minutes per side will be medium doneness).

Serve with salsa on buns.

Ole' and Yum-may!!!!!

Mixed Berry Crumble

MIXED BERRY CRUMBLE

This is a wonderful Weight Watcher's friendly recipe that can be used with all types of fresh or frozen berries!  It is yummy AND Weight Watcher's friendly at only 4 points per serving...of course...it will be a LITTLE more for the vanilla ice cream on top!   Enjoy!

Ingredients:
2 cup(s) blueberries
2 cup(s) raspberries
3/4 cup(s) all-purpose flour
2/3 cup(s) unpacked light brown sugar
1/4 pound(s) butter, melted (1 stick)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350˚F.
Place berries in a medium bowl. In another medium bowl, combine flour and sugar. Remove 3 tablespoons of flour mixture and gently toss with berries. Place berries in an 8-inch square pan.
To make topping, add melted butter to remaining flour mixture; combine well. Crumble little bits of topping all over top of berries. Bake until berries just start to bubble, about 35 to 40 minutes. Cut into 8 pieces; serve warm or at room temperature.
 
Yields 1 piece per servings at 4 points per serving.