Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Apple Cider Doughnuts



I've been on an apple kick lately.  You'll see...

I love them and look forward to when they are in season every year.  I grew up eating apples, and always try to find ways to include that flavor in our foods.

Today's post, while it doesn't follow the "healthy" food wave of the new year, it is healthier than popping a fried doughnut in your mouth!  They are baked.  That at least cuts down on the fat grams.  But the best part is the flavor, they have that great apple harvest flavor using a reduced cider.  Sooo tasty!

Using those new doughnut pans is really easy and allows you to bake them at home in no time at all.

Try some of the season's best fruits.  You know they way they say..."An apple a day......"

 

 

 

 






Apple Cider Doughnuts

Makes 12

Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
3 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. cinnamon

Apple Cider Doughnuts:
1 cup apple cider
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled, divided

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray doughnut pan with cooking spray.

Stir together cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.  Set aside

Place apple cider in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle boil over medium-low heat. Let apple cider boil until reduced to 1/4 cup. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl add flour, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add apple cider, buttermilk, eggs and 2 Tbsp. of the melted butter.  Mix until combined. 

Spoon batter into a plastic Ziploc bag.  Push batter down to one corner by twisting the bag.  Snip off one corner making a small hole.  Fill doughnut pan 2/3 of the way full. 

Bake doughnuts 7-10 minutes until golden brown and firm to the touch. Let them cool in the pan 5 minutes before removing.

Dip warm doughnuts in remaining melted butter, then in remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

21 Ways to Top a Bagel



Happy New Year!

Wishing you all the best year yet!


When the new year begins I always think of a organization, eating healthy, and how to make budget friendly meals.


For the past few days I've been going through drawers and getting rid of items that are not needed, packing for donations etc....organizing shelves in the meantime, hence the organization.


Another quest is to eat more whole grains, fruit, and vegetables this year.  That should help the eating healthy goal!


And I have to admit, I have a little bit of a stock pile when it comes to food.  I buy on sale, and freeze.  Which is good right?  I'm also known to buy more food instead of eating what's in the freezer already....eeks!  Bad...Bad.


So I'm taking a new approach and planning my menus around items I have on hand, with a little help for the grocer.  This should save on the budget!






One way to get the most use out of your food is to utilize an item in different ways.  So I bring to you a post using bagels!  I love them, doesn't everybody?  They are so versatile.  You can use them to prepare breakfast or lunch, plain or all fancied up! Now I don't freeze these but who can buy just one bagel?  So buy several, or a bagful...they are perfect for a variety of toppings.  Here are some of my favorites.  



21 Ways to Top a Bagel

  • Plain Butter. That’s it…enough said! 
  • Strawberry or Grape Jelly
  • Peanut Butter
  • Peanut Butter and Grape Jelly
  • Peanut Butter and Honey
  • Cream Cheese
  • Cottage Cheese, plain or with cucumbers and tomatoes 
  • Tomato and Mozzarella, broiled
  • Cream Cheese and Sliced Cucumbers
  • Scrambled Egg and Cheese
  • Scrambled Egg and Tomato
  • Sliced Tomato and Grated cheddar cheese, melted
  • Pizza Bagel - tomato sauce and grated Cheese, melted
  • Chicken Salad
  • Turkey Deli slices with mustard, tomato, and lettuce
  • Pumpkin Butter
  • Lox and Cream Cheese
  • Apple Butter
  • Cream Cheese with Pecans and Raisins
  • Hummus
  • Nutella
Enjoy a bagel tomorrow!

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