Apple Butter (Vita-Mix Recipe)

This recipe is from Vita-Mix website. Jeff loves apple butter, so I decided to try this (easy) recipe. It turned out great!

Apple Butter

1/2 cup (120 ml) apple cider
6 apples (preferably MacIntosh), stems removed, quartered with seeds and skins.
1/2-inch square piece fresh ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ground)
1 teaspoons allspice
1/4 cup (55 g) dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves

1. Place apples, cider and ginger into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 5 or 6.
4. Blend for 10 seconds until chopped. If necessary, use the tamper to press any ingredients into the blades.
5. Increase speed to Variable 10, then to High. Blend for 3-4 minutes until mixture is smooth.
6. Spray insides of crockpot with cooking spray for easy cleanup. Pour ingredients from Vitamix container into the crockpot. Stir in sugar and spices.
7. Cook 4 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low uncovered until mixture is dark brown. Freeze or process for canning any leftovers. Recipe may be multiplied.

Makes 3 (8 oz) jars.

Beef Burrito Skillet

This was very good! If you don't add the tortillas and cheese at the end, you can just use the meat mixture to put in regular tacos or for dipping with tortilla chips.

Beef Burrito Skillet

1 lb lean ground beef
Taco Seasoning (1 pkg or 1/4 cup)
1 can (19 oz) kidney beans, drained, rinsed
1 cup Salsa
1 cup water
4 flour tortillas (6 inch), cut into 1-1/2-inch squares
1 cup Mexican style finely shredded four cheese
1/3 cup Sour Cream
1/3 cup chopped green onions (about 1 large)

Brown meat in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat; drain. Add seasoning mix, beans, salsa and water; stir. Bring to boil. Simmer on medium-low heat 5 min. Stir in tortillas; top with cheese. Cover; let stand 5 min. or until cheese is melted. Top with sour cream and onions.

Tool of the Month - Potato Ricer

Potato Ricer (from Williams-Sonoma)

When you love mashed potatoes as much as I do, a Potato Ricer is a must have. Potatoes come out wonderfully fluffy and smooth.

Tool of the Month - Crepe Pan

Crepe Set (from Williams-Sonoma)

This is the only tool (from my Tool of the Month posts) that I don't have. I REALLY want it, crepes are my favorite breakfast treat!

Cucumber Sandwiches

Thank you so much to Jenn for sharing this great recipe! Hannah loves these too, but without the cucumber and seasoning salt. I love them as is, and will probably eat them every day for the next month. Yes, they are that good.

Cucumber Sandwiches

white bread
English cucumbers
4 TBSP softened butter
8 oz. softened cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Lawry's seasoning salt

Combine butter and cream cheese to make a spread, set aside. Combine sour cream and mayonnaise, set aside. Peel desired amount of cucumbers and slice. Using a round cookie cutter or top of a glass, cut circles out of the center of the slices of bread. (Bread can be cut to any desired size, depending on how many servings you want or the size of the cucumbers.)
Spread each circle of bread with the cream cheese mixture. Place 1-2 cucumbers on bread. Place a dollop of sour cream/mayo mixture on top of each cucumber. Sprinkle a small amount of seasoning salt on top.

Tool of the Month - Artichoke Holders

Artichoke Holders

One of my favorite tools is these cool little Aritchoke Holders. Ernest, Hannah and I love eating steamed artichokes! Here's a cool link that gives step by step instructions on cooking artichokes.

Tool of the Month - Burger Press

Burger Press (from Williams Sonoma)

Of course you can just shape burgers by hand, but this is much more fun! With summer here, now is a great time to grill out!