Keep the Doctor Away: Cooking Challenge #1

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Trilt

Trilt

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Welcome to the first week of the cooking challenge!

The premise is simple:
Each week will have a different food posted, and the challenge is to prepare a dish highlighting (or at least utilizing) that food. You then take a picture, chow down, and then post it on the thread, with comments and (hopefully!) a recipe. Easy peasy! Each week will also have an "additional challenge" for the food that you can choose to acknowledge or ignore - just for fun.

Additionally, the food for the next week will be posted along with the current week, so anybody who doesn't have the ingredient on hand can put it on their shopping list.

Current Week's Food: Apples
Current Week Dates: Sunday, 5/20 through Saturday, 5/26
Additional Challenge: In honour of dsmoody's fitness thread, try to make it healthy!

Next Week's Food: Eggs
Next Week's Dates: Sunday, 5/27 through Saturday, 6/2

Need Inspiration? Tastespotting, Foodgawker, Nibbledish, or Photograzing may help you out!
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yay!! can't wait Trilt!
 
I was tempted to name it "Keep the pre-allos away" but I thought that might be a tad insensitive. :laugh:

I'm thinking of trying this with the avocados that are getting super-ripe in my fridge.
 
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Trilt said:
I was tempted to name it "Keep the pre-allos away" but I thought that might be a tad insensitive. :laugh:

I'm thinking of trying this with the avocados that are getting super-ripe in my fridge.
Click to expand...

yumm, i bet the apples would be a really nice treat with guac! very fresh sounding
 
Yea! Can't wait to get home and get cooking!

One question, can it be any type of dish? Desert, appetizer, main dish?
 
Trilt said:
I was tempted to name it "Keep the pre-allos away" but I thought that might be a tad insensitive. :laugh:

I'm thinking of trying this with the avocados that are getting super-ripe in my fridge.
Click to expand...

I might have to try that for my bf. Apparently my guac is pretty good, but I can't tell because I don't like any guac. :laugh:

I know a goooood apple recipe, but my grandma is making it next week. Haha. I might just post it just to show, but it wouldn't be made by me.
 
Ah this seems fun!! I'm in. I've gotten into something over here that I had never had in the states. They put apple sauce on pork sandwiches. It is delicious. So what I've been into lately is cooking pork in the crockpot then I cut up chunks of apples and put them in a pot with some shallots, cover it, and cook on low for awhile. And serve on a pork sandwich. It is awesome and easy.
And is it bad that I was like eggs. Mmmm an excuse to make french toast?
 
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FinleyMonkey said:
Ah this seems fun!! I'm in. I've gotten into something over here that I had never had in the states. They put apple sauce on pork sandwiches. It is delicious. So what I've been into lately is cooking pork in the crockpot then I cut up chunks of apples and put them in a pot with some shallots, cover it, and cook on low for awhile. And serve on a pork sandwich. It is awesome and easy.
And is it bad that I was like eggs. Mmmm an excuse to make french toast?
Click to expand...

my mouth is watering.

i love this thread!
 
Lissarae06 said:
I'm thinking of making this: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/pork-chops-with-golden-apple-sauce-recipe/index.html

It got good reviews and seems to be within my skill level. I'm going to keep searching to see if I can find anything better.
Click to expand...

Mmmm, did you see the review that suggested dried cherries instead of raisins? I'm not a huge raisin person so that change made it sound about 10x more delicious.

And is it bad that I was like eggs. Mmmm an excuse to make french toast?
Click to expand...

French toast...
homerdrool.gif
 
This is my kind of thread, lol. I'll definitely be going the dessert route, but I'm going to try a new recipe I've been meaning to make.
 
Rum is defiantly healthy!! I am going to try to use this thread to try and eat better... and hopefully lose weight 😳

Some of these recipes are looking sooo good!! I am still looking for that perfect one.
 
jmo1012 said:
oh my gosh! i was just piddling around on pintrest finding amazing recipes (found some deliciousness!) and then the doorbell rang. the neighbor brought by 8 apples! a sign? i think so!

now to choose...
http://testadoprovadoeaprovado.blogspot.com/2011/09/apple-pie-in-apple.html
http://domesticdilettante.com/2012/01/11/applepie/
http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011...ign=Feed:+blogspot/mRoaH+(Six+Sisters'+Stuff)
Click to expand...

I love the idea of apple pies inside the apples! So cute!
 
jmo1012 said:
oh my gosh! i was just piddling around on pintrest finding amazing recipes (found some deliciousness!) and then the doorbell rang. the neighbor brought by 8 apples! a sign? i think so!

now to choose...
http://testadoprovadoeaprovado.blogspot.com/2011/09/apple-pie-in-apple.html
http://domesticdilettante.com/2012/01/11/applepie/
http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011...ign=Feed:+blogspot/mRoaH+(Six+Sisters'+Stuff)
Click to expand...

This one is ADORABLE. I know if I tried to make it it wouldn't look anywhere near as pretty though.

One more day until we start! Just went out and bought my apples today. 🙂
 
Last edited:
Trilt said:
This one is ADORABLE. I know if I tried to make it it wouldn't look anywhere near as pretty though.
Click to expand...

Drool.....I'm going to have to try this the next time I go crazy craving apple pie. Use a nut crumble mix instead of pie crust and I don't even have to worry about the gluten. 😛

I won't get around to making them this week, but here's my favorite apple recipe:

Apple fruit and nut bars:

1.5 cups nuts-typically 2 types, 1 cup of one and 1/2 cup of the other (I like pecans and almonds)
12-14 dried dates(approximately 1/2 bag of dried dates)
1/2 cup dried apple slices
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 Tbsp cinnamon

Directions:
1. Chop nuts in a food processor to just above desired consistency (I don't like whole nut pieces, so I go ahead and chop them really fine).
2. Add dates and other dried fruit in a food processor and continue chopping until it starts to form clumps.
3. If fruit mix is not clumping, add water 1 Tbs at a time until clumping
4. Pile mixture on parchment paper, cover with a second piece of parchment paper, and roll flat with a rolling pin. If desired, shape edges into a square/rectangle as you are rolling.
5. Using a sharp knife, cut to the desired size.
6. Store in individual baggies for easy grab and go. Keep in the fridge for longer storage.

Typically yields 6-8 bars that are about the same size as a standard granola bar.
 
I LOVE the healthy diet thread!

As a freak-high-cholesterol-person (who doesnt have terrible eating habits), Im currently trying to incorporate more avocados and artichokes into my diet (they are pretty filling 🙂). They are supposed to be pretty good at lowering LDL while preserving HDL levels. I am also trying to consume more raw olive oil too, to help out.

... eggs sound good, but I try to do only on yolk w extra whites at a time. Eggs are better for individuals interested in wt loss suppose. I also cant manage to eat more than half an apple usually. The apples sold in stores just dont cut it compared to the ones sold during apple season at farmers markets 🙁.
 
I just had a steamed artichoke for the first time and it was delicious!! Anyone who hasn't tried it before, I highly recommend.

For my apple challenge I'm debating doing an apple pizza!! Yummm 🙂
 
I think I will make my own applesauce but instead of sweetening with sugar, I will sweeten with a substitute. I was considering something else, too, so maybe I'll do boh. Gotta go get apples first
 
My Recipe for apples: Spinach Salad with apples

1 bag of baby spinach
1-2 tomatoes chopped
1/2 of onion (your preference of kind) chopped
1 green pepper chopped
1 Grannysmith apple chopped
1/4 cup of pecans or almonds sliced or chopped

For homemade vinaigrette:
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 cup Vinegar (Apple Cider or Red Wine)
2 tbsp water
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp garlic powder


Toss and serve!
 
I think I might try a recipe for apple cheesecake bars that I found online. I could do something healthy, but I saw a picture of these and just started drooling.
 
Hahaha... my summer job revolves around apples: DNA extraction from 1400 cultivars, doing manual labour in the nursery bed, and phenotyping some mature cultivars. Since starting work, I eat an apple a day and love trying different varieties that I have not paid much attention to in the past.

Favorite so far is the Jonagold. Just bought some Honeycrisp for a change!

I plan on rocking this challenge.

First thing I plan on doing is asking my lab manager, who makes awesome deserts, what she recommends 🙂
 
That being said, I typically suck at cooking.
 
Just bought apples today. 🙂 I came across a recipe a few days ago that I think would be great if I added apples to it, so I'll probably make that. Just moved into a new place and taking summer classes, so I've been busy. 😛 Many of the recipes and pictures posted so far look really good!
 
I went to go do my guacamole yesterday... and I apparently had thrown out my cilantro. 🙁 Since guacamole just isn't right without cilantro, it has been postponed until I can swing by the store tomorrow. Super excited though. 😀
 
All this thread is doing right now is making me super sad that I just spend four days in upstate New York and didn't get to have an apple cider donut. 🙁 Miss them muchly.

Also, empire apples are definitely the best.
 
May I present to you....



Baked Stuffed Apple with Basil-Chicken Salad






Basic recipe:
Carve out the center of an apple, like you would with a pumpkin. I used Granny Smith, but any flat bottomed (baking) apple would work. Save the bits of apple flesh, toss the core. I took enough out of the apple so I could fit quite a bit in it, but left enough so that the apple would hold its shape, and I was careful not to puncture the skin anywhere other than the top.

Make a mix of 1 part lemon juice to 2 or 3 parts water, and fill the apple with it. Allow to sit while you proceed to the next step.

Make chicken salad- I just threw a bunch of ingredients in a bowl, to be honest. I'm not big on recipe following. Parboiled chicken breast shredded finely, lots of basil/some thyme from the garden, finely diced onion, some dijon mustard, a little bit of lemon juice, nonfat yogurt, and a tablespoon of light mayo. Added in the apple bits saved from the first step and mixed it all up. Pile it into the apple and place in a deep baking dish. I used a ring of crumpled tinfoil to keep the apple standing upright.
Bake ~350 for ~20 minutes or until the apple is tender. Decorate with a sprig of basil, and enjoy while still warm.
 
cowgirla said:
may i present to you....



Baked stuffed apple with basil-chicken salad






basic recipe:
Carve out the center of an apple, like you would with a pumpkin. I used granny smith, but any flat bottomed (baking) apple would work. Save the bits of apple flesh, toss the core. I took enough out of the apple so i could fit quite a bit in it, but left enough so that the apple would hold its shape, and i was careful not to puncture the skin anywhere other than the top.

Make a mix of 1 part lemon juice to 2 or 3 parts water, and fill the apple with it. Allow to sit while you proceed to the next step.

Make chicken salad- i just threw a bunch of ingredients in a bowl, to be honest. I'm not big on recipe following. Parboiled chicken breast shredded finely, lots of basil/some thyme from the garden, finely diced onion, some dijon mustard, a little bit of lemon juice, nonfat yogurt, and a tablespoon of light mayo. Added in the apple bits saved from the first step and mixed it all up. Pile it into the apple and place in a deep baking dish. I used a ring of crumpled tinfoil to keep the apple standing upright.
Bake ~350 for ~20 minutes or until the apple is tender. Decorate with a sprig of basil, and enjoy while still warm.
Click to expand...

yummy!
 
Homemade applesauce!

Ingredients:
3 fuji apples peeled and cubed
1/4 c. sugar substitute (being healthier and all I used erythritol)
1 pinch nutmeg
cinnamon to taste (probably used 5 tbsp)

Stew or microwave until soft and smash using either a fork or potato masher. Add water as needed (if dry). I go in 3 minute increments for the microwave so I don't burn it. I didn't mash as long as needed because I was hungry.

For best results, serve with sharp cheddar.

62C925B8-4F81-403F-B02B-EFFF262455F4.JPG
 
dyachei said:
Homemade applesauce!

Ingredients:
3 fuji apples peeled and cubed
1/4 c. sugar substitute (being healthier and all I used erythritol)
1 pinch nutmeg
cinnamon to taste (probably used 5 tbsp)

Stew or microwave until soft and smash using either a fork or potato masher. Add water as needed (if dry). I go in 3 minute increments for the microwave so I don't burn it. I didn't mash as long as needed because I was hungry.

For best results, serve with sharp cheddar.

62C925B8-4F81-403F-B02B-EFFF262455F4.JPG
Click to expand...

OMG...apple+cheddar = AMAZING. AWESOME RECIPE!!!!!
 
Made the guac I had posted!

It's super easy - 1 apple, 1 tomato, half jalapeno, half lime (my lime was super wimpy, though, so I squeezed all of it), a hunk of cilantro and salt and pepper. My roomie who moved out seems to have commandeered my pepper grinder, though, grr.

GVjKu.png

This mixture - cilantro, tomato, apple, lime juice - was actually really yummy on its own. I ate more than I should have... :laugh:

1E8tO.png
PJMYc.png

Definitely different tasting than normal because of the onion -> apple swap, so I ended up adding some onions to make it more normal, hehe. Very yummy once you get used to it, though! I'd make it again, maybe with half apple, half onion, chopped a bit more finely.

That applesauce looks AMAZING. I need some good cheese in my house...
 
Last edited:
Too bad the texture of applesauce makes me gag because that does look great.
 
The original recipe is here:
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Caramel-Apple-Muffins

I altered the recipe a little bit. The alterations are in bold:

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup skim milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
~1 cup chopped JonaGold apples
12 caramels, chopped (in half)
1/2 cup pecans (which you cannot really taste)

Topping
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons oats
(I did a different recipe based on the comments for the topping)

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.

In another bowl, whisk the egg, milk, butter and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in apple, caramels and nuts.

(To be honest, I threw in all of the dry and wet ingredients, mixed till moist then folded in the toppings. I am lazy.)

Fill paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle over batter.

Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the cake portion comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve warm. Yield: 14 muffins.

Nutritional Facts (original recipe)
1 muffin equals 245 calories, 8 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 33 mg cholesterol, 219 mg sodium, 41 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 4 g protein.

***The caramel oozed out of the top when I baked them. My labmates are eating them now and so far enjoying them. Also, they smell AMAZING.***

muffin.jpg


muffin2.jpg


I'll try to get a picture of the gooey center. I made these last night. The lighting in my house sucks so I cannot get decent pictures of anything once dusk hits.
 
Those look moist and delicious Trema!! 😍

I am making my apple recipe tomorrow! 😀
 
Finally made my meal!

Cinnamon-apple pork chops

View attachment ImageUploadedBySDN Mobile1337906706.835289.jpg

4 bonless pork loin chops
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 medium tart apples** (I really only used probably 2 big granny smith apples)
2 tablespoons chopped pecans

Over medium heat, cook pork chops in 1 tbsp butter for 4-5 min on each side.
Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt
When chops are done, add apples pecans/brown sugar mix and remaining 1 tbsp butter to the pan. Cook and stir until apples are tender (the brown sugar mix with get thicker as apples harden)

I think next time I would bake the pork chops or try and so half the glaze on them while they bake.

Overall YUM! Served with risotto and green beans.
 
Here's my take on the challenge. I hardly ever use recipes, so this will mostly be a guesstimate and you can adjust ingredient amounts as you see fit.

Spicy Ginger Apple Slaw

1 small/med head cabbage, shredded
2 Serrano peppers, in threads
3 small sweet/tart apples, cut into small sticks (I used pink ladies, but I'm sure Fuji or Gala or others will work. I wouldn't use a red delicious or Braeburn, though)

Mix all three of the above ingredients thoroughly in a bowl. Then coat with the following dressing.

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2-ish tablespoons light mayo
A knob of ginger, grated (maybe a teaspoon?)
Pinch of sugar
LOTS of black pepper
(just put these in a jar and shake until mixed)


Let it sit in the fridge overnight so all the flavors can meld together. You can adjust the vinegar/light mayo ratio as you see fit; we like a pretty vinegary slaw. I originally wanted to use habaneros, but couldn't find them. This was plenty spicy, though the apples tempered the serranos and the raw ginger.

I also used all local/organic produce. I don't think that really matters much in the scheme of things though!

Bonus: Super healthy. It made enough for two people to eat as a side dish with lunch for three days. View attachment ImageUploadedBySDN Mobile1337997114.425849.jpg
 
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