Apple Cranberry Hand Pies

   Last week I was watching "The Chew," one of my new favorite day time talk shows that discusses recipes and cooking. Daphne Oz (Dr. Oz's daughter) is one of the hosts and she was talking about her Apple Cranberry Hand Pies, http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Thanksgiving-Apple-Cranberry-Hand-Pies-Daphne-Oz. I thought that these sounded so good and I remembered that I had a few apples (that I have been meaning to eat) still left in my kitchen. As she was going through the ingredients list, I realized that I had all of them and soon after the show I started getting to work!

   I like how the dough recipe was made up of whole wheat flour. You can always use pre-made dough, but this one was so simple that I suggest making it homemade. Just give yourself some time since it needs to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. You can make the dough ahead of time (yes!) and keep it in the refrigerator for up to two days. I didn't have the ingredients for the yogurt dipping sauce, so I skipped making that part and they were really good without it. Let me know if you decide to make the dip and how it turned out!

   I ate one of the hand pies pretty much right out of the oven and then another one later at room temperature. I preferred it at room temperature. I think you were able to taste the apples and cranberries more when they weren't so hot. These didn't last long in my house.....I think I let my husband have some :) 

   The perfect breakfast snack or after dinner treat. Enjoy!

Apple Cranberry Hand Pies

One good, messy Sandwich!

   I really enjoy a good sandwich and I think the messier the better! Some of my favorite restaurant sandwiches are the avocado BLT  from Brassiere V in Madison and the croque monsieur from Cafe Lulu in Milwaukee. They are both so good and I highly recommend them if you are ever in the mood for a good sandwich!

   Unfortunately, I have yet to make a REALLY good sandwich at home like they do in the restaurants. I have come to the realization that they are just better out and I am ok with that! I do have a recipe though for a good sandwich that I enjoyed. It's not comparable to Brassiere V's avocado BLT, but still a recipe worth your time :)

   A super simple recipe....you make a vinegar based sauce (yum) and use rotisserie chicken....very convenient. Perfect for football Sunday and very messy, so keep napkins handy. Enjoy!

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/pulled-chicken-sandwiches.

Pulled Chicken Sandwich

First meal in our new home!

  Justin and I love pasta and garlic bread, so it just made sense for that to be our first meal in our new home! I made pasta carbonara, http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-pasta-carbonara-170893, and garlic knots, http://picturetherecipe.com/index.php/recipes/garlic-parmesan-knots/. A great way to break in my new kitchen and celebrate our new home. The only thing missing was some wine (and maybe a vegetable, oops!) Enjoy!!

Pasta Carbonara

Garlic Knots

My Go-To Lunch: Shrimp Pasta

   I love eating shrimp AND it is fat free!! Justin doesn't like eating shrimp (weird, I know), so I eat it a lot for lunch. One of my go to lunch ideas is shrimp pasta. I don't even know if you can call this a recipe since you basically just throw a few of ingredients together and it is VERY easy.

  Some tips to think about while making this dish...  

• I like to buy frozen shrimp (but fresh is even better) so I can buy it in bulk. Defrost it by putting it in a strainer/colander and run cold water on it for a little while.
• Grey shrimp is raw and pink shrimp is cooked.
• You can make extra, put it in separate containers, and reheat for the week. 

   I actually bought cooked shrimp, so when making my lunch I really was just reheating the shrimp and not cooking it, so it doesn't take too long. Overcooked shrimp can taste chewy and tough.

   While defrosting the shrimp, I put olive oil in a pan with some crushed garlic until the garlic is a little more golden in color. Garlic can burn easily, so make sure you watch it and have the heat only on medium. I also add crushed red pepper flakes for a little kick. Then add the shrimp to heat it up for about a minute. That is it! I put the shrimp and oil over cooked pasta, add a little more olive oil, salt, and pepper. YUM! Now I want to make this for lunch today :) Enjoy!

Shrimp Pasta

Roasted Tomato Caprese Panzanella Salad...I could eat this every day!

   Tomorrow is Election day!! I am not looking forward to the long lines and thinking about making dinner afterwards doesn't seem that appealing either! With keeping this in mind, I looked back at some of my past recipes that I have made and came across this one...http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/06/roasted-tomato-caprese-panzanella/. One of the best recipes yet! Who doesn't love caprese salads? Tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella cheese, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. The combination of those ingredients are delightful!

   This roasted tomato caprese panzanella is a twist on the traditional caprese salad. Roasting the tomatoes makes them so juicy and delicious. Adding the toasted bread gives it a little crunch. And if you haven't tried balsamic glaze (a thicker version of balsamic vinegar) now is the time! Typically caprese salads are a summer dish, but I think tomatoes are still good this time of year. I also forgot to buy the basil, so I skipped that ingredient, and it was just as good.

   I could probably eat this salad every day! Enjoy!!

Roasted Tomato Caprese Panzanella Salad