Baked Cinnamon Apple Chips

An apple a day keeps your waist whittling away ...if you ask me.   But for some reason you can't replace the crunch of your cape cod salt and vinegar chips with the crunch of a jazz apple.  I get it.  And I'm here to help.

BAKED CINNAMON APPLE CHIPS

1. preheat oven to 250 degrees.

2. cut off the top and bottom of a red apple and discard.  Slice apple into thin pieces using a knife or a mandoline. 

3. Mix 2 tsp cinnamon with 1/2 tsp nutmeg.  Dip both sides of the apple slices into the spice mix and lay evenly on greased cookie tray or parchment paper.  Optional toppings: sugar, coconut oil, cranberries.

4.  Bake for 1 hour or when the apple slices have begun to curl up on the sides.  Use spatula to transfer chips to a cooling wrack.  Let cool for 20 minutes or until crispy.

The Monster Mash Menu - Festive Halloween food!

From spiked hot apple cider to fake fingers in the candy bowl - Halloween parties are an open canvas for creative hosts.  

I've got my second annual Ghoulish Gathering planned for this week, but while I review my favorites from last year, I thought I would share some of my best party food hits.


1.  Pumpkin  Dorito Cheese Ball:   cream cheese based dip of your choice, rolled into a ball then covered in crushed red doritos.  Top with the stem of a green pepper and serve with crackers.

2. Deviled Spider Eggs:  prepare deviled eggs per usual, make spider topping by cutting black pitted olives (I just purchased two cans) in half lengthwise for the body.  Use the other half to cut 6 legs!  Serve 'blood' dipping sauce (Tabasco) with a finger sticking out!

Watermelon Juice

Not my most impressive recipe.  But definitely one of my favorites.  This juice is so refreshing and perfect on a summer day.

Ingredients: 
2 cups watermelon chunks, refrigerated 
1/2 a Lemon OR lime, squeezed 
A heap of Fresh Mint

Instructions: 
Blend. And enjoy :)

If you're in an August heatwave and the idea of even using the blender seems too strenuous... freeze the watermelon chunks first.   If you have mango or strawberries or any other delicious fruit - you can always throw those in, but this really is delightful by itself.

Watermelon Feta and Mint Appetizer Bites

For being so quick, healthy, easy, delicious and inexpensive to make.. guests are always impressed with these light and refreshing bites.

Ingredients:

-1/2 large seedless watermelon cut into 1/2 by 1/2 inch cubes  

-1 block of feta, cut in 1/2 by 1/2 inch cubes

-fresh mint leaves (30)

-balsamic reduction

Directions: 

Using a toothpick pierce the watermelon and feta then put 1 mint lead (folded in half depending on size) on top. Drizzle with balsamic once all of the bites are arranged on the serving platter. 

If you don't have balsamic reduction you can heat 1 cup balsamic vinegar in a saucepan on high with 1/4 cup sugar (preferably brown) over high heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and continue to stir until about half of the miXture is reduced. Remove from heat and let cool completely before using.