Homemade Apple Sauce

I had two bags of dying apples (Granny Smiths and Fujis) in my fridge. Perfect medium for a first attempt at homemade applesauce. Did some hunting on the Internet and found an easy (one step!) recipe on Allrecipes.com. After an hour of peeling and slicing and dicing, the apples were ready to be boiled in sugar, water, and dash of cinnamon.

The first batch came out great, tangy with the rich undertones of autumn. However, as I brainstormed on how to add a "kick" to the basic applesauce recipe, Ben suggested... whiskey?! He was quite convincing on the attributes of whiskey- rounds out the taste, fuller and deeper flavor. So the next batch included a shot of Johnnie Walker Green Label. After cooking off the alcohol (you'll know when...), the result is a blend between perks of adulthood and a childhood favorite. 

Applesauce 

--modified from Allrecipes.com--

3 1/2 cups chopped apples

3/4 cup water

1/4 cup white sugar

Dash of cinnamon

Shot of whiskey

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan, combine apples, water, sugar, cinnamon, and whiskey. Cover and cook over medium heat for 20-30 minutes until apples are soft and whiskey has evaporated. Allow to cool, then mash with fork or potato masher.

TGIF... and Homemade Granola Bars

Today was one of those days... Alarm didn't go off (phone ran out of batteries in the middle of the night) and missed my first class. Was deceived by the brilliant blue skies and sunshine, and was hit by frigid cold as I walked out of the house. Then as I got on the bus, I realized I left my bus pass at home in the other jacket pocket. And of course, I skipped breakfast and felt light-headed all morning in class.

Buuut, all in all, no damage done! Got class notes from awesome friend. Needed to brave the cold for only short periods of time. My winning smile and great excuse ("uh... I left my bus pass at home today... can I still please get on the bus???") got me TWO free bus rides (to school and back!).

Friday afternoons are awesome! It's been my tradition since high school... after school on Fridays are reserved for relaxing, more relaxing, and fun! No homework, no studying, no stress allowed! Usually I squander the time with napping, catching up on Grey's Anatomy, baking, cleaning (I'm weird I know... I choose to clean in my free time!).

Really flexible and easy granola bar recipe below! Basically, requires 3 cups of oats and 3 1/2 cups of anything you would like! Suggestions for the "3 1/2 cups of anything" include: dried fruit (i.e. cranberries, raisins), nuts (i.e. sliced almonds), chocolate chips, trail mix, granola, coconut, etc. Possibilities endless! Personalize with your favorite ingredients.

Made-From-Scratch Granola Bars (Lyd's Version)

3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup granola
1/2 cup coconut flakes
2 tbsp. butter, melted
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray. 
2. Mix oats, almonds, chocolate chips, granola, and coconut flakes until thoroughly mixed. Stir in melted butter and condensed milk in large bowl. (Tip #1: heat can of condensed milk in warm water before opening, so easily to mix). 
3. Press and flatten mixture into prepared pan. (Tip #2: Use waxed paper to press down on mixture to avoid sticky hands!) 
4. Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes, until edges are lightly browned. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars. Cool completely. 

Movies with the 'Rents and Sugar Coated Pecans

Saw Tangled with Yannie (ten going on eleven years old!). Loved it. LOVED it. I totally want to see it again! My parents saw Tron instead (didn't like the fluffy Disney animated films).

So far, pretty relaxing winter break. Doing some reading: finished Les Mis for the second time in a day. I start with the intent of savoring Hugo's work, instead I get absorbed into the plot and zoom through. Didn't quite read morning till night, but close. Currently reading, and about to finish, The Memory Keeper's Daughter. It's a good read thus far, I enjoy it.

Finally tried this Sugar Coated Pecan recipe while Angela was at my house this weekend! I can't believe I waited this long. It's ridiculously easy and produces a delicious snack (while reading, of course)! Plus, it makes the whole house warm and smell like cinnamon. I made 2 batches. First time, I followed the recipe with previous bakers' modifications. My parents verdict: delicious, but too sweet. Second time, I added my pecans, and kept the sugar mixture the same. Here is it!

Sugar Coated Pecans (with my modifications)

3 egg whites
2 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp water
2 lbs whole pecans
1 1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. Beat egg whites with vanilla and water until foamy. Add pecans and thoroughly coat.
2. Combine sugar, salt, and cinnamon in separate bowl. Then add the sugar mixture in parts to pecans. Thoroughly coat pecans with each addition of sugar.
3. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Cover 2 baking sheets with aluminum foil and grease foil.
4. Spread pecan pieces evenly on baking sheets. Bake for 1 hour, stirring nuts every 15 minutes.

I got lazy the second time and stirred the nuts only twice before taking them out of the oven. Turned out fine. The foil is a must, saves you from having to scrub the dried sugar crust off your baking pans! This makes quite a bit of pecans... but they keep well in airtight containers, plus they make great gifts! Costco sells 2 lb. bags of pecans for about 10 bucks... it's totally worth it!