Homemade Applesauce

perfect snack during the apple-rich fall

1 lb. apples (diced small for easy mashing)
1.5 Tb. sugar
a dash of cinnamon
1/4 cup water

Stir ingredients together and microwave, covered, for 8 minutes (if apples are mushy) or 10 minutes (if apples are firm). Remove from microwave and mash.

Easy Peasy Lasagna

Need something quick, but tired of spaghetti? Try this recipe out.

6 lasagna noodles

2.5 - 3 cups marinara sauce (~24 oz. jar)

1 16 oz. can of diced tomatoes (optional)

2 cups grated mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

2 - 3 cups fresh spinach (or 1 package frozen spinach)

1 15 oz. container of ricotta cheese

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. fresh ground pepper

1 tsp. olive oil

1. Boil lasagna noodles according to directions.

2. Warm fresh (or frozen) spinach in a frying pan with a teaspoon of olive oil until wilted (or warmed throughout). Mix spinach with marinara sauce (and diced tomatoes if using them).

3. Mix ricotta, parmesan, 1.5 cups mozarella, and salt and pepper together.

4. In an 8x8 baking dish, begin to layer. Place a heaping spoonful of sauce on the bottom, then layer with noodles, half of the cheese mixture, and ~1/2 cup sauce. Layer again: noodles, the rest of the cheese mixture, ~1/2 cup sauce. Last layer will be noodles, rest of sauce, and .5 cups mozzarella cheese.

5. Put in oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. You could also put this in the toaster oven at the same temp and time for excellent results.

Simplest, Quickest Doughnuts Ever

I am certainly not the first one to think of this - we had these for breakfast on our YW High Adventure and they were such a big hit. To be honest, I was more than just pleasantly surprised. They are unexpectedly delicious and so incredibly easy! I've declared them a conference weekend tradition for our family.
Makes 8 doughnuts.

1 cylinder large buttermilk biscuits (store brand works just as well as Pillsbury)
1 1/2 cups canola oil, for frying
glazes (see below)

1. Prepare all glazes first.
2. Open biscuits and punch out the hole in the middle of each biscuit (they usually come pre-cut).
3. Heat oil in a deep skillet or shallow sauce pan to medium. Fry doughnuts and holes in oil until golden brown, flipping over with a fork when first side is done. Remove from oil with tongs and place on a cookie sheet.
4. Spoon glaze onto doughnuts (or shake in bags of sugar) while they are still hot. Serve soon and enjoy! Keep leftovers out - containers or bags make them a bit too chewy. Eat the same day (day-old doughnuts really emphasize the old).

Glaze suggestions:
Traditional (vanilla)
Maple
Chocolate/Nutella
Powdered sugar
Cinnamon & sugar

Stir 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla, and 1 milk together in a small bowl. Replace vanilla with maple for maple glaze. Add 2 Tbsp cocoa powder for chocolate (or just use Nutella if you have some on hand). Shake doughnuts in a bag with 1/2 cup powdered sugar for powdered or 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon for cinnamon & sugar. Add sprinkles if you must.

Homemade fish sticks

so much better and healthier than the frozen stuff!

2 tilapia filets

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1/2 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

~ 1/4 cup olive oil

tartar sauce (see recipe below)

1. Cut filets into 1.5 inch sticks.

2. Mix bread crumbs, paprika, salt and pepper together.

3. Put olive oil in a bowl. Dip fish into olive oil and then into bread crumb mixture.

4. Bake in oven (or toaster oven) at 400 degrees for about 10-12 minutes.

Tartar Sauce

1/2 cup mayo
1 Tb sweet (or dill) relish OR chopped up pickles
1 Tb minced onion
2 Tb lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

Mix together and enjoy. Remember to refridgerate.