German Apple Pancake

It's been awhile since I actually shared a German recipe but that will all change today.  We all need comfort food sometimes and lately I've needed comfort food.  What's wrong?  Oh, absolutely nothing!  I just have been missing my Gram lately and comfort fods remind me of her.  Today I'm sharing a recipe that I had when I lived in Germany and fell in love with it.  It reminded me of home, of Gram, of happy times. 



German Apple Pancake - makes 1 large serving or 2 servings for a snack
(based on a recipe from The Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook)

1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
1/4 cup milk
1 apple, I prefer red delicious
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 cup golden (or regular) raisins- steeped in hot water to plump
1/3 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 large egg
1/4 cup flour
pinch of salt


1. Preheat the oven to 425. Melt the butter in a 5-inch cast iron skillet over low heat

2. While the butter melts, pour the milk into a small bowl. Peel and slice the apple. In a small bowl, toss the apple slices with the sugars and cinnamon until well coated.

3. Pour half the melted butter into the milk and whisk well.

4. Add the apple slices and any loose sugar in the bowl to the hot butter in the skillet. Cook the apple slices over medium low to low heat, turning them a few times, until softened. The sugar and butter will get nicely browned and bubbly. Remove the skillet from the heat.

5. Add the egg to the milk mixture and whisk. Add  flour and salt and whisk until the batter is smooth. Pour the batter over the apples in the skillet, covering them.

6. Bake until the pancake puffs up and gets golden on top, about 10-15 minutes. Enjoy the pancake straight from the skillet or invert it onto a serving plate.

FODMAP diet and a New Found Love

A unsolicited random email has. Changed. My. Life! 

Yes, that's right.  After years of dealing with Crohn's and IBS, I received a random email a few weeks ago and that has completely changed my life....and my kitchen cupboards!  I am not going to go into detail to explain what the FODMAP "diet" is because a simple Google search will provide you with a wealth of information that I could never provide.

Alas, this new diet strategy has taken a toll on my recipes.  But, through this experience I have tried some some new recipes that equal the dumpling-laden dishes of my childhood.  So, with that said, let me share with you the amazing recipe I made last night for dinner.  It. Was. FABULOUS! 

 

Pot Sticker Salad with Orange-Carrot Dressing

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon garlic infused olive oil
• 12 frozen pot stickers
• 1 cup frozen baby green peas
• 1 cup water
• 4 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
• 1 cup chopped baby carrots
• 2 tablespoons ginger-sesame salad dressing (recipe below)
• salt to taste

Directions

1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the pot stickers into the hot oil flat-side-down. Cook until the bottom has turned golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in the water. Cover, and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook until the pot stickers have completely thawed and are hot on the inside, 8 to 10 minutes.
2. Run cold water over peas in a colander until thawed                   
3. Place the pot stickers, carrots, lettuce and peas in a large bowl.  Pour Dressing over ingredients. Season to taste with salt, and toss to mix. Serve immediately. 

Ginger-Carrot Salad Dressing      

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup garlic-infused olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 cup baby carrots

 Directions

1. Put all ingredients in blender and blend (If using a Blendtec, select Dressing)

Decadent Chocolate Pudding

In our effort to eat healthier (almost, but not quite, vegetarian) I scoured the recipes on Dr. Oz's website.  One day I happened upon this recipe, and being a lover of avocados, I knew that this would be great!  I wasn't disappointed.  If you are a lover of chocolate, you will LOVE this recipe.  I found it quite rich and would lessen the amount of chocolate next time. 

Decadent Chocolate "Fix"    
Ingredients
6 dates
1/2 avocado
4 tbsp high quality cocoa
1-2 tsp water (optional)

Directions
Place all ingredients in a food processor and purée until smooth. Add 1-2 tsp of water if mixture is not blending.

Recipe courtesy of Kate Geagan, MS, RD