Apple Cheddar Cranberry Turkey Meatballs

This recipe combine two of my favorite things - meatballs and Thanksgiving or at least flavors that are reminiscent of Thanksgiving. We are not big fans of ground turkey in this house as it is usually dry and not as flavorful as beef. However Whole Foods carries all dark meat ground turkey and it was great in this recipe. This is one of my husbands favorites although the toddler was not a fan of "raisins" in her meatballs. 2 year olds are tough critics.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey (I used dark meat)
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tsp dried or fresh minced onion
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 green apple, shredded
• 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup unsweetened dried cranberries

Glaze

• 3/4 cup apple juice
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• dash of crushed red pepper flakes
• cracked black pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons cold water
• 2 teaspoons corn starch

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl mix all the meatball ingredients until thoroughly combined. Shape into golf ball sized meatballs and place onto a greased cookie sheet. Cook for 25-30 minutes or until meatballs are browned and cooked through. Toss cooked meatballs in the glaze and serve. 

For the glaze: Mix together cornstarch and cold water until smooth, set aside. Combine remaining ingredients in small sauce pan over medium heat. When glaze starts to bubble whisk in cornstarch slurry and stir rapidly. When glaze is desired consistency remove from heat. Serve over meatballs. 

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

Is there any better flavor combination than peanut butter and chocolate? In this house we tend to think not. When I saw this recipe I knew that it would be a hit with my family and it did not disappoint. The cake is super moist and the chocolate/pb glaze gives it a little extra shot of flavor. 

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

(Slightly Adapted from About.com)

Ingredients:

• 2-1/4 cups flour
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup peanut butter (I prefer chunky)
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup milk
• 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Glaze/frosting

• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 12-inch Bundt pan.

In large bowl combine all ingredients except chocolate chips and beat on low speed until combined; then beat three minutes at medium speed. By hand, stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Spoon batter into pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 55-65 minutes until set, brown, and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then loosen edges and turn pan onto serving plate. Cool completely, then frost.

To make frosting - In a double boiler melt 1-1/2 cups chocolate chips with 1/3 cup peanut butter, stirring until smooth. Spoon over cake. 

Family Pictures: Fall 2012

It took almost 28 months but we finally had our family pictures taken by a professional photographer. I found Monie of Howson Wright Photography through a friend and she has been so great to work with. To say I am over the moon in love with the end result would be a severe understatment. Monie was able to capture who we are as a family even with our less than cooperative toddler. If you are in the RI/MA area I can not recommend her enough.

I'm so excited to order prints and a canvas or two to display in our house. Now I just need to narrow it down and decided which ones!

Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

My husband LOVES granola bars. If I buy a box of them they rarely last more than a day. I've been trying to cut out processed foods so I decided to make a homemade version of his favorite snack. These are super simple to make and are even better than the original.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Adapted from Rachael Ray

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup all natural peanut butter or almond butter (I like to use chunky)
• 2 cups quick oats
• 1 cup rice cereal such as Rice Krispies
• 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut

1. In a bowl combine the oats, rice cereal and shredded coconut. Set aside.

2. In a large sauce pan combine the butter, brown sugar, honey and peanut butter. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and then turn heat down to low and simmer until sugar dissolves (about 2 minutes.) Remove pan from heat.

3. Mix dry ingredients into butter mixture, stirring until everything is evenly coated.

4. Transfer the granola mixture to an ungreased 9x13 pan and press firmly into pan. Press the chocolate chips on top of granola.

5. Refrigerate for 20 minutes and then cut into bars. Store bars in a ziploc bag in the fridge.