Cranberry Walnut Turkey Wrap

This is a very good sweet and savory lunch dish.  The cranberry sauce is sweet and tart, the turkey, celery, and mayo mixture add the savory touch.  This is pretty low calorie and high-fiber too.  It's very simple and easy to make.  I used my Cranberry Sauce from a previous recipe, which is also easy to make.

Cranberry Walnut Turkey Wrap

What you'll need:
- 2 oz low-sodium seasoned deli turkey
- 2 tbsp Cranberry Sauce
- 1 tbsp low-fat mayo
- 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp chopped celery
- 2 tbsp chopped red onion
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/3 cup spinach
- 2 tbsp crushed walnuts
- 1 whole wheat wrap

Mix all ingredients together and combine in a wrap.

10 Ways with Apple Butter

This is not a recipe for apple butter, though I would like to try to make my own some time.  This is a post about the many different things you can flavor with apple butter.  Apple butter does not actually contain any butter and is actually 100% fat-free.  It is made by cooking apple puree and sugar on low and slow.  Many apple butter recipes are made in a crock pot because that is the perfect low and slow cooking gadget.  Here are some ways you can use apple butter to help make a healthy dish:

Peanut Butter Apple Butter Sandwich
Substitute half the peanut butter on your whole wheat toast in the morning and add 1 tbsp apple butter

Apple Pecan Oatmeal
Combine 1/2 cup plain quick cooking oatmeal, 1/2 cup nonfat milk, 1 1/2 tbsp apple butter, 2 tbsp chopped pecans.  Cook according to oatmeal directions.

Sweet and Savory Appetizer
Cut a whole grain French baguette into 1/2" slices.  Spread 1 tbsp apple butter over each slice.  Top with 1 tsp crumbled goat cheese.  Set oven to broil and melt cheese for 2 - 2 1/2 minutes.

Apple Walnut Parfait
Combine 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt with 1 tbsp apple butter.  Top with chopped walnuts and diced apple.

Caramel Apple on the Rocks
Combine 1 tbsp apple butter, 1/4 cup apple juice, 1 oz caramel vodka, 1 oz vodka, 2 oz water.  Shake with ice and serve.

Sweet Cheddar and Chicken Grilled Cheese
Spread 1 tbsp apple butter on one slice of whole grain bread.  Top with 1 slice extra sharp cheddar cheese and 2oz deli chicken meat.  Cook on a flat skillet or in a panini maker.

Apple Cider Cupcakes
Using your favorite white or vanilla cupcake recipe, substitute half the fat for an equal amount of apple butter, and use apple cider in place of the recommended liquid.

Chicken Apple Pecan
Instead of coating chicken in egg and breadcrumbs, try this healthier mix.  Coat chicken breast halves in apple butter, then dip in a mixture of finely crushed pecans, dried parsley, ground pepper, salt, and a pinch of nutmeg.  Place on a hot nonstick skillet and cook each side 2 minutes, until golden brown.  Move chicken to a baking dish and cook in a preheated oven at 350*F for 22 - 25 minutes.

Apple Butter Snack Dip
Apple butter can also be a fun dip.  You can use whole grain crackers, cinnamon graham crackers, apple slices, and banana and raspberry skewers to dip into the apple butter.

Sweet and Tangy Apple Salad Dressing
Combine 1 tbsp apple butter, 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup canola oil, 1/4 tsp ground celery seed, 1/4 tsp ground dried onion, 1/4 tsp ground dried mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Pecorino and Truffle Oil Mac and Cheese

Be warned: this is not a healthy recipe.  But man is it good!  I offered to cook a belated birthday dinner for my brother-in-law.  Knowing that mac and cheese is one of his favorite foods (or top favorite), I was trying to think of a different way to make it.  I remembered that Jen and Kevin served pecorino cheese with truffle oil on baguette slices after their trip to Italy.  Then I decided that pecorino cheese and truffle oil mac and cheese had to be tried!

Truffle oil is expensive, but you don't need much for the recipe.  This recipe is seriously delicious so you'll end up making it again and the oil will not go to waste.  Like I said, this recipe is not healthy.  It's made with a ton of cheese, some cream, and egg noodles.  It's good to keep in mind the half-plate method: half of your plate is non-starchy vegetables, 1/4 of the plate is a lean protein, and 1/4 of the plate is the mac and cheese.  This helps keep your plate balanced and it cuts back on calories.  I served this with baked chicken breast halves, and sautéed zucchini, though most of guessed admitted they were not adhering to the half-plate method after they got their second helping of mac and cheese.

Pecorino and Truffle Oil Mac and Cheese

What you'll need:
3 3/4 cups enriched egg noodles
1/3 cup finely chopped white onion
1 garlic clove
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp flour
1 cup infused milk (see recipe below)
1 cup half & half
1 tsp dijon mustard
1/4 tsp paprika
pinch cayenne
pinch nutmeg
1 tsp white ground pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp truffle oil

1 cup shredded Pecorino cheese

1 1/2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese

1/3 cup shredded parmesan

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

Infused milk:

1 cup milk (skim or 1%)

1/2 red onion

2 bay leaves

2 cloves garlic, peeled

5 peppercorns

3 dried cloves

What to do:

1.  Combine all ingredients for the infused milk in a medium saucepan.  Bring to a low simmer.  Simmer for 10  minutes, stirring occasionally.  Remove everything but the milk and let cool.

2.  Cook egg noodles 2 minutes less than package directions.  Drain, but do not rinse noodles.  Set aside.  Preheat oven to 350*F.

3.  Heat butter in a sauce pan.  Add onions and cook 5 minutes.  Add garlic and cook 2 more minutes.  

4.  Add flour and stir constantly.  Cook the flour 2 minutes.  Slowly add in infused milk stirring constantly to mix the flour and milk.  Add half and half and bring to a boil.  Lower heat to a simmer.

5.  Add mustard, paprika, nutmeg, pepper, and salt.  Simmer 3 to 4 minutes.  Add truffle oil, pecorino cheese, and cheddar cheese and stir.  Continue to simmer 2 more minutes.

6.  In a baking dish, combine noodles and cheese sauce.  Top with parmesan and breadcrumbs.  For some additional taste and for a nice appearance, top with a sprinkle of a pinch of cayenne, paprika, nutmeg, and parsley.  Bake for 20 minutes.