Apple Nachos {Baking with Kids}

It's Apple Season!  Yayyyyyy!

There are a thousand and one ways to prepare and enjoy apples this time of year. Apple pie, Apple Crisp, Apple Bread, Apple Muffins....

...and Apple Nachos.

HECK YES. I went there.

Last Fall, there were some pictures floating around the awesomeness that is Pinterest, one of something described as Apple Nachos. It was one of those photos that didn't link anywhere - just the picture. Which sometimes kind of annoys me. 

Because YAY for the idea of Apple Nachos!

But BOO for no recipe.

Then I thought, "Steph. Look at the picture. Could it really be that complicated?"

And I then I thought to myself, "Self? Nope."

So one chilly Autumn night when the kids were in bed and Hubby was out and about, I decided to treat myself to a sweet treat. We were out of Ice Cream. No cake mix. No brownies. But ah!  We had apples. 

And the rest is history.

Essentially, Apple Nachos are apple wedges sliced thin (think tortilla chips) topped with just about any kind of sweet condiment you can imagine. I like it because while it does appeal to my sweet tooth, it's easy to make it generally healthy. The Nachos I made today with Chica are really nothing more than a PB&N Sandwich (Peanut Butter and Nutella), swapping the bread for apples. 

It's practically health food, people.

Apple Nachos are also really easy to throw together, so kids can participate in the preparation (as well as give input on the toppings).  And since I ultimately decide how they are prepared, I can have them lean toward the healthy side, so I don't feel bad about serving them as dessert to the girls.

Here is our Apple Nacho event from today. We used apples that Chica picked with my in-laws last weekend from an awesome local orchard. Recipe follows!

First, slice the apples into wedges. This is a GROWN-UP task - no small hands please!

Then slice those yummy wedges into small-as-you-can-make-'em smaller wedges.

See how thin?

Then take these 2 beautiful substances and heat them in the microwave or stovetop until thin and runny.   

With a spoon, drizzle the heated peanut butter over the apple slices. Repeat with the Nutella.

If you are using nuts, chop them up and sprinkle over the apples. Chica was really excited to help with this part.

BAM. Apple Nachos.

Chica enjoyed them!  (Check out her Phillies shirt. My girl is heading with Hubby to her first Phillies game tonight. GO PHILS!)

Ok. I ::might:: have tried a bite or two. And I totally hated every second of it.  True story. All except the hating it part.

The only drawback? MESSY AFTERMATH!

Now here's the recipe:

• 1 medium-large apple {or} 2 small apples
• 1 TBS Peanut Butter
• 1 TBS Nutella
• (Optional) 1/4 cup of chopped nuts (I used sliced almonds, but pecans and walnuts are also tasty)

Topping Ideas (use 1 or 2 or all of them if you're throwing caution to the wind!):

• 1 TBS of caramel sauce
• 1/4 cup of chocolate chip morsels
• 1/4 cup of craisins or raisins
• 1/4 cup of crushed Oreo cookies
• 1/4 cup of mini Marshmellows
• 1/4 cup of shredded coconut

1) Slice apple into wedges
2) Slice each wedge into thin wedges (see pictures above)
3) Spread apple wedges out on a serving plate
4) Place peanut butter into a microwave safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds, until thin and runny.  Drizzle over apple wedges.  Repeat with Nutella. (You can also heat on the stovetop).
5) Top with nuts and any additional toppings you desire. 
6) EAT 'EM UP! 

~~~~~

Are you so hungry now? Get thee to the grocery store, orchard or Farmer's Market for apples and treat yourself to a yummy Autumn dessert tonight!

I'd love to hear about your Apple Nacho creations!  

Leave a comment telling me YOUR favorite toppings concoction and send me pictures (moderndaydonnareed@gmail.com)! I'd love to post them on the CSHM Facebook Page and inspire other budding nacho enthusiasts!

{Baking with Kids} Dirt

I've really enjoyed taking time to teach Chica her way around the kitchen.  It has been good for me to learn to let loose and know that it's okay if things get a bit messy (I can clean it later!). It has also been a good practice for Chica's ::Ahem:: listening skills. Being able to fend for oneself is a survival skill, and doggonit, I'm going to do my best to equip my kids to thrive in a kitchen setting.  


Also?  


People love people who can cook.


And also also? 


I love the rare one-on-one time I get with Chica while we cook and bake.


In our last Baking with Kids post, Chica and I made Pie Dough Cookies with some leftover dough from a blueberry pie I made.  Neither pie nor cookie lasted very long.  I was scanning my recipes for some good kid-friendly concoctions, when one dessert stuck out in particular.


DIRT.

{Baking with Kids} Pie Dough Cookies

In an effort of full disclosure: I'm what some might call a control freak. 


Not like crazy controlling or anything. But I'm not one of those moms who can send her kids outside after a rainstorm to play in the mud.  I envy those moms who are laid back and go-with-the-flow.  I think my life would be easier and full of less anxiety if I could just loosen up a little bit!


If you've been around this blog, you know I love cooking and baking. I'm not open my own restaurant caliber, and I won't be writing any cookbooks anytime soon. But the kitchen is my happy place. I love finding new recipes to try, and on the rare occasion, I can create some new recipes on my own.


One of the areas I struggle to relinquish control with my kids is in the kitchen.  Kids are messy, unpredictable and most definitely, at times, out of control! And Chica seems to grow 10 arms when we're in the kitchen. She is just shy of 4-years old, so listening is not yet in her Top 5 Strong Skills, and the temptation of digging her hands in a bowl of ingredients usually gets the best of her.


My mom was great about letting my sisters and I in the kitchen when we were little.  Perhaps we were better listeners or better behaved. But she let us watch, explore and try things on our own. I'd like to think that's why I love being in the kitchen to this day. I knew that if I wanted to help Chica have a positive experience cooking and baking, it started with her being my Kitchen Sidekick. 


Even if it meant getting a little messy.


I've spent some time thinking through simple, easy and fun activities to introduce her to cooking and baking. I thought it might be fun to share them with you, so you can try them too!  Our kitchen adventures haven't been without mess, and at times, can be stressful. But knowing she will find joy in the kitchen is worth the effort!


Today's {Baking With Kids} activity is one inspired by my Mom (love her!).  Mom used to bake pies a lot. Her pies almost always called for a double-crust recipe. And once the top layer was covering the pie, there was usually some leftover dough.  My mom wisely put it to use!  She let us create our own little cookies in a safe and controlled environment.  So fun - and an easy way to let your kids create culinary masterpieces!

• Leftover Pie Dough (I use the scraps from the Better Homes and Gardens double pie crust recipe)
• Cinnamon
• Sugar (refined or raw - your choice!)

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. If you are already baking a pie, you can work on the cookies and pop them in the oven with the pie during the last 12-15 minutes of baking.


2) Line a baking sheet with foil (for easy clean up - this is optional), and lightly grease with non-stick cooking spray.


3) Roll the leftover dough to a 1/4-1/8 inch thickness (if you child is on the younger end, roll for them. If they are older, let them try it out).

4) Let your child sprinkle the dough with sugar and cinnamon (if your child is younger, consider putting the sugar and cinnamon in a salt shaker, just to give them more control).

I may have jumped in here and spread the
cinnamon and sugar out with a knife....shhhh

5) Use cookie cutter to make shapes, or give your child a plastic child-safe knife (I use this children's cutlery set from Ikea, which I love!). As you can see, we made random geometric shapes because Chica really wanted to use the knife and cut them out herself!

I love pudgy little kid hands <3

6) Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet.

7) Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown. (As noted above, you can pop them in the oven with the pie you are baking for the remaining 10-15 minutes)

Enjoy!

~~~~~

I have a few more {Baking with Kids} activities to share, so check back!  

IF you have some great recipe ideas that are perfect to try with children, send them my way and I'll try them out!  moderndaydonnareed@gmail.com