Apple Guacamole

What?  Yup, that's right, apple guacamole!

It actually sounds more complicated than it is.  I basically make a traditional guacamole and add diced apples.  We've been making mango guacamole in the summer time for years.  I was recently making guacamole to bring to a party and I didn't feel right adding mangos with snow on the ground, so I went for a fall fruit.  The result is something pretty special!  Give it a try for yourself, and let me know what you think!

Apple guacamole with sweet pepper scoops!

Serves: 6
Prep time: 15 min

Ingredients:
- 6 avocados
- 2 tomatoes
- 1 small red onion
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- 1 apple (honeycrisps work great)
- juice from 1 lime
- black pepper to taste
- 1 jalapeno pepper (optional)

Instructions:
Scoop the avocados from their skin and put them into a large bowl.  Dice the tomatoes, onion, cilantro, apple, and jalapeno, and add everything to the avocado in the bowl.  Juice the lime over everything, and add some black pepper to taste.  Using a large fork mash and mix everything together until it's mixed well and gets really creamy.

It's all in there, ready to mix!

We don't eat chips, so we usually serve it with thickly sliced peppers, cucumber slices, carrot sticks, or occasionally toasted whole wheat pita.  It's also great on top of chilli, or added to a home made veggie burger, or a lentil sloppy joe sandwich.  Seriously delicious!!

In the summer time try adding mango instead of the apple for another delicious combo!

Banana Apple Oatmeal

We love Oatmeal for breakfast, especially when it's loaded up with lots of fresh fruit.  We used to add fruit at the table, to each of our bowls individually, until I tried adding fruit while the oatmeal is cooking...  The result is AMAZING!!  The flavor and natural sweetness from the fruit is absorbed into the oats as they cook, making every bite absolutely delicious!

Banana Apple Oatmeal, topped with pecans and cinnamon

Serves: 6
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 - 40 min

Ingredients:
- 9 cups of water
- 6 bananas, sliced
- 3 apples, diced
- 2 tbsp. cinnamon
- 2 cups of steel cut oats (not rolled oats)

Instructions:
Put water, sliced bananas, diced apples, and cinnamon into a large pot and bring to a boil.  Let it boil for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to break down the fruit.  Once the bananas are swollen and very mushy add the oats and bring back to a boil.  Cover, and simmer for 30 minutes or so, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired consistency.

Add to bowls, top with nuts, cinnamon, or more fruit, and enjoy your delicious breakfast!

Experiment a little!
The recipe also works great with frozen blueberries, peaches, pineapple, or strawberries.  Add whatever fruit you like, and if it works well add a comment so I can give it a try too!

Bananas in

Apples in

The fruit is cooked.  It's time to add the oats!

It's ready!

Lentil Sloppy Joe

This one is a REAL crowd pleaser.  You could serve this to anyone and I would expect them to like it.  It's got that tangy flavor that I remember from so many years ago, and the texture works really well.  The kids like it, my parents like it, and my friends like it.  Give it a try for yourself and I think you will like it too!!

The recipe is slightly adopted from the Forks Over Knives web site. (link below)  I just cut back on some of the salty stuff, and removed the sugar.  http://www.forksoverknives.com/sloppy-lentil-joes/

Serves: 6

Prep Time: 15 min 

Cook Time: 35 min

Ingredients:

3 ⅓ low-sodium vegetable broth

1 onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 ½ cups red lentils

1 15-ounce can diced fire roasted tomatoes

1 tablespoons braggs liquid aminos

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon rice vinegar

Instructions:

Put 1⁄3 cup of the vegetable broth in a large pot, and add the onions and bell pepper.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften slightly. About 5 minutes.

Add the chili powder and mix in well. Add the remaining liquid, lentils, tomatoes, and the rest of the seasonings. Mix well, bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve over greens, on sprouted grain bread, or in a whole-wheat pita.  We usually top it with sliced avocado or a dollop of guacamole, whether it's in a sandwich or not.   

You must try this, it's so good!