applesauce

Homemade Apple Sauce

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Crock Pot Apple Sauce

A blast from the past!

I’ve been blogging for over 5 years now!  I can’t believe it.  This is a very old post . . . my old camera, my hesitation to share my love of cooking, and being so clueless on how to have a blog that inspires!  Enjoy the walk down memory lane.  (and make some apple sauce–so insanely simple, so good for you and no sugar.)

[Tweet “I just learned how to make insanely simple, sugar free, super yummy apple sauce! “]

 

 

 
organic gala apples
One of my ideas for 1012 is to share one crock pot recipe a week.  I found a great deal on organic apples and thought that I would buy 15 pounds.  My first batch of applesauce is 5 lbs of apples cut into chunks with just enough water to cover the bottom of the crock pot.
 
 
 
 
 

All of those apples cooked down to this amount.  I added cinnamon once they were finished cooking.  During the cooking process I stirred the apples and they broke into chunky pieces and I sort of like that.  The kids love it.

I plan to freeze the rest of this recipe and the other 10 pounds of apples bound for sauce.

Thank you God for Aunt Clara Broda who made applesauce for me as a kid.  It amazes me how you intertwine people, ideas, and outcomes.

Today I’m linking up with Countdown 2012.

Simple Vegan Dinner Day 10/40

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Meatless Meals for Lent

When I asked my kids what they thought they might do for Lent . . . . I never would have guessed what I heard next!

We want to give up meat!

Of course they mentioned this the Sunday before Ash Wednesday AFTER I had already went to the grocery store!  I ended up freezing down some of the meat that I had bought and the rest . . . they would just eat!  I have been posting the 40 days of meatless meals on instagram with #meatless and Day x/40 in the description.  

Saturday Night DinnerVegan Dinner

On Saturday nights I go to 5 o’clock Mass–leave at 4:30 and get home at 6:15 or so (length depends on the priest and the weather!)  I prep most of dinner before I leave the house, set the table before I leave, have the ice water in the pitcher.  You get the idea.  

This dinner is 100% vegan!  The kids gave up meat but not eggs or milk–being vegetarian for 40 days is a huge thing for one of my kids in particular!  Kudos to them for trying.

 

[Tweet “#veganRenee has created an amazing Vegan Meal! Simple, filling, and the kids love it!”]

Be Blessed as you eat and live with L.O.V.E.!

oxoxRenee

 

how to roast carrots

How to Roast Carrots

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How to Roast Carrotshow to roast carrots

I’m a huge fan of roasted veggies!  Especially carrots.  My CSA delivers carrots throughout the year!  I never really considered carrots a “winter” vegetable but rather a late summer veggie.  

Why?

  1. It’s fast.
  2. I can’t really mess it up.
  3. Roasted veggies can be used in loads of different ways.
  4. A deeper flavor.
  5. After roasting I have 5 days to use them!
  6. A great make ahead meal

(If you are just dying of curiosity about how to keep carrots for months without them going bad . . . leave a note in the comments and I’ll find that article for you and reply back in the comments–that way everyone can know!)

How to Roast?roasted organic carrots

I have an awesome roasting pan from Williams Sonoma–the bottom prevents the veggies from sticking 

AND

it has raised sides so the veggies don’t “jump off” when I’m putting the pan in and out of the oven.

  • wash the carrots
  • if carrots aren’t organic you should peel them–I can’t remember where I read this–but you can Google it.
  • cut if you desire.  I leave my carrots whole.
  • I add a touch of olive oil or I toss the carrots in water (sometimes if time is tight–I wrap them in foil, roast for the time and shut off the oven and leave the carrots in the oven, wrapped in foil.)
  • roast for 20 minutes at 450 degrees.  Of course check them to make sure they are cooked the way you want.

What do I do with my roasted carrots?

  • mash them.
  • add them to salads.
  • add to soup.
  • slice length wise and put them on a yummy sandwich.
  • add to pasta with spinach and roasted pine nuts.
  • add to caramelized onions and rice
  • reheat with a bit of honey and onions

[Tweet “#veganRenee just made roasting carrots seem WAY TO EASY, I gotta try this! “]

Roasted carrots are a INSANELY simple way to eat with L.O.V.E.

When we eat with L.O.V.E. we live love.