Apple (Peach) Crisp

Apple (Peach) Crisp, page 256

Our family hopes you had a fun Halloween and enjoyed some treats and maybe even a few tricks. My boys woke to a hallway of fake spider webs and glow in the dark bugs to dodge on the floor. They made their way under the webs to the table for pancakes and vanilla steamers turned orange and then a trip to the dentist. Clean teeth for a sweet celebration. Yes. I am that mom.

Autumn is in full swing and the bins of apples are overflowing at the grocery & farmer's markets. Pick up a few extra and make this dish for a healthy, sweet treat this weekend. As expected, yes, it's delicious!

I made this GF. I typically don't use an all-purpose GF flour or bread mix as the recipe suggests. Instead, I mix my own, using flours I buy in bulk. Below you will see the mixture of flours I used. 

(clockwise top left) Mixing up the dry ingredients, grated butter added, smashing in the butter by hand, dry ingredients and butter mix

oat-flour-sugar-spices-butter mix and my very favorite apples ~ Honeycrisp. Ready to mix, then bake and eat. Yum!

Kitchen Action
Lacking in Pantry: Peaches, but I was making apple, so it worked out just perfectly.
Additions, Subtractions or Method Changes: GF sub for 1/2 flour: 1/4 C rice flour, 1/4 C tapioca flour, 3 T almond meal. I reduced the butter from 1/2 C to 1/4 C (Remember I'm a momma not a pro, gotta make those cuts where I can, but never sacrificing taste or using margarine, always, always the real thing.)
What I'll try next time: Walnuts, I'll add walnuts and maybe even a mix of different apples, granny smith and honey crisp and gala.
How it Scored:
Jonathan: 4
Elliott: 3.5
'becca: 4.5
Chas: 2.5

Fruit and Ginger Cream

Fruit and Ginger Cream, page 254

Heavy whipping cream and my family are friends, great friends. For me it has been a growth process, but for my boys it has always been preferred. My mom makes a killer french silk pie. It's to die for, delicious! When I was young I'll never forget the first time she made it with fresh whipped cream. Having not ever had it and a lover Cool Whip by the spoon, I was unpleasantly surprised by its lack of sweetness.

I'm happy to report, my taste-buds have grown up and the thought of Cool Whip makes me cringe. There is nothing like fresh whipped cream on top of: scones, pancakes, fruit, warm pound cake, french silk pie, coffee, on a spatula as you make sure to empty the bowl completely - you get the picture. I am also happy to share, my boys have known fresh whipped cream since they were old enough to eat scones. The love fresh whipped cream, but also enjoy squirts of whip cream from a canister, especially when we play for distance. (please see note at end)

As I flipped through The Feed Zone for the first time, this recipe caught my eye. Surprised? Last night for dessert I served bowls full of berries, topped with cream. I made enough to have extra, because I had a scone delivery to make to a friend. Now I can deliver scones AND fresh whipped cream.

I will make it again, playing with the additions. I really liked the addition of ginger, but not 100% a fan of the liqueur I chose.


Kitchen Action
Lacking in Pantry: St. Germain elderflower liqueur
Additions, Subtractions or Method Changes: Grand Mariner for St. Germain 
What I'll try next time: To buy St. Germain for a tablespoon or not? That is the question. I'm not sure I will, but may try Chambord or another liqueur or just use honey as the recipe note suggests.
How it Scored:
Elliott: 1
Chas: 1
Jonathan: 4
'becca: 3

Note: If you are a momma or daddy and especially if you are an uncle or auntie you must play this game with the kiddos in your life: Whip Cream for Distance.
Object: No messes and much laughter
How to play: Kiddo lays down on the ground on his or her back with mouth wide open. Adult stands directly above kiddos head with canister of whip cream. Starting with arm fully extended below, squirt a bit into kiddo's mouth. Gradually moving up higher and higher until you miss. If you are brave you can switch places, allowing the youngster the opportunity to make it in your mouth.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Flourless Chocolate Cake, page 267

Today @SkratchLabs tweeted this: What is the number one reason you exercise?

I don't have a number one reason, I have many reasons. I exercise because I want to maintain a healthy lifestyle and example for my family. I exercise because I like to eat, especially things like cream cheese & strawberry stuffed crepes. I exercise because my clothing budget doesn't allow for me to buy jeans when they become a little snug (photo credit -- that is certainly not me). I exercise because if I didn't, I'd never have the thrill of crossing a finish line. What about you, why do you exercise?

And one Friday I exercised because this is what I was making in the kitchen. This is a very rich dessert and I found that it was best after it had been chilled. I baked it in large muffin tins, removed the cakes to cool and stored them in a 9 x 11 dish until I served them.

I wish I had a picture of the dusted and drizzled cakes, because they turned out pretty. I had my doubts, as they were not pretty upon removal from the oven. The middle sunk and the sides cracked, but when turned over, sprinkled with powdered sugar and drizzled with caramel, they were presentable. It was not overly sweet, but rich, very rich.

Have you made this? Did you include the liquor? What kind and how did you top it?

Kitchen Action
Lacking in Pantry:
I had everything needed.
Additions, Subtractions or Method Changes:
I didn't use a double boiler, but carefully watched it on the stove.
What I'll try next time:
Grand Marnier,  a little squeeze of orange and a bit of zest and another time Chambord topped with raspberries. Oh, what about a coffee flavored liquor and some chocolate covered espresso beans on top?
How it Scored:
Absolutely no numbers needed, you just need to know that 1 of the 4 people sitting around the table licked their plate clean and the kids were fans too. That's a 5, if you ask me.

Leftover Rice Pudding

Leftover Rice Pudding, page 259

Confession 1: I make extra rice, so I can make this pudding.

Confession 2: I eat it as a snack. I eat it for breakfast. I eat it for dessert. I'd eat it on a boat and in a moat, with a mouse and in a house...you get the picture.

This is so yummy and super easy. Next time you make rice, make extra just so you can have this for dessert and for breakfast and for a snack.

Happy Friday Feed Zone Eaters! What does this weekend have in store for you? It's soccer and more soccer, hill repeats and long bike rides, but first we will kick it off brainstorming ways to help make our kids first year with Triple Threat Racing the best ever. Off to a parent board meeting...

Kitchen Action
Lacking in Pantry:
The ingredients for this recipe are items I most always have on hand.
Additions, Subtractions or Method Changes:
I used light vanilla soy milk and extra vanilla. I added in cinnamon, freshly ground nutmeg and when I served it I added a little extra cinnamon and brown sugar for the boys and honey for me.
What I'll try next time:
I'll top it with nuts and fruit. And the time after that, coconut and maybe mango. And the time after that...What's your favorite topping?

How it Scored:
Jonathan: 3.5
Elliott: 3
Chas: 2.5
'becca: 5


Do you like the rice pudding's ears? We love our food face plates.

Orange Almond Macaroons (5++)

Orange Almond Macaroons, page 101

Ohmigoodness. OhMiGoodNess! OHMIGOODNESS! This is love at first bite. I know, I know, not everyone is a coconut lover, but this pastry may convert you. It is absolutely delicious. I promise.

If you already have a copy of The Feed Zone, you know prior to each recipe there are a few words written about the recipe. With the introduction this one has I am fully convinced I am riding my bike on the wrong continent.

"Riders in the European peloton are fond of putting small pastries and sweets

 in their musette bags for a hit of sugar during the race." The Feed Zone, p 101

Are you with me? Wanna plan a trip to Europe and ride bikes? I'll bake the pastries. I just know I'd ride faster. These also pair quite well with strong, black coffee when you are driving your kiddo to 5 am swim practice. This I know.

Kitchen Action

Lacking in Pantry:

Not. A. Thing.

Additions, Subtractions or Method Changes:

I used more honey, not applesauce. I don't have a large food processor, so I mixed the first almonds the other ingredients, leaving out the coconut to form a paste. I then added the pasted to the coconut and then added that to the egg whites. It worked well. 

What I'll try next time:

I'll make it exactly the same way and may do so tomorrow. I have been thinking of drizzling with dark chocolate...

How it Scored:

'becca: 5++

My friend Amy: 5 (She agrees with the coffee pairing) 

People from our small group: 4's & 5's

Jonathan: 3 (but he's not a coconut fan)

Chocolate Bread Pudding

Chocolate Bread Pudding, page 260

I had 2 overly ripe bananas in a basket on the counter and planned to bake banana bread for the boys to have as an after school snack. Instead I had this warm and waiting for them when they walked in the door. It looked  and smelled delicious and I am sure it was. How could you go wrong with bread, chocolate and bananas?

Both boys were a little hesitant when I spooned it into bowls, so I added a scoop of ice cream, but that still didn't do the trick. They both questioned the bread part of the pudding. They were not fans.

I think Jonathan would have enjoyed it. I save some for him to try when he returns from a week away. It is not overly sweet, but just enough to satisfy. All speculation, as it's a FG (FullaGluten) recipe, which is a no go for me.

Kitchen Action:
Lacking in Pantry:
I had everything to make this dessert in my pantry, freezer and fridge.
Additions & Subtractions or method changes:
I used a loaf of Italian bread.
I warmed the almond milk a bit so it didn't make the chocolate stiff when added together.
What I'll try next time:
I will make it without the bananas. Both boys said the flavor of banana was overpowering and they wished it has just been chocolate. I will wait a few weeks and try it again, sans ba-naa-naa.

We decided to share part of it with our friends next door. Chas, Elliott and DandyDog walked it over, returning with Popsicle in hand. A fair trade? I believe they thought so.

How it scored:
Chas: 1
Elliott: 1

I am extra thankful for Saturdays, as it is my training day off. I only have 3 more weeks until I head south for my first 70.3. My race plan is almost finished and today I will write 7 paragraphs, as if the race was over. I feel physically prepared, but mentally I need some more training. The mind is powerful and I need it on my side:
                       Dear Mind,
                               Let's be friends. Let's work together Sound good?
                                                                                              Love,
                                                                                                   'becca
Are you training for a race? How do you prepare mentally? I would really love to hear your techniques & tips, so please share. Have a great weekend. I'm headed to sit on the side of the track, sip coffee and watch my kids train.