Chocolate Apple Bread

GATHER:
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp each: salt, baking powder, baking soda, & cinnamon
1/cup butter, room temp.
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp butter milk
1 cup chopped apples
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

topping:
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts


COOK:
In a medium bowl mix flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon.

In a separate bowl cream together butter & sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Gradually stir in flour mixture. Mix, by hand, just until combined. Do not over mix. Stir in chocolate, apples and walnuts.

Pour into greased bread loaf. (Batter will be thick.) Sprinkle with topping.

Bake @ 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.


SERVE:
Let cool then slice and serve.

Baked Potato Soup

Cooler weather is upon us and that means time for slow cooker/dutch oven cooking. This is one I use with my dutch oven. I stumbled upon it and have tweaked it to make it all mine. No doubt there are ways to make this healthier... and probably easier... but it is so yummy as is!

GATHER:
6 strips of bacon, diced
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp flour
salt & pepper, to taste
1/2 tsp dried basil
6 cups chicken (or veggie) broth
4 large potatoes, BAKED then peeled and cubed
2 cups half & half
1 tsp hot pepper sauce (I use Sriracha but Tabasco would work as well.)

COOK:
In a large pot, or dutch oven, cook bacon bits until crisp. Set bacon aside. Drain liquid, reserving 1 tbsp of drippings. Saute onion and garlic in drippings until tender. Stir in flour, salt, pepper & basil. Mix well. (It will be lumpy).

Gradually add in the broth, stirring continuously. Bring to a boil and stir for about 2 minutes. Reduce heat and add in potatoes and cream- but do not boil. Add a drop of hot sauce, then adjust seasonings as needed. Let simmer until heated through or until read to serve.

SERVE:
Garnish with some shredded cheese and bacon bits.

Apple Crisp

Just got this recipe from my friend, Debbie. I've made it twice already; it is scrumptious and super easy!!

GATHER:
6 apples, peeled & sliced
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup water

For topping:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup oats
3/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
6 tbs melted butter

COOK:
Toss apples with white sugar and cinnamon. Place in 8x8 baking dish. (I use 9x13 and just use more apples). Pour water over apples.

Mix together dry ingredients for the crisp topping. Add melted butter and stir until coarse. Crumble over apples.

Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until bubbly.

SERVE:
With a dollop of vanilla ice cream, of course! :)