Campfire Bars

Because the girls are in an inclusion class AND have a variety of aides and therapists our Christmas list for school can get quite lengthy. So, we try to be creative and think of a nice homemade gift that saves us money but also shows our teachers how much we love and appreciate them. This year we decided to try one of those lovely mixes that comes in a jar where only a few ingredients are needed by the recipient to enjoy the treat. We looked and looked and settled on Campfire Bars.

Campfire Bars Mix:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup graham cracker pieces broken to 1 inch pieces
• 1 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips (any size)
• 1/2 cup granola or oatmeal
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• Optional: 1/2 cup sliced almonds

1. In a clean one quart jar layer the above ingredients (in order). You will need to press lightly to fit everything into a quart jar. 
2. Seal the jar with either a canning rim and lid or a plastic cap. 
3. Add decorative touches (we used a store bought cover and label) and prepare the cooking instructions on a separate card (or the label). 
4. Cooking Label: Preheat the over to 350 degrees. In a large bowl combine the contents of the jar with 6 tablespoons unsalted butter which has been melted. Stir thoroughly. Press into a cooking spray prepared 9 inch square pan.  Bake 12-15 minutes and cool before serving. 

**Note that by using vegan dark chocolate chips (we loved trader joes) and Earth's Balance Soy Butter this becomes a vegan recipe!

Chocolate Avocado Mousse

I might have never tried this recipe. That is until my Mom handed me a very ripe avocado and said "I really don't want this to go to waste". Was that a challenge? Probably not but I took it as one. I thought about guacamole but that didn't hit the spot. Avocado burgers? Not on meatless Monday. :D

Then it came to me. I had seen a segment on (I believe) Rachel Ray on making chocolate mousse from avocado's. I scoured the internet but couldn't find that particular recipe. So I took a little from one recipe and a little more from another and dessert was a go.

Avocado Chocolate Mousse



by Kristen Fescoe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: NONE!




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Ingredients (serves 4)

2-3 Ripe Avocado's
1 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup honey or agave nectar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 TB vanilla soy milk

Optional:


Fruit for topping
Grated dark chocolate




Instructions

1. Half the avocado and remove the pit. Scoop out the avocado and place into blender or food processor

2. Add the cocoa powder, honey, vanilla and milk

3. Begin on low and move to high. Blend until smooth and creamy. You can add more milk to thin it down.

4. Check the flavor and add more honey or vanilla according to your taste.

5. Place the mousse into a plastic bag and cut the tip of the bag. Pipe the mousse into a bowl.

6. If desired arrange fruit and grated chocolate.

7. Enjoy!


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Would you believe this is vegan???

I have found a few regular food items that Abby has been delighted by. They are brilliant moments in our household. We can almost celebrate when we find out that something bought off a store shelf (and tastes delicious) is "Abby-Friendly". Here are a few of our favorite finds:

- OREOS!!! The plain chocolate and the vanilla.

- Certain "off the shelf" icing. Not all brands but a few are!

- Campbell's gravies. All of them!

- The new cereal muffin mixes. If you use egg replacer to bake them up they are wonderful!

- Some of the Tastycake baked fruit pies

- Orville Redinbacher (sp?) Natural Popcorn

Apples, apples and you've got it... more apples

While we were in Lancaster a couple weeks ago I picked up a half bushel of apples. This equated to a brown grocery bag full of beautiful, local apples (about 24 pounds in our case... I believe that a bushel is typically around 43 pounds). I had intentions of making applesauce and some baby food for Jack but wasn't sure how much this would yield.

First came applesauce.

There are several methods for making applesauce. This is the method that I find works for our family.

My supply list includes:

Masher, crank peeler, large knife, vegetable peeler, apples, lemon juice, water, brown sugar and vanilla.

I start by crank peeling all of the apples. This is a good place to find a helper. I find that a trusty five year old comes in quite handy. 

The next job is to core the apples. You can use a corer like the one below but I don't love this method. I find a large, sharp knife does the trick.

I cut around the core in quarters. Then I quarter each piece.

I then place the apples in the crock pot. I found that I could fit about 12 medium apples in my large crock pot. I had to do my applesauce in batches.

To the apples I added the water, brown sugar, lemon and vanilla (I will put the specifics at the bottom). I cooked the apples on low for four hours. At the end of the four hours the apples will be easy to moosh with a fork. 

The next step is to get the applesauce to your desired consistency. For Brian's liking I mash with the potato masher and stop there. For the girls and I we get out the blender and give our sauce a whirl. This is really a taste preference. 

And voila... you have applesauce. You can choose to refrigerate and eat within a few days, freeze or can. Since apples only require a hot water bath canner this is the easiest method for us. (My canning instructions will be posted soon!) 

Applesauce

• 12 medium or large apples
• Juice from 2 lemons or 4 tablespoons refrigerated lemon juice 
• 3 tsp vanilla
• 4TB Brown Sugar
• 1 cup water

**Details on how I can the applesauce to come