Caramel Apple Cookies

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When Fall is beginning with it’s cool and crisp breeze and the leaves are starting to change, I can not help but dream about apple cider. The warm apple flavor makes me feel so cozy. I then begin to enjoy all Fall has to offer from campfires to tick-or-treaters! Then there is this beauty of a cookie that is the perfect composition of the changing seasons. It really is Fall perfection in every bite. The unmistakable flavor of apple cider covering a delicious and chewy soft caramel center. I have adapted this recipe from my Cake Mix Cookies. This wonderful cookie really does make it impossible to have just one!

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Caramel Apple Cookies

A delicious cider cookie with a chewy caramel center
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2 dozen

Ingredients

  • 1 box Yellow Cake Mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 6 packs instant Apple Cider Mix
  • 24 pieces soft chewy caramels individually wrapped

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Mix everything together except the caramels.
  • Unwrap the caramels and place enough of the cider cookie dough around the caramel to cover it.
  • Place the round cookies on a baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake for 10 minutes.

Notes

At 10 minutes of baking time the cookies should just be beginning to set and the edges are barely brown. I let the cookies rest on the hot baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. 

Nursing tip:
Speaking of only having one cookie, if you have to grace the doors of an Emergency Room don’t expect to tell your reason for coming only once. If you are lucky you will only have to state it three to four times. The process starts with registration, then a triage nurse, your regular room nurse, then provider. As a Nurse Practitioner I am never surprised to get a completely different story than registration or other nurses; however, it is entertaining for us to compare notes!

Savory Sweet Potato Quesadillas

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In an effort to remain healthy my parents, brother, and sister-in-law have gotten to where they do not eat meat during the week. Although my husband is not in favor of jumping on this bandwagon I have started trying more meatless meals especially when cooking for my family. I have made these sweet potato and black bean quesadillas a few times and I have to say they are delicious! My meat loving husband is also a fan! Don’t be fooled by the sweet potato name as theses quesadillas have a Mexican inspired flare that is far from sweet!

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Savory Sweet Potato Quesadillas

Savory Sweet Potatoes make a delicious meatless Quesadilla
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time5 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican

Ingredients

  • 3 Sweet Potatoes peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1 pkg Taco Seasoning
  • 1/2 can black beans drained
  • 2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 5-6 soft tortillas

Instructions

  • Place cubed sweet potatoes on a baking sheet with a generous drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle them with the pack of taco seasoning.
  • Roast at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender. You will need to stir a couple of times while cooking to prevent burning.
  • Once potatoes are soft place them in a bowl and mash them with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
  • Stir in the lime juice and salt and pepper if needed.
  • Cover half of the tortilla with a layer of mashed sweet potatoes, top with a spoonful of black beans, and a generous handful of cheddar cheese.
  • Fold over half of the tortilla and grill on the stove or griddle until the outside is lightly brown and the cheese is melted.

Notes

These are great plain or enjoy with your  favorite Mexican toppings such as salsa, avocado, sour cream, or cilantro. 

    

Nursing tip: I love how these sweet potatoes are transformed into a savory dish. In the ER we also find new uses for standard equipment such as; a syringe and IV tip with the needle removed make an excellent ear or wound irrigation tool. Also, one of my favorites is a nasal cannula connected to a bag of saline can be placed on the top of the nose near the eyes if both eyes need to be flushed to remove a chemical.

Pineapple Salsa

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We do a lot of Tex-Mex meals at our house. Although my husband enjoys a fiery kick with his salsa we usually have to meet in the middle for a milder taste for me and our toddler. That is why I love this salsa. It is on the sweeter side but does have a subtle jalapeno kick to it. You can not beat the freshness that this salsa brings. With Cinco de Mayo right around the corner this is the perfect side for any Mexican inspired theme!

Food H & P:
3 large red tomatoes
½ pineapple
½ cup of green bell better
½ cup of yellow onion
½- whole seeded jalapeno (depending on your spicy preference)
2 Tablespoons of cilantro
The juice of 2 limes
Salt and Pepper to taste

Food Rx:
Finely dice everything to roughly the same size, squeeze in lime juice then mix and enjoy! Refrigerate salsa when not consuming!

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