Tag: side

Baked Apple Crisp

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If I need a walk down memory lane, all the way back to Kosciusko, MS, I just make this delicious side! I have always loved this dish. The soft, sweet, and tender apples topped with a warm, chewy, cinnamon, oatmeal crust. This really is the perfect brunch, breakfast, breakfast for dinner “brinner”, or dessert dish. It has also become my official late-night pregnancy craving!

I confess when I was growing up, I was not the biggest fan of breakfast for dinner. I was of the mindset that breakfast food should be served only in the morning. My change of thinking has completely transformed as I am now a wife and mother. I had the genius idea of cooking enough to supply a good helping of leftovers after supper time which would lead to a no stress morning with lots of breakfast options! I also use to be a morning person before I had two babies with another on the way!

I do not mind at all when I see apples on sale at the grocery store or have a few that are about to go bad. I generally have the rest of the pantry ingredients already on hand. And hey, what’s better than warm fruit topped with butter and brown sugar? What makes this dish even more desirable? That the “baked” part can be accomplished with a quick microwave. There is no need to heat up the house on those hot Mississippi days!

This delicious side should not be dedicated as only a breakfast option. It is also wonderful served with a warm ham steak or next to a melting scoop of vanilla ice cream! Next time you need a sweet fix (with a side of fruit) I hope you give this one a try!

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Baked Apple Crisp

A delicious baked apple dish complete with a warm and chewy oatmeal topping
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Author: The Food Practitioner

Ingredients

  • 5-6 apples peeled, cored, and diced
  • 2/3 cup quick- cooking rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup butter

Instructions

  • Place the diced apples in the bottom of a greased 8 x 8 baking dish.
  • Combine remaining ingredients, except butter, in a mixing bowl.
  • Now cut the butter into the oatmeal mixture until crumbly.
  • Sprinkle the oatmeal mixture over the apples.
  • Microwave for 12-16 minutes, until apples are tender.

Notes

You can also substitute fresh apples for 2 cans of apple pie filling. Beware, this makes the dish a lot sweeter!

Tomato Pie

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Calling ALL Tomato Lovers!

Nothing says summer like the taste of fresh vegetables. I personally wish I had room (and ability and time) for a large backyard garden that I could peruse for mealtimes. That being said, I gratefully accept all tomatoes! You can not beat the deliciousness and simplicity of a BLT with mozzarella, fresh basil, a little mayo, on homemade white bread. Tomatoes are so versatile. You can slice and eat on a sandwich or make the most delicious sauces. However, at the top of my list is Tomato Pie.

Don’t let the name fool you. I feel like this amazing side star needs a more robust name as it certainly is a show stopper! You start with a store bought deep dish pie crust, fill it with the juiciest and freshest tomatoes, then top with a gooey, melty, cheese topping. Simply put, it is amazing!

Tomato Pie makes me wish for summer and that says a lot for a southern girl! Seeing my counter lined with fresh and plump tomato beauties makes breaking out into a sweat walking to the mailbox worth it!   

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Tomato Pie

A delicious summer side dish with fresh tomatoes and a cheesy top!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Author: The Food Practitioner

Ingredients

  • 2 large fresh tomatoes
  • 1 deep dish pie crust baked until lightly brown
  • 1/2 cup fresh chopped basil
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped greeen onions
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Peel and slice tomatoes, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and place in a colander to drain.
  • Assemble to cheese topping by mixing cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, mayonnaise, and green onions.
  • Place tomatoes in cooked deep dish pie shell and sprinkle with fresh basil.
  • Spread the cheese mixture over the tomatoes and basil.
  • Cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until cheese melts and turns a little brown, about 20 minutes.

Notes

I have used different cheeses or what I had on hand such as Pepper Jack or Parmesan cheese, which are both tasty!
There are also other vegetables you can add such as zucchini, squash, and onions that also gives a great flavor. If using these vegetables I would saute first until cooked through and soft before adding them to the pie shell.
Let cooked pie rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.  

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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