How to Eat a Dragon {Fruit}

We stumbled across this little beauty at WinCo yesterday

I having a love for almost all fruits

wanted to give it a whirl 

Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit

•  Filled with antioxidants, which help to protect against cancer causing radicals 
• Helps to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol 
• Helps fight against asthma, when eat on a regular basis
• Great source of Vitamin C
• Enhances the immune system to promote quick healing for cuts and bruises
• Is high in a varity of vitamins and is known as the multivitamin fruit
• Increases energy production and increases metabolism
• Vitamin B3 in it helps to improve your skin
• Reduces blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 Diabetes
• Its a good source of phosphorus and calcium

Now you might be wondering

How the heck do I eat a dragon fruit? 

l after some quick research on Google

Follow the steps below:

Step #1: Wash the fruit

Step #2: Cut ends off of the fruit

 Step #3: Gawk at the fruit inside
Definitely, a funky fruit

Step #4: Slice the fruit in half

Step #5: Spoon out the flesh inside

like an avocado

 Step #6: Skim the outer edge of the flesh (the pink area) 

Research showed that the flesh is not healthy to eat

Step #7: Cut into Cubes

 Step #8: Enjoy

You can also use this fruit in fruit salads for a fun tropical feel or we added it to a tropical smoothie.

P.S. There are different types of dragon fruit white flesh vs red flesh. We tried the white flesh, which apparently is the blander flavor of the two. The sweetest is the red flesh so if you can find that variety eat that one. Taste is similar to that of a really mild melon. Try it for yourself!

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Apple and Herb Roasted Chicken

Want to impress the in-laws or neighbors coming for dinner? I had my in laws coming over for dinner  for the first time. I wanted to impress them of course, as any newlywed woman would. I wanted something delicious and that would please anyone. This was the perfect recipe. Why not try this recipe and invite over someone to enjoy, you won't regret it. The apples and cranberries really make this recipe special. The chicken is full of flavor and is extremely juicy. If you don't try this recipe you are missing out!! (When they came over for dinner I doubled the recipe, based on the amount of people).


Ingredients:

1 (5 pound) whole chicken, clean and remove insides
2 medium onions
3 apples; peeled, cored, and chopped (I chose Braeburn apples, they are crisp and have the best flavor)
1 cup of fresh whole cranberries
3/4 cup of salted butter, softened
2 tablespoons of fresh rosemary, minced
1 tablespoon of fresh sage, minced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place cleaned chicken on rack in roasting pan
2. In large mixing bowl combine apples, onions, and cranberries

3. In small mixing bowl combine butter, garlic, and herbs.

4. Take 3 tablespoons of butter mixture and rub in chicken's cavity. Massage the outside thoroughly with the butter mixture. Generously salt and pepper the inside and outside of the chicken.
6. Place 1/2 of the apple-onion mixture in the cavity of the bird and the remaining amount at the bottom of the pan.

6. Bake uncovered for 1 hour and 15 minutes and baste the chicken with the drippings every 30 minutes. If it starts to brown to quickly cover with tin foil. Make sure the inside of the bird reaches 180 degrees (test multiple spots).

7. Once temperature is met and outside is golden brown remove from heat. Baste with melted butter and drippings and cover with tinfoil. Let rest for 30 minutes then serve.

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Rich and Creamy Alfredo Sauce

As a newlywed couple I have a few select go to recipes that I can put with a protein and some vegetables without too much fuss. This recipe also has a special place in my heart as it is the first thing Jeff and I cooked together when we were dating. We have spent many nights making and perfecting this recipe and I hope you enjoy.

Ingredients:

5-6 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 cup of butter
1/2 cup of heavy cream
1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
Cooked pasta of choice

Directions:

In a large sauce pan melt butter and add garlic on medium. Constantly stir butter and garlic until it begins to brown (will go through a bubbling stage), slowly add in heavy cream and keep stirring until well mixed. Slowly add in majority of the cheese (keep a little aside to sprinkle on the top of the pasta) . Sauce will begin to thicken add salt and pepper to taste. Combine with cooked pasta and serve hot.

Tips: We add grilled chicken, mushrooms, and/or sauteed shrimp. You can add steamed asparagus or broccoli to add some vegetables. This is a great recipe that you can customize and add different things too. We also just have it with grilled pork chops, chicken, or steak as a side dish.

P.S. I will add pictures soon. I guess alfredo is on the menu this week. 

Eat, Love, and Enjoy

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Caramel Apple Pie

Who doesn't love a good caramel apple? So logically who wouldn't die for a baked caramel apple pie. These recipe is so delicious it is sinful. This pie has always been the first dessert to disappear on Thanksgiving. Yet, this recipe would be equally delicious any time of year. Make it the day before a company comes over for dinner or just make it for your family. The only guarantee is that it won't last long.

Ingredients:

2 made up pie crusts (I make my own here) 
9 Granny Smith Apples- peeled, cored, and thinly sliced.
3/4 cup of unsalted butter
2/3 cup of water
4 tablespoons of flour
3/4 cup of white sugar
3/4 cup of brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon of salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Completely melt butter in sauce pan and then stir in flour (to form a slightly thicker sauce). Add in water and mix with butter. Slowly add in salt, brown sugar, and white sugar. Bring mixture to a boil and stir frequently. 

 Once boiling reduce heat to a simmer for about 5 minutes. Place bottom pie crust in pan and poke holes with a knife all around the shell (essential to prevent bubbles in the crust).

For lattice (woven) top cut other pie crust into 1/2 strips for added decoration you can buy different dough cutters that will make patterned edges (I didn't have a lot of time and was going through the motions quickly, more time you have the prettier the end result).

 Fill pie crust with apples so that it slightly mounds (it will cook down). Pour caramel sauce over the top of the apples and try to disperse evenly. Take strips and weave them together (key is to go one direction then the other) make sure that the pattern goes every other one.

Place pie on cookie sheet traced with tin foil (this pie will ooze while cooking). Bake in oven at 425 for 15 minutes and then reduce temperature to 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft. Then remove from oven and let it cool for filling to set.

Tip: If you want a beautifully golden brown top brush with milk or lightly whipped egg. If you would rather your pie have a shine thin 3/4 cup of light corn syrup with extremely hot water and brush over the top when pie is done (you can add a little white sugar to add sparkle) and then cook for 3 to 4 more minutes to let the glaze dry.

Eat, Love, and Enjoy

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Spiced Cranberry Sauce

My favorite part of Thanksgiving is the homemade cranberry sauce. Its an easy recipe that will be a family favorite that will be requested year after year. There is a secret little zing to this recipe that makes it different from the traditional cranberry sauce. Plus, if you are a canned cranberry person you will never go back.

Ingredients:

12 oz bag of fresh cranberries
1 cup sugar
1 cup orange juice with pulp
2-3 cinnamon sticks


Directions:

In a medium sized sauce pan heat orange juice (I used orange juice with heavy pulp) on medium heat and slowly mix in sugar.

Simmer until all sugar is completely dissolved. Add cranberries and cinnamon sticks and cook until berries pop. Remove from heat and pour sauce into a bowl. Place into refrigerator and the sauce will thicken as it cools. Remove cinnamon sticks before serving.

Eat, Love, and Enjoy

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Easy Garlic Bread

Whenever I make pasta I can't help but make up a batch of these delicious beauties. There is nothing better than garlic bread and the easier the better.

Ingredients:

1 loaf of french bread
3-5 cloves of garlic (finely minced)
1/2 cup of salted butter
1 tablespoon of dried parsley
1 cup shredded Parmesan  cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cooking sheet with tin foil. Cut bread into 1/2 inch slices evenly spread out slices on cookie sheet.

In small mixing bowl thoroughly blend together garlic, parsley, butter, and half the Parmesan.

Spread mixture evenly over all pieces of bread and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan.

Bake in oven for about 7-10 minutes or until golden brown.

Eat, Love, and Enjoy

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Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Peppers

A fun spin on a home style classic. These recipe yields a delicious, cheesy, and moist stuffed pepper that is to die for. The quick little twist will have your family or guests raving at your creativity. My husband got in on the fun and was even more creative than mine. He is responsible for the pirate pepper. {Be careful while carving not to stab yourself}

Ingredients:

5 medium tomatoes- seeded and chopped
1 medium yellow onion- chopped
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup salsa (I use my homemade version)
1 cup water
5 medium green peppers-washed and cored
1 pound sage sausage
1 cup cup medium grain rice, cooked and cooled
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut peppers in desired faces (we used a paring knife).

 

Steam green peppers until about half way tenderized. In a large saucepan saute onions in butter. Then add salsa, 1 cup water and tomatoes and simmer until cooked down (about 10-15 minutes).

 In separate pan brown sausage (just so its slightly pink) add salt and pepper to taste. Remove peppers and let cool so they can be handled. Combine beef, rice, 1 cup of cheese, and approx half of the sauce. Stuff peppers until they are almost filled. Place peppers in about about 1/4 inch of hot water in glass baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over peppers and let sauce mix with steaming water.

Finally, top each pepper with the rest of the mozzarella cheese. Bake in the oven until cheese is golden brown, meat is done, and peppers are tender (approx 30-40 minutes).

Eat, Love, and Enjoy

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