Apple Pie Bread

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon apple pie spice (replacement: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon + 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg)
• 4 large (or 6 medium) apples, peeled, sliced, and cut into bite-size chunks
• TOPPING
• 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat two 9x5 inch loaf pans with cooking spray and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine the butter, brown sugar, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until mixture is creamy. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and apple pie spice. Gradually add the flour mixture to the large bowl and mix until fully incorporated. Fold in the apples and pour into the prepared loaf pan. 

To make the topping, combine 2 Tablespoons of melted butter with 1/2 cup each of flour and brown sugar. Mix with a fork until crumbly and pour evenly over the top of the batter. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, checking for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the break. Cut into slices and serve warm.

BLT Grilled Cheese (BLTGC)

Ingredients (1 serving)

• 2-4 slices of bacon
• 2 slices tomato
• 2 slices sourdough bread
• 1 Tablespoon butter, room temperature
• 1 slice cheddar cheese
• 1 slice mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup lettuce, shredded

Cook the bacon until crispy and set aside on paper towels to drain.

Drain most of the bacon grease from the pan and fry the tomato slices for about half a minute on each side. (optional)

Heat a clean pan over medium heat.

Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place 1 slice of cheese onto the unbuttered side of one slice of bread followed by the bacon, lettuce, tomato and the other slice of cheese. Finally top with the second  slice of bread with the buttered side up.

Grill over medium heat until golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 2-3 minuted per side. Enjoy!

Sausage Alfredo

Ingredients

• 1 package Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage
• 8 oz. pasta, cooked, drained
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tsp. Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.

Saute sausage for 5 minutes. 

Add cream and Cajun seasoning and boil. Reduce heat; simmer 3-4 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken. Stir in Parmesan. Add pasta and toss.

*Great additions are peas, tomatoes, or any of your favorite vegetables. Just stir them in and simmer.