Old Fashioned Sauerkraut Salad

I wanted to use up what was left of some sauerkraut so I scaled this down and served it with our bar-b-que on Sunday. Good stuff folks:@) This Old Fashioned Sauerkraut Salad whips up in no time, and is actually better if you can let it mingle for a few hours. I'd consider this an alternative to mayonnaise based cole slaw, and had some with a hotdog. Simply drain the kraut, don't press it dry, and be sure to adjust the salt to taste. My best tip: I suggest using a mild olive oil or vegetable oil, my extra virgin olive oil was pretty assertive, but did mellow with time. Have to say, I was pleasantly surprised with this side dish folks, don't hesitate to give it a try if you're up for something different. Be sure to stay tuned, I'll have a little mini series of sauerkraut ideas coming up...

Easily cut in half, 

or estimated for lesser amounts.

Old Fashioned Sauerkraut Salad -from here

32 oz sauerkraut, drained

3 Tblsp olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped fine

1 medium carrot, peeled and grated

half apple, chopped-peel if desired

1 tsp sugar

S&P to taste

fresh parsley or dill for garnish

~Mix everything together, chill at least one hour and serve.

Eat well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Apple and Marshmallow Salad

I love it when I see something a little different and realize I already have everything on-hand to make it:@) That was the case with this Apple and Marshmallow Salad. This is cool and creamy, and what I like best is, it calls for mayonnaise, so no need to run to the store for pudding or Cool Whip. I also feel that the mayo tames the sweetness a bit, and makes it a little more of a side dish as opposed to a dessert. But, you can honestly call it either/or, or both. One son would eat it with dinner, one after dinner. Good stuff folks, and easily cut in half for a smaller batch. My apple was a little sad so I peeled it, the pretty red would add some nice color.

Other sweet apple salads:

Snickers Apple Salad ~ Fruit Salad w/Pudding

I've added a Marshmallow Love Pinterest Board...

All Pig In Mud Pinterest Boards here.

Apple and Marshmallow Salad-from Taste of Home

3 C apple, 1/2" diced-peeled or not, your call

2 Tblsp fresh lemon juice

1 C celery, sliced

1 C miniature marshmallows

2/3 C mayonnaise-original calls for fat free, I used regular

1/2 C pecans or walnuts, toasted is best

1. Mix apples and lemon juice in large bowl.
2. Mix in everything else except nuts, store covered in refrigerator until ready to serve.
3. Mix in nuts and serve.

Eat well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Small Any Fruit Pie Filling Dump Cake Recipe -Jiffy Cake Mix

Every once in a while I like to make a fast dessert using minimal ingredients, and this one only calls for three things. I'd also prefer that it only be for dinner, not temp me for days:@) That's exactly what this Small Any Fruit Dump Cake is, and we all thought it was pretty darn good. Maybe not Easter buffet glamorous, but nice for Sunday dinner. Especially with a little scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Start with any canned fruit pie filling you'd like, and it really doesn't matter what size... This will work best with 20 oz, but I think we can get away with 15 oz if that's all we have. And instead of a regular cake mix, I used the smaller Jiffy size, it worked great. 

Note: 9x13" crowd size would require two cans of pie filling, a full size cake mix, and 1/2 C butter.

Small Any Fruit Dump Cake

20 oz can pie filling

Jiffy yellow cake mix

1/4 C butter, cut into thin pats

1. Pour pie filling into pie dish.
2. Evenly sprinkle cake mix over filling.
3. Add pats of butter all over top.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35-45 minutes or until top is golden brown and bubbling at edges.
5. Serve with ice cream if desired.

Let's try something new, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Crescent Roll Apple Pie Danish

I had a few apples to use up and decided to treat myself to these easy little Crescent Roll Apple Pie Danish for breakfast. Store bought rolls, an apple, some cinnamon and sugar... Wa-la, breakfast is served:@) Pillsbury adds some butter and used apple pie spice. I chose to add a little sprinkle of pumpkin spice, and topped them with some sanding sugar. Two suggestions: 1. Add the apple slices to a bowl, cover it and microwave for about 45 seconds, let them cool. This will help the apples soften up a bit more. 2. These danish would be ~wonderful~ with a pretty white confectioners sugar glaze. Next time...

Get the kids involved folks,

they'd love to help with this one:@)

Crescent Roll Apple Pie Danish-from Pillsbury

1 apple, peeled, cored and cut into 8 pieces-I cut mine into 16

*I microwaved my apples for a bit and added 2 slices per danish

3 Tblsp butter, melted-I did not use this

8 Crescent Rolls, separated

1/3 C packed brown sugar

1 tsp apple pie spice

1. Drizzle 1 Tblsp butter over sliced apples, set aside.
2. Mix sugar and spice. Spread evenly over the 8 triangles of dough.
3. Add apple to wide end, roll up.
4. Place on parchment covered baking sheet.
5. Brush top with reserved butter. 
6. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 12-14 minutes. Watch carefully towards end.
7. Cool.
8. Optional: Add extra dusting of spice or powdered sugar, or drizzle with glaze. Or turn into a dessert and serve with ice cream as Pillsbury suggests.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

No Sugar Micro Batch Apple Butter -Little Dipper Crock Pot

I had four apples leftover and they were starting to look sad... So I thought I'd whip up a little No Sugar Apple Butter, and to help flavor it, I used pumpkin spice because I think it seems a little sweeter than plain cinnamon. This is truly a set it up and let it do it's thing recipe, I used my Little Dipper Crock Pot. Have more apples? Use a larger slow cooker. I also used a liner, ~love~ the easy clean-up:@) Add spices to taste once done cooking. Four small apples made about 4 oz. Good stuff folks!

Now, this is ~your~ apple butter...

Want it a little sweeter?

Either let it cook down longer, 

or add sugar to taste.

No Sugar Micro Batch Apple Butter

1. Peel, core and small dice apples.
2. Add to slow cooker vessel, use a liner if desired.
3. Place towel under lid and cook on high for about 2 1/2 hours..
4. Remove lid, mash apples.
5. If home, continue to cook on high, if leaving mostly unattended turn to low. Leave lid off and stir occasionally. Cook until liquid reduces and butter becomes brown and thick. *I used the Little Dipper and cooked mine for about 10 hours.
6. Cool, add lid and store in the refrigerator.

Let's use it up and have a happy day:@)

Raisin Bran Muffins

I had some cereal to use up and decided to turn it into these Raisin Bran Muffins. My recipe below is a variation of the vintage recipe on the side of the box. I eliminated the shortening and cut back a little on the fat by substituting some apple sauce. Also bumped up the flavor with some cinnamon. My best suggestion, add more raisins and maybe a handful of nuts, that would make them even better:@) These muffins do freeze well.

A tip I read from seasoned bakers:

Let the cereal begin to soften in the milk before adding everything else.

Raisin Bran Muffins-adapted from Kellogg's

2 C Raisin Bran Cereal

3/4 C milk

1 egg, beaten

2 Tblsp butter, melted

2 Tblsp applesauce

1 C flour, any combination of A/P and whole wheat-I used half/half

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

1/4 C sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1. Add cereal and milk to large bowl, stir and let sit while gathering everything else.
2. Mix everything until just combined.
3. Fill paper lined or well sprayed muffin pan 2/3 full with batter.
4. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until muffins are set.
5. Serve warm.

Enjoy a healthier snack and have a happy day:@)

Healthier Coffee Break Loaded Oatmeal & Whole Wheat Cookies

I'm always looking for a munchie around 9AM with my coffee at work. And honestly, some of my choices just aren't the best... So I decided to try to make a better-for-me cookie, and while still a sweet treat, these Healthier Oatmeal and Whole Wheat Cookies make a snack I feel better about eating:@) They are loaded with walnuts and raisins, and if you have some dark chocolate chips on-hand, yep, toss some in too. This is another recipe to help use up one ripe banana, and my next batch will use applesauce. Good stuff folks!

There is a nice slightly crisp bite with soft centers out of the oven,

the outsides will soften up a bit in the airtight container.

Healthier Oatmeal Cookies with Whole Wheat Flour

1/4 C butter, softened

1/2 C brown sugar, light or dark, whichever you have

1/4 C mashed banana or applesauce-this batch was banana

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

1 C whole wheat flour-I used white whole wheat for this batch

1 C old fashioned oatmeal

1/2 tsp baking soda

pinch salt-optional

1 1/2 C add ins-I used walnuts, raisins and a couple Tblsp semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Beat butter and brown sugar, mix in banana, vanilla and egg.
2. Add flour, oatmeal and baking soda, mix well. Scrape down bowl.
3. Stir in nuts, raisins and chocolate chips (or whatever add-in's you're using).
4. Drop by spoonful onto cookie sheets.
5. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes or until lightly browned.
6. Cool for a few minutes on baking sheet, add to cooling rack.
7. Store in airtight container.

Enjoy a cookie and have a happy day:@)

ReView: Cranberry Apple Jam & Barbie Outerwear Christmas Gifts-DIY

Leftover cranberries in the freezer? How about whipping up some Cranberry Apple Jam, I've provided a recipe that can be scaled down or up depending upon how much you'd like to make. And since cranberries have natural pectin, no store bought pectin is required! Just fruit and sugar, nice and easy... Add some warm spices and this would be a perfect Christmas gift:@) Good on toast or over cream cheese as an appetizer with crackers.

And as we're gathering gift ideas for the little Barbie enthusiasts in our life,

here are some cute DIY outerwear ideas that come together pretty quickly.

Mattel doesn't offer much cold weather gear...

No sew poncho from wide ribbon:

Knit Vests HERE

Vary the type of yarn used for different looks.

Crochet Poncho HERE

Happy Holiday Planning🎅

Strawberry Jello Mold with Cranberry, OJ & Pineapple

I changed up the flavors in this year's holiday Jello mold a bit and have to say, this is a very nice flavor combination. Strawberry Jello Mold with Cranberry, OJ and Pineapple will be great with Thanksgiving dinner, but I think would work even better for Christmas because of the pineapple. And of course, the color is just amazing. While the molds add a little fun to the festivities, please don't let not having one stop you from making a Jello salad folks, simply use a bowl, baking dish, bundt pan, etc, anything goes... And it's sure to add a little chatter to the dinner table:@) Please note: The color is off in the pics, it's a very deep ruby red.

Recipe below makes approximately 5 C.

Tip: Don't worry about using a smaller mold 

(I'm thinking about the iconic Tupperware 4 C mold).

Simply pour any extra Jello into another bowl or cup,

think of it as the cook's treat:@)

Here I used a 3 C bundt pan and 2 1/2 C mold.

Came up a little short on the mold, but it still worked out!

Some folks will eat this as a side dish, some as dessert.

Having a little whipped cream on-hand is never a bad idea...

Just sayin'.

Strawberry Jello Mold with Cranberry, OJ & Pineapple
2 (3 oz, four serving size) strawberry Jello-regular or I used sugar free this time
1 C boiling water
15 oz can whole cranberry sauce
8 oz crushed pineapple, undrained
1 C orange juice

1. In large bowl, dissolve Jello in boiling water.
2. Stir in cranberry sauce until dissolved, add pineapple and orange juice, mix well.
3. Pour into 5 cup mold sprayed with cooking spray (or two smaller bowls/molds).
4. **Note: I poured mine into the molds right after mixing, the fruit settled a bit and is concentrated more towards the top (in the pictures). If you'd like your fruit to be more evenly distributed throughout the whole mold, allow mixture to partially set in fridge, about 30-40 minutes, give a good stir and then spoon into the mold.
5. Cover and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours, overnight is always best.
6. Dip mold in warm water, dry outside of mold, put plate on top, turn upside down to unmold.
7. Cover and store in refrigerator until serving.

Make something just for fun this holiday season,

and have a happy day:@)🦃🎅

Snickers Apple Salad (or Dessert, or Dip) -Leftover Candy

This Candy Bar Apple Salad is a nice way to use up a couple extra Snickers bars, while balancing the sweet with some healthy apples. It's cool, creamy, crunchy, and comes together fairly quickly. And if you want to tuck the candy away for a couple weeks, it would be a great side dish, or dessert, at Thanksgiving too. And I purposely used red and green apples to hint that you might want to add the recipe to your Christmas list of ideas as well:@) Serving it in a fancy trifle bowl would certainly make it holiday ready!

Don't want to use Snickers?

I think this would be very good using apples, peanuts and raisins...

And maybe some dark chocolate chips:@)

Another fun idea, dice everything a little smaller 

and serve as a dip with those flat, thin, scoopable pretzels.

Snickers/Candy Bar Apple Salad-from Taste of Home

1 1/2 C cold milk

3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix

8 oz Cool Whip, thawed

4 large apples, chopped-I used red and green apples

4 regular size Snickers bars, cut into 1/2" pieces

Peanuts for garnish-optional

1. In large bowl whisk milk and pudding. Let sit about 2 minutes.
2. Fold in whipped cream.
3. Fold in apples and candy.
4. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Enjoy something different and have a happy day:@)

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Jiffy Mix Cinnamon Apple Cornbread

This Cinnamon Apple Cornbread using Jiffy Mix couldn't be easier folks! And it's great as either a coffee cake for breakfast or as bread with dinner. Especially if you're serving pork as we're getting closer to Oktoberfest... I made mine in an 8" round pan, you can use an 8" square pan but the cake may be a little thinner, and you could also make muffins. Since I served it for breakfast, I added a little extra sprinkle of coarse sanding sugar on top. Slathering it with butter would be pretty darn good too:@) 

Best eaten the day it's made.

Jiffy Mix Cinnamon Apple Cornbread-adapted from Jiffy Mix

One box Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix

1 egg

1/3 C milk-I used half and half

1 apple, peeled, cored and small diced

1 - 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon-you know your crowd...

sanding sugar-optional

granola-optional

1. Mix egg and milk well, stir in Jiffy Mix.
2. Stir in apple.
3. Pour batter into sprayed 8" pan or paper lined muffin tin.
4. Sprinkle top with sanding sugar or granola if desired.
5. Bake at 400 degrees 15-20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

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Fried Zapples -Zucchini with Cinnamon and Sugar

I found one club size zucchini in the raised bed, and read that the large ones are best for baking, or sweet, type recipes. Someone said the smaller ones taste more fresh, or greener? Don't know, but sounds good to me... These Fried Zapples are a nice side dish for ham or pork. As the name implies, it's a wink and nod to cooked apples with cinnamon and sugar. I do recommend peeling all the green off. What helps give them the faux apple taste? Some lemon juice, oh and butter... Don't hesitate to give this one a try folks, especially if you have a big zuke to use up. Will it trick the kids (or hubby)? Kinda doubt it, but it might just be a fun little conversation starter around the dinner table:@)

Sure does ~look~ very similar to apples:@)

Only use a super huge zuke, and only the seedy center part.

Approximately 2-3 cups of cut vegetable.

Fried Zapples

Extra large zucchini, peeled, cut into quarters lengthwise, V cut the seeds out of center, 1/4" slices-use the fat seeded center of a monster zuke, approx 6-7" long

2 Tblsp butter

small pinch of salt

1/2 Tblsp flour

2 Tblsp brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2-2 Tblsp lemon juice, more if necessary

1. Add zucchini, butter and small pinch of salt to skillet (non-stick is great here). Cook over medium heat until zucchini begins to soften.
2. Sprinkle flour, brown sugar and cinnamon over top. Cook for a minute or two.
3. Add lemon juice, cook until thickened and bubbly. Add more lemon juice if it gets too thick.
4. Serve immediately.

Let's use what the garden gifts us and have a happy day:@)

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One Apple Cake, no oil or butter

I had one sad little apple that needed to be used up, so I threw this One Apple Cake together for Sunday dinner. Lots of cinnamon flavor and the bites of apple are great. It might not be the prettiest cake, but it ~was~ a very tasty cake:@) You could always add a little glaze or sprinkling of powdered sugar, but we enjoyed it as is. It's especially nice with a cup of coffee... Even my non-sweets loving son asked to take some home. 

The apple keeps it nice and moist:@)

One Apple Cake

1 egg

3/4 C sugar-can cut back a bit if desired

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 C applesauce-I used unsweetened

1 C A/P flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 apple, peeled, cored, and chopped

1. Mix egg, sugar, cinnamon and applesauce with fork.
2. Stir in flour and baking soda.
3. Fold in apples.
4. Pour into sprayed 4x8 loaf/bread pan.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 40-50 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

Dashing Through the Snow -Christmas Pie Embellishment

While we love desserts of all sorts, there's no doubt about it, apple pie is #1 with the crew here at Pig In Mud. I wanted to mention that it's fun to decorate pies too folks... I've had this retro Santa decoration from Etsy for a few years, and decided to bring it out for this pie. I simply gave the cool top crust a dusting of powdered sugar and, wa-la, we have snow! I think Santa, the reindeer and trees are really sweet and give this dessert just a little extra something-something:@)

Santa says, gotta dash off...

Kinda busy time of year:@)

My Pie Recipes and Decorating Pinterest Board can be found here.

Make the season magical and have a happy day:@)

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Peanut Butter Dip -Oven or Little Dipper Crock Pot

This Peanut Butter Dip is a nice treat that can be served with anything from apples and celery, to pretzels and graham crackers for dipping. Actually, bagel chips might be really good too... The recipe was written up for the Little Dipper Crock Pot, but since not everyone has one, I made this batch in the oven and it turned out just fine. The main difference, the slow cooker will keep it warm longer, but then, it might not last long enough to worry about that anyway:@) This is a little thicker than the average dip, yet more dippable than peanut butter. I might stir in one last splash of cream next time.

I used my 5" LeCreuset square baking dish.

Peanut Butter Dip-from A Year of Slow Cooking

3/4 C smooth peanut butter

1/4 C brown sugar-I added 2 Tblsp

1/4 C cream or half and half

1 tsp vanilla

4 regular size marshmallows

Anything you'd like to dip that goes with peanut butter.

Oven: 

• Place in baking dish big enough to hold everything, yet shallow enough for dipping. Cover with foil, bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove foil stir, return to oven until marshmallows have melted enough to incorporate, maybe 10-15 minutes more. Stir well and serve.

Little Dipper Crock Pot:

• Add everything, cover, heat for one hour, or until everything melts and can be stirred together.

Have a sticky sweet happy day:@)

Berry Merry Christmas Jello Mold -Raspberry Jello, Mandarin Oranges & Cinnamon

I'm still on my campaign to bring Jello molds back to holiday tables everywhere folks:@) While today's contribution isn't anything too ground breaking, it ~is~ one the kids (and kids of all ages) will like! This Berry Merry Christmas Jello Mold starts with raspberry Jello, and we bump up the fruity goodness with some well drained mandarin oranges, and cinnamon adds a little warm spice. The idea was to keep it fruity friendly for the kids, and to keep all that "weird" crunchy stuff out... Like celery and nuts, as some might say. Now, you know your crowd... By all means add in anything that sounds good, and I'm thinking a handful of blueberries would be great. 

Such pretty color,

one son eats it with dinner, the other for dessert:@)

Berry Merry Christmas Jello Mold 

(Feeds 4-6 people, depending on your crowd and other side dishes)
3 oz Raspberry Jello
1 C boiling water
1/2 C cold water

1/2 tsp cinnamon

15 oz-ish can mandarin oranges, well drained-I get mine at Dollar Tree

1. In large bowl, add cinnamon and dissolve Jello in boiling water.
2. Stir in cold water.
3. Place in refrigerator until partially set, approximately 45 minutes, time can vary greatly.
4. Gently fold in the oranges.
5. Pour into 3 cup mold sprayed with cooking spray.
6. Cover and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours, overnight is best.
7. Dip outside of mold in warm water, dry off, invert onto serving platter.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

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Cranberry Sauce Recipe Round-Up: Pumpkin Spice, plus Savory, Jiggly & Barbie's too...

I thought it would be fun to try a new Pumpkin Spice Cranberry Sauce (hello three ingredients!). This is a very simple recipe, cranberries, sugar and pumpkin spice, add in about 15 minutes of cooking time and wa-la, we have a nicely spiced holiday favorite. There is a lot of wiggle room here folks, want it sweeter? Add more sugar. Want more punch from the spices? Stir in more at the end. Want to add a little something extra? I'm thinking stirring in some chopped pecans before serving would be nice. Cook this a day or two ahead, it will thicken as it chills in the refrigerator. 

Start with 12 oz fresh/frozen cranberries, 3/4 C sugar, 1 tsp pumpkin spice and 1/4 C water. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer, cook until berries pop. Adjust sugar and spice to taste. Cool completely.

Looking for a few other ideas?

Cranberry Tangerine Chutney

Longer ingredient list and more involved, but worth it!

Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce 

Love the addition of bay leaves, it smells good cooking for a few hours too.

Cranberry and Strawberry Jello Mold 

Yep, guaranteed giggles and just look at that beautiful color folks:@)

No matter what else I make, Thanksgiving at our house ~requires~ jellied canned cranberry sauce. So I wanted to come up with an easy cranberry platter for Barbie, and I think I found it. It starts with a Dollar Tree pack of pencil grips and I used a fun retro-ish button for the dish. Once you have whatever you're using for your dish this project comes together in no time and it's so cute! If you have a larger platter, you could add a couple slices too.

What I did:

1. My button came in a pack of vintage reproduction buttons, it's plastic. I cut the back loop off with wire cutters and popped the center detailing out. This left a dish-like indent.
2. Using the size of your serving dish as a guide... Cut about four-five-six rows off of pencil grip. If dish is long enough, also cut one or two "slices" off of grip. The grip is rubbery, I found scissors worked best.
3. Carefully fill the center with hot glue, let dry. Tip: I placed it on a piece of parchment paper with the opening down on the paper, filled it and tamped the top down flat holding a folded piece of parchment. The key is to get the whole center filled solid. Let sit until set, go on to next piece if making slices. 
4. Once dried, I pulled/cut glue strings off to make it as smooth as possible. Then "painted" the whole thing with shiny nail polish in a cranberry color. You could also let a little ooze onto the plate to represent a little liquid. 
5. Glue to dish.
6. Barbie says dinner is served!

What I started with:

You can find my free pattern and instructions to make a no-sew holiday apron here. This apron even fits Elf on the Shelf😎

~ Eat well and have a happy holiday season:@)

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Acorn Squash with Apple Pie Filling

I kept seeing cans of apple pie filling at Dollar Tree and knew I wanted to make something with it... This Acorn Squash with Apple Pie Filling was a fun side dish. And if you get lucky and find the squash at your local garden center for $1, well, happy fall! (Actually, Aldi had it for $1.15, that's not bad either:@) This would be perfect with some pan fried ham or kielbasa, add a slice of buttered bread and dinner is served. I've seen baked squash stuffed with apples, I like the idea of serving the apples on the side so folks can help themselves, making this a four serving side dish.

I added my pumpkin label because (well, it's squash:@), 

and I added pumpkin spice to both the apples and squash.

Another addition that sounds good, a handful of raisins.

Acorn Squash with Apple Pie Filling

1. Cut squash in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds.
2. Place cut side down in baking dish (can place on parchment paper for easier clean-up if desired).
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from oven.
4. Carefully flip squash cut side up. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and dust with pumpkin spice.
5. Return to oven for 20-25 minutes, check for doneness. It's ready to eat when flesh is tender.
6. Stir 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice into 21 oz can of apple pie filling. (Want to up the flavor and add more spice? You know your crowd:@) Heat apples on stove or in microwave. 
7. Cut squash into quarters, serve with apples at table.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

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Fresh Fruit Salad with Vanilla Pudding Dressing & Gourmet Gift Baskets for Father's Day

Let's face it folks, guys aren't always easy to buy for... But if there's one thing I'm sure of, they do like to eat! May I suggest considering a great gift tower or basket of goodies this Father's Day from Gourmet Gift Baskets.com, they make the perfect gift whether your dad is local or across the country. I love the variety to choose from, everything from a breakfast in bed (k-cups included), to peanut butter cup popcorn for the dad with a sweet tooth, to fresh fruit and nuts. And yes, their generosity was the inspiration for this Fresh Fruit Salad with Vanilla Pudding Dressing. The pudding adds a little vanilla flavor and makes a sweet sauce that has some creamy body to it. Oh, and it's only two ingredients-gotta love that:@)

This gift box is called Farmer's Market and it was at my door in two days.

Everything was packaged securely, fresh, and sealed well.

It's a very nice mix with a little bit of everything...

Under the snack bags is a log of summer sausage, brick of cheddar cheese and some crackers. 

And of course there are buckets of beer and munchies because, 

you know, snacking isn't just for football season:@)

No need to worry about the correct size or color. 

You don't need to know if he's still into last year's hobby...

Just pour a cuppa and scroll through Gourmet Gift Baskets for the perfect Father's Day gift.

I think you'll both be happy:@)

Fruit Salad with Vanilla Pudding Dressing

3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding

1 C lemon/lime soda, divided-reserve 2 Tblsp

2 oranges, peeled and cut into segments

1/2 lb grapes cut in half, any color

2 red apples, cut into bite size chunks

Optional-you'll have more than enough dressing to toss in a handful of berries if desired

1. Pour pudding mix into large bowl. 
2. Measure soda, pour 2 Tblsp into separate bowl. Add the rest of the 1 C to the pudding. Whisk until smooth.
3. Add oranges and grapes to pudding.
4. As you cut the apple, add the slices to the second bowl with soda. Mix to coat so the apples don't brown.
5. Scoop apples out into pudding mixture.
6. Gently stir to coat everything.
7. Push plastic wrap down into bowl on top of fruit. 
8. Place in refrigerator for 2 hours. Stir and serve within 4 hours ideally.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

I'd like to thank Gourmet Gift Baskets for their generous sample to review.

All opinions are my own.

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Red Cabbage Slaw with Apples in an Orange Dressing

This Red Cabbage Slaw with Apples tossed in an Orange Dressing not only got a big thumbs up, but the words "refreshing, and reminds me of summer" were even tossed around during Sunday dinner at the end of February. While I did question the word summer... This is truly a vibrantly colored, crunchy, fresh, and healthy salad. Now, I've tried a lot of recipes for my coleslaw series here on the blog, but I have to say, this one gets my darn good label! Be sure to use the fresh parsley, it's key... Don't hesitate to give it a try folks, it might just become a favorite of yours too:@)

This is one of those salads that's best made and eaten the same day.

You can find my side salads Pinterest Board here.

Red Cabbage Slaw with Apples in an Orange Dressing-from Spend with Pennies

4 C shredded red cabbage

3 carrots, shredded

1 apple, julienned

2 Tblsp fresh parsley, chopped

2 Tblsp orange juice

2 Tblsp vegetable oil

1 Tblsp sugar

1 Tblsp cider vinegar

1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

S&P to taste

1. Mix everything well (I put it all in a Lock-N-Lock and gave it a few good shakes and kept flipping the bowl).
2. Let mingle in fridge for an hour before serving.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

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