Friday Food

I love fall. Like so many others, it is definitely my favorite season. Apples, pumpkins, changing leaves, the crispness in the air. You can tell the dogs love it too because ours have been little bundles of energy these past few weeks!

While waiting at the marathon, my Mom must have told my husband that once all this running was over I'd start cooking again. Totally selling me out. I actually never stopped cooking. The thing is, my husband wants to eat salads with grilled chicken every single night. Seriously, he wants that routine at dinner now. I can certainly have that in the house at all times and then make some different things as well because I'm not really on board with his plan.

Anyway, I was craving chili...my Dad's chili is the only kind I am used to and while I know his basic proportions, mine isn't as good, but still fits the bill. Especially when served my favorite way - over spaghetti.

Chili

1 pound ground turkey (can easily omit)
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans condensed tomato soup
2 cans tomato sauce
1 can EACH light red kidney beans, dark red kidney beans and chili beans
Salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder (generous portion), red pepper flakes and any other seasonings to taste

Brown the meat with onion, green pepper and garlic. Add sauce, soup and seasonings. Simmer for a few hours. Then, add beans and continue to simmer. If I'm pressed for time, I just add it all at once and let it simmer as long as I have. Tastes better the longer it goes!


As soon as fall starts, apples start and I start hearing the question: "When is there going to be an apple cake in this house". There's an apple orchard less than 5 miles from our house. When I was planning long runs during the marathon training, I totally thought I was going to be able to find some back roads that would lead me past the orchard. I was very disappointed when I found out that none of them would go directly by it but I came close.

I totally cannot get a good picture of a Gooey Apple Cake because it looks awful. Certainly nothing you would want to serve guests, but it is a lovely mix of deliciousness.

Gooey Apple Cake

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, almost completely melted
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
½ cup buttermilk (I never have and just use skim milk)
2 cups chopped apples (Jonathan or McIntosh here!)
2 tsp. cinnamon

Topping:
2 – ½ cups powdered sugar
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
½ cup oats

Mix melted butter and sugar. Add eggs. Beat well. Combine the flour, baking soda and cinnamon in a small bowl. Add flour mixture alternately with milk. Mix well; fold in chopped apples. Spread in greased 13x9 pan. Mix topping ingredients and pour over cake before baking. Do not stir. Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes; center should remain slightly gooey.