Looly's Extra-Fancy Vietnamese Cinnamon Apples

After much anticipation, Looly finally got to put her Extra-Fancy Vietnamese Cinnamon to the test. Did I mention this is no ordinary cinnamon. It's extra-fancy. What separates extra-fancy cinnamon from regular cinnamon, you ask? A mini-tuxedo and top hat perhaps? Sadly no. But Penzeys claims their Vietnamese Cinnamon is the strongest, richest, and sweetest cinnamon around, so hold onto your top hats, people. Looly is understandably impressed.

Personally I've been craving rot your teeth, chisel out of the pan cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing, but always the picture of moderation, Looly chose simple warm cinnamon apples instead. She is like her mother in other ways.

Hacking Peeling some apples

Grating the nutmeg

Go time!

Looly's Extra-Fancy Vietnamese Cinnamon Apples

6 Granny Smith (or other tart) apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into wedges
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp. Penzeys Extra-Fancy Vietnamese Cinnamon
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. butter

1. Combine apple slices, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, nutmeg and salt in a large bowl. Toss to coat.

2. Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add apple mixture and cook until soft, about 10-12 minutes.

3. To make them extra-fancy, top with a dollop of whipped cream, sprig of mint and a bit of lemon zest. Dig in!

Pretty fancy, eh?

Pork Chops ala Roo

Last night Roo got to try out the Pork Chop Seasoning he picked out on our trip to Penzey's earlier this week. He handled the meat while Bean took over preparations for a Lemon-Feta Orzo Salad. All I needed to do was steam a little broccoli and dinner was done.

My little pork chop seasoning pork chops

Bean has mastered the Microplane

Sous chefs

Here's a glimpse at Roo's not-so-secret recipe.

Pork Chops ala Roo

8 boneless pork loin chops, 1 inch thick
3-4 Tbsp. Penzey's Pork Chop Seasoning, but be careful.  If you don't love salt as much as Roo does, decrease this to about 2 Tbsp. It is salty!)

Dump Pork Chop Seasoning in a clump on top of pork chops. Rub, scrub, wallow, and bathe the chops in seasoning on all sides until your mom say that's enough. Grill in a grill pan until done.

Bean's Lemon-Feta Orzo Salad

1 package whole wheat orzo
1 lemon (zest and juice)
1/2 Cup feta cheese, crumbled
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
2 Tbsp. Olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

1. Cook orzo according to package directions, drain, rinse in cold water, drain again and transfer to large bowl
2. Zest lemon, set aside the zest, and squeeze juice into a small bowl
3. Add olive oil to lemon juice and whisk together
4. Pour lemon-olive oil over orzo, add feta cheese, lemon zest, parsley, and mix. Season to taste with salt and pepper

Dinner is served!

Band of Pipers

We had quite a bit of leftover frosting from our spring cupcakes so I let the munchkins loose with piping bags on some wax paper.  Check out their handiwork. 

Looly's first rosettes!

Overall, not bad technique for their first try. Next time I'll test their skills on an actual cake.

We're back!

After a lengthy hiatus, Well Fed Garbage is back with a snazzy new look and a fresh approach to eating. 

While I will still be posting periodically with updates on Roo's health status, I'll be keeping the focus positive and exploring the many ways in which our family strives to make food choices, cooking, and eating an adventure for the whole family. 
 
Now let's play with our food!