Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with Pecan Streusel

January 29, 2014 by Christine Skari

There are some things I’ll just never be able to grasp. Like math. Or how the trashcan fills up so fast. Or where all my socks go. Or the difference between a sweet potato and a yam. Honestly, I think I’ve looked it up on Google at least 5 times in the past and 3 times today. That makes like a million different times and I still just don’t understand. Did I mention I can’t do math?

I do this for you guys.

To try to be political correct about potatoes (read: PCAP- it’s a thing) and not hurt you with my incorrect words on the internet machine. Some things, though, just don’t resonate with me and I can never, ever remember. And each time I go to the grocery store, I get even more mixed up. I used to think that sweet potatoes were orange (which I could have swore I read online), but then I went to my local Albertsons and they were listed as yams. There must be some sort of government conspiracy to try to confuse me. That must be where all of our tax dollars are going (!).

ANYWAYS. All I know for certain is that these taste good. Reeaaaal good. Like, pick one up with your hands and walk around your apartment eating them kinda good. They even come in their own little serving potato boat.

I mean, I don’t think you really could go wrong with the combination of flavors and ingredients that are going on in these ‘taters. You’ve got, of course, the sweet and vibrant sweet potatoes, creamy goat cheese, and a brown sugar pecan streusel that straddles the whole thing (did I really just use those two words together again?). Think a sweet potato casserole, but upped a notch by the flavor of the cheese and in their own adorable serving portion. It’s a sweet and salty combination made in heaven!

“Pin me, please!”- friendly potato infograph

With a name like Twice Baked Goat Cheese Sweet Potatoes with Pecan Streusel, how could you go wrong? Did I mention they’re also a relatively healthy and nutritious side dish?

What are you waiting for?! Stuff yo’ face!

Linking up with WIAW to help share these gems!

Mocha Avocado Truffles

January 23, 2014 by Christine Skari

So these:

But first, this:

I’ve been busy lately. The combination of studying, classes, exercising, making time for friends and Kyle, and balancing my blog don’t leave me with much time to spare. In fact, as I write this, I’m sitting in my college’s library taking a break from writing a tedious French essay. Now that I think about it, I should probably just live here since I already spend the majority of my free time sitting at a desk with a textbook and a latte. Woohoo! Don’t I sound like a regular party animal!

Anyways, while I am finding time to cook dinner most nights, it’s always a welcomed relief to have healthy and delicious snacks waiting for me when a craving strikes. Even better if they include chocolate, because chocolate makes everything better. True fact. Think about it. World hunger? Chocolate. Diseases and progress in science and technology? There’s a bizarre juxtaposition between a country’s chocolate consumption and the number of Nobel Peace Prize winners per its population density. Shoutout to my motherland, Norway! You go, Glenn Coco!

So that’s why I’m in love with my new version of my Dark Chocolate Avocado Truffles. Enter: Mocha Avocado Truffles! Not only do I get to eat a tasty truffle made with dark chocolate, but I also get my caffeine fix, which will lead me to be successful in life. Let me explain with this helpful diagram.

Absolutely foolproof.

But seriously, they taste just as rich and chocolate-y as truffles made with tons of sugar and heavy whipping cream. And, you can hardly taste the avocado, if at all- pinkie swearsies. I’ve tested them on at least 10 different people, and every single one of them is shocked when I tell them that they’re made primarily from an avocado. If you don’t believe me, go check out some of the reviews in the comments of my original version.

This is one of Kyle’s favorite recipes and he loves enjoying them with his morning coffee while immersed in a good book!

Skinny Salted Caramel Apple Crisps

January 21, 2014 by Christine Skari

When it comes to food, I usually have a pretty good sense of intuitive eating. All you can eat Korean barbecue? No problem. I eat till I’m full. Free pizza? If I’m not hungry, I don’t really care to have it. But, throw in anything that involves apples and brown sugar and I’m a sucker. Zero self-control. Like, I’ll eat apple pie till I’m sick and eventually have to ask Kyle to take it away from me.

What I’m trying to say here, if you haven’t already caught my drift, is that I have the self-control of a 4 year old when it comes to any type of apple dessert.

That’s why, these single serving Skinny Salted Caramel Apple Crisps are perfect for me! Well, they’re perfect for anyone who loves gooey homemade caramel blended perfectly with soft baked apples. Then you throw on a fabulous crumble made with golden raisins, pecans, and oats and you’re set! A fantastic dessert with only 235 calories and with its own built-in control system for those days when you think it best not to devour an entire pie singlehandedly.

One recipe makes two mouthwatering crisps total, so you can use it to earn brownie (err… apple crisp) points with a significant other, or you can stop kiddin’ yourself and just inhale the second one as well. You’ll have to guess at which option I’d go with.

Honestly, these crisps have everything you could possibly want in an apple dessert and are bursting with that sweet caramel flavor that’s accentuated even more by that small pinch of salt that makes them mhhmm mhmmm good.

And they’re easy to boot! Cut up yo’ apples, pour that sweet caramel over (don’t lick the spoon, you’ll burn off the top layer of your tastebuds… not that I would know), and straddle that streusel right up in there. Also, let’s pretend I didn’t just use those two words in a sentence together.

Then you get a scoop of vanilla ice cream that melts into the ramekin and makes you swoon. Honestly, why are there Hey Girl memes when skinny salted caramel apple crisps and vanilla ice cream exist in the world? Some things in life just don’t make sense.

Ahhh, that’s better.

Honey Orange Chicken Stir Fry

January 14, 2014 by Christine Skari

Some things are meant to be.

I’m talking Romeo and Juliet (minus the ya know, star-crossed lover death part), bacon and maple syrup, and Netflix and Saturday night kinda meant to be. No? Just me?

Well, anyways, here’s another combination to add to that list: sugar and soy sauce. Even better? Three different types of sweeteners: honey, orange juice, and brown sugar. Then you combine them with the salty goodness of the asian motherland. Are you drooling yet?

Well, if you aren’t yet, prepare to release the flood gates because your salivary glands will be letting loose digestive enzymes by the bucket full once you put that sweet and salty sauce on a mountain of crisp veggies and juicy chicken!

This stir fry is insanely delicious and is bursting with a sweet citrus flavor that’s emphasized by the saltiness of the soy sauce. Honestly, the glaze is lick-the-bowl good, and when it soaks into some rice, oh man, you better prepare yourself. Can you tell I’m a fan?

For me, it’s reminiscent of the orange chicken from Panda Express (yum), but minus all the saturated fat and calories that comes with takeout food.

Ready from start to finish in less than 20 minutes and with only 220 calories a serving, it makes the perfect healthy weeknight meal and is great for sneaking in veggies if you aren’t super keen to them or have a picky family to feed. Not to mention it’s extremely versatile and customizable! Round up a bunch of your favorite vegetables, toss them in a wok or pan, and you’re set to dig in! Yee-haw!

I’m linking up with What I Ate Wednesday to share this tasty dinner!

Deep Dish Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

December 27, 2013 by Christine Skari

The other day, I went to a cookie exchange at my friend Erin’s house. It’s been a tradition for a couple of years now, and I always look forward to seeing the friends I went to school with for 12 years before heading off to college. Not to mention it’s a mother-daughter event, so we all have a great time laughing at all their antics (too much wine) and grimacing when they unblushingly tell all of our embarrassing stories (again, I blame the wine).

Even though I’ve grown up with these girls, I can’t help but want to show off when it comes to bringing the most extravagant cookies and usually like to experiment with a few showcase cookies that can’t help but look and taste delicious!

Please pin the picture below if you’d like to pin this recipe! Thank you!

For me, life is all about balance and I truly believe that a completely healthy life depends on both your mental sanity and feeling good in your own skin. Yes, I exercise and eat healthy, but I have absolutely no desire to live a life that consists of restricting and overexercising in the name of your health. If I want to eat a cookie, I’m going to eat it. If I want to take a week off from the gym because I’m not feeling too well, I’m going to do so without any regret whatsoever. I know this sounds a little off tangent for a cookie post, but I sometime feel that “healthy living bloggers” get themselves stuck in a negative place when it comes to food and exercise and try to put forth a perfect picture of their life and body image. While Apple of My Eye usually concentrates on healthier recipes, I don’t want to restrict my site to any one genre. How boring would that be?

Anyways, I bring this up because this recipe has sugar. Lots of sugar. And butter. And caramel. And chocolate chips. Get the picture? It’s deliciously indulgent and the perfect recipe for any party where you really want to bring a dessert that has the “WOW” factor to it!

The cookie recipe I use is from Parents Need to Eat Too, and let me tell ya, it’s the best chocolate chip cookie recipe I’ve ever made. I think I’ve baked at least 30 batches of them over the last couple of years and others really just don’t match up to it. This is definitely one of Kyle’s favorite desserts as well! When they’re baked on a plain cookie sheet, they have a slightly crunchy exterior, but still maintain a softer inside. I can’t even explain them. Think joy and kittens and rainbows and Zac Efron all mixed into one cookie. Yup.

And these Deep Dish Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies? Think of everything I described above, but with a oozy-gooey caramel center surrounded by half-baked cookie dough and a more firm cookie crust. Unreal!

There’s one key rule when it comes to the these cookies, though. DON’T OVER BAKE.

I know it’s super tempting to look into the oven, see an underdone cookie, and set the timer for a few more minutes, but you need to resist. Seriously, apply that willpower of yours because these cookies are a million times better when they are soft in the middle and will finish baking outside of the oven as they cool.

And, without further ado, I present to you: Deep Dish Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Dig in!

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