Stuffed Apple-Cinnamon Rolls

These are also from Our Best Bites (I've been spending a lot of time trying recipes from that cookbook because they all look so good!) They weren't as sweet as I was expecting them to be and at first I was a tinsy bit disappointed. But then I decided I actually like them better that way. Especially after they cooled completely. They kind of remind me of apple pie. Mmmm.

Ingredients:
1 package refrigerated pizza dough or 1 recipe Breadstick dough

Filling:
2 cups shredded green apples (about 3 large apples)
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon -I really like cinnamon so I added a little more
1 tablespoon flour

Topping:
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Glaze (which I think adds a necessary amount of sugar):
6 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
1-2 teaspoons milk

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to temperature specified on pizza dough.
2. Spray a pie plate or similar dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll the pizza dough into a rectangle approximately 12 x 18 inches. Using a pizza cutter, cut dough into 3-inch squares.
4. In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Divide evenly by putting a spoonful on each square of pizza dough. Use your fingers to close each square of dough, wrapping dough around filling and pinching to seal shut forming a round ball. Place balls seam-side down in pie plate.
5. Combine the topping ingredients and sprinkle on top of the dough. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes.
6. While the rolls are cooling, whisk the glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle on top of the rolls and serve.

Serves 8-10

Baked Chicken-Bacon Alfredo

I've been kind of MIA. I guess I haven't been super motivated to update this but I have definitely been trying new things. I got an awesome cookbook for mother's day. It's called Our Best Bites by Sara Wells and Kate Jones. Some of you have probably heard of it and some of you might own it. It's a great cookbook and I highly recommend it. It's filled with quick and delicious meals, sides, and desserts. Plus, some great tutorials.

Ingredients:

8 ounces penne or bowtie pasta -I used the mini penne b/c I don't like a huge mouthful of pasta in each bite.

1 recipe Guiltless Alfredo Sauce -there is a link to it in the recipe on the website

2 chicken breasts, grilled and chopped (about 2 cups chopped chicken) -we don't have a grill so I just cooked the chicken breasts in the pan I used to cook the bacon. Yum!

6 ounces (1/2 package) cooked bacon, chopped

1 (14-ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1/2 cup chopped green onions (about 1 decent-sized bunch)

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Salt and pepper, to taste

Full Recipe

Serves 8

I followed this recipe exactly (except that I halved it b/c there's no way the two of us would be able to eat all that pasta...) and I loved it. The "Guiltless Alfredo Sauce" makes me feel better about eating chicken Alfredo. And there's not that much bacon in it....but who am I kidding? I'd probably eat it anyway! This dish is creamy and smokey and delicious. AND it's a quick and easy recipe.

50 Panini

These two paninis are from an insert I got from Food Network Magazine. Here is a link to all 50 "recipes". Some of them sounds really yummy. I have tried the Steak-Gruyère, Bacon-Date (both in this post), and the Italian Melt. All three are very different and very tasty.

Steak-Gruyère:
Mix equal parts mayonnaise and horseradish. Stir in some chopped parsley. Spread on the inside of a split piece of baguette. Fill with thinly sliced cooked steak and sliced gruyère. Press and cook until golden.

I cooked my steak to about medium or medium-rare because I like it that way. The meat is more tender that way, but cook it how you like it. I think I had just over half a pound of steak and that made two sandwiches. The horseradish is a nice touch so don't be afraid of it. Just add less if you don't want too much kick.

Bacon-Date:
Brush the inside of a split French roll with olive oil and spread with soft goat cheese. Fill with chopped dates and crisp bacon. Press and cook until golden.

This is not what most people think of when they think of paninis. It's very different but I liked it. Then again, I like to try "different" food.
The dates definitely add some sweetness to the sandwich so don't put a lot on if you're concerned about that (oh, and don't use the chopped, sugar coated dates you find in the baking isle; try and find whole, pitted dates). The bacon is, of course, delicious and the goat cheese is creamy and tangy and balances everything.


Even if you are not interested in these two paninis at least I've given you a resource for 48 other ideas that are fast and perfect for dinner for two! Enjoy!