Happy Mother's Day: Apple Rose Tart

Happy Mother's Day! We had an absolutely amazing day spent with the family after my baking spree this weekend. This dessert was SO easy to make and looked GORGEOUS.

Ingredients
1 pkg of cinnamon rolls (or use your own homemade recipe)
2 apples slices in half and then in 1/8-1/4 inch pieces
3 tbsp melted butter
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon (optional but I thought it needed a bit more)
icing for topping (optional: we topped half of this with icing and left the rest alone and it was great either way)
muffin tin or round baking pan

1. Unroll cinnamon rolls into a loose spiral. Note: I did this in a round baking pan but it was hard to cut and stay in one piece so it might work better in a muffin tin
2. Place apples, butter, brown sugar, and optional cinnamon in microwave safe dish and heat for 3 minutes OR heat on stovetop until apple slices are pliable enough to roll together.
3. Make the center of your "rose" by rolling 4 slices of apples together and place in center of cinnamon roll. Slide remaining apple slices between the layers and tighten as you work from the center outward.
4. Pour or brush the remaining butter/brown sugar/cinnamon mix on top 
5. Bake at 375F for 25 minutes and after cooling top with icing if you'd like

Dragon Fruit Challenge

I put my kids to the test... I picked a random fruit they had never tried and brought it home for them to taste test. Dragon fruit it's an exotic fruit that looks amazing from the outside in a bright magenta pink with green accents with a inside white center studded with black seeds. The fruit doesn't have much flavor but the unique coloring made for a fun challenge.

Their take: kid approved, toddler approved

Gluten free egg free dairy free banana bread

We all know food allergies can make baking difficult and tasty recipes are hard to come by. This recipe is amazing in the fact that it is so flexible you can make it all the way gluten free, egg free, and dairy free or you can pick and choose! It still tastes amazing b and isn't too sweet so it's great for snacks, breakfast, or even a flavorful bread for sandwiches.

To make Gluten Free: Use Oatmeal ground in a food processor until smooth in a flour consistency

To make Egg Free: use 1/4 cup applesauce in place of 1 egg

To make Dairy Free: Use oil such as olive or avocado or coconut in place of butter

Try Something New Challenge: Dragon Fruit

I challenged Camryn to try something new today. I brought home a dragon fruit for her to try and tell us what it tasted like and whether she would recommend it for someone else to try. Here's what happened...

Cranberry Mandarin Orange Bread

Here's the Live Video Featuring Dr. Schnowske and Camryn

Ingredients:
2 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp melted butter
1 egg
1 1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2/3 cup Mandarin oranges

Mix it all up and pour in a greased loaf pan.

Bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

Here's the finished loaf and some taste testing!

Pineapple Pork Ribs in my Pressure Cooker: Easy and Quick Dinner Recipe for a Busy Mom

Ingredients:

4 Pork Chops or 1-2 lbs Country Style Boneless Pork Ribs
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup pineapple juice with pineapple chunks
2 tbsp soy sauce

Bella Pressure Cooker
Manual setting with pressure
25 minutes and then quick release

Comment below what you thought of this recipe!

Make Your Own Asian Orange Ginger Vinaigrette

Photo: William Dickey; Styling Rose Nguyen

Most store bought salad dressings are dripping in chemicals and stabilizers that KILL the flavor of the dressing and let it survive months or even years in  your fridge. When it comes to salad dressings, I find that simple is always better and because no one likes the same old dressing over and over again switching up the flavors is also essential. I personally prefer to switch flavors with the season and the fruit or veggies that are in season as well.

Fruits that are in season in the late winter months include primarily citrus fruits and dates. I've combined that most basic ingredients that you can keep in your pantry and have on hand when the need arises for some flavor in your salad. Follow the recipe below for a citrus packed dressing with a hint of  honey for a great boost of ginger for your immune system.


Asian Orange Ginger Vinaigrette


Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp rice vinegar (unseasoned or seasoned is best)
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp orange zest
• juice from 1/2 large orange (or other citrus fruit)
• 1 tsp grated ginger (you don't need to peel unless brown skin is thick or dry)
• 1/4 cup oil (olive oil is strong in flavor but try grapeseed or rice oil for a lighter flavor)
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1) Whisk the ingredients together.
2) Layer over fresh veggies or a salad.

Salad idea pictured above: Layer mixed salad greens with sesame crisps, grilled chicken, and fresh mandarin oranges and then top with your homemade salad dressing!

YUM!!