{football friday} caramel apple-pecan bars

I know for folks who aren't used to being "that girl" (or guy) who brings the "healthy stuff" for tailgating, taking that first step can seem daunting. I mean really... who wants to be the buzz-kill at the game showing up with the wilted veggie tray and fat-free ranch dip?

Not me.

If you didn't immediately whip up a batch of last week's Smoky Sweet Potato Dip, shame on you... but I understand. You need a gentle step forward.

How about dessert? Or for those early morning games, something a little sweet to balance out your bloody mary :)

These Caramel Apple-Pecan Bars

are an ideal choice for the reluctant healthy tailgater. They're a cross between a coffee cake & a bar cookie... two phrases that make me smile, especially when shared in a sentence.

First up, they're sweet... which by itself means they're likely going to be a fan favorite. But they're made with dried apples + 100% whole wheat flour (hello healthy fiber) and topped with pecans (yummy, healthy nut).

I also used Greek-style yogurt in place of some of the butter in the original recipe to trim a little bit of the overall saturated fat as well. I got the idea from my friends over at Cabot Creamery, who recently developed this handy substitution chart for their Greek-style yogurt. I love it because you can use Greek-style yogurt in place of higher fat ingredients; same taste & texture, fewer calories and more protein. [As most of you know, Cabot is a client of mine... they didn't ask me to share this with you, but I couldn't resist. I think it's too darn cool.]

Anyway, back to the bars. Let's be clear on one thing, these aren't short on sugar. And sugar is sugar. It tastes great. But it's nothing but empty calories. Having a 100% whole wheat fruit filled bar cookie doesn't necessarily mean you can eat the whole pan. But I can promise it's a better choice than that box of store-brought brownies your friend picked up at Kroger on her way to the game. I say those are the real buzz kill :)

Happy tailgating!

Caramel Apple-Pecan Bars
by Regan @ The Professional Palate

Adapted from MyRecipes.com

6032155

Ingredients (12 bars)

• 1/4 cup butter, softened


• 2 tablespoons plain Greek-style yogurt (I used Cabot)


• 1 cup sugar


• 3 eggs, beaten


• 1 cup white whole wheat flour (I used King Arthur Flour)


• 1 teaspoon baking powder


• 1/2 teaspoon salt


• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon


• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg


• 2 cups sliced, dried apples, chopped


• 1/2 cup pecans halves, chopped


• 1/4 cup homemade Caramel Sauce or store-bought caramel

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 8- x 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Cream butter and Greek-style yogurt in a large mixing bowl; gradually add 1 cup sugar, beating well. Add eggs, and beat well. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and spices in a small mixing bowl; gradually add to creamed mixture, stirring well. Stir in apples.

Spoon mixture into prepared dish. Top with pecans. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center of bars comes out clean. Let cool. Drizzle with caramel and cut into bars.

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updates from healthy aperture & a recipe for chipotle cheddar biscuits

Today's post is an exercise in opposites. 

Up first, Healthy Aperture.

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Baked Cherry French Toast

Forgive the picture

I don't normally post recipes to the blog that I've only had a chance to shoot with Instagram. I love Instagram, but the filters hardly do the food justice.

But today has been beyond dismal in terms of rain, and I never saw a good chance to shoot this. And since I plan to enjoy what remains of the dish as tomorrow's breakfast, I thought I should go ahead share.

A couple of notes: this recipe is based off of this recipe from Cooking Light. If you don't have fresh cherries on hand or are looking for a citrus twist, give it a try. I feel certain you could also try out a different preserve from the strawberry I used and maybe even some different fresh berries.

Are you on Instagram? If so, follow me. I'd love to connect with you there.

Baked Cherry French Toast

by Regan @ The Professional Palate

6030555

Ingredients (6 to 8 servings)

• 1 (12-ounce) sourdough French bread loaf, cut into 12 slices
• 1/2 cup strawberry preserves
• 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted
• 2 cups 1% low-fat milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon Turbinado sugar

Instructions

Arrange 6 bread slices in a single layer in a 2-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray.

Combine preserves and fresh cherries. Spoon evenly over bread; top with remaining bread slices.

Combine milk, eggs, sugar and vanilla, stirring with a whisk. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Sprinkle casserole with Turbinado sugar. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until golden. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

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Whole Grain "a Go-Go"

I can totally relate to this post on Simple Bites.

Mornings around my house are always a mad dash - preschool, summer camp or wherever we are headed for the day.

That's why the idea of grab-n-go foods is appealing. Don't get me wrong... I welcome a sit down meal with the family any time we can, but the first foods of the day don't always lend themselves to that plan.

The problem with so many "breakfast" bars, cereal bars, whatever you want to call them is that they're high on sugar and low on fiber.

USDA details the benefits of fiber on MyPyramid.gov. In case you're not inclined to make the jump, here's a snip-it of what they have to say:

Why is it important to eat grains, especially whole grains?

Eating grains, especially whole grains, provides health benefits. People who eat whole grains as part of a healthy diet have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Grains provide many nutrients that are vital for the health and maintenance of our bodies.

Health benefits

• Consuming foods rich in fiber, such as whole grains, as part of a healthy diet, reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.
• Consuming foods rich in fiber, such as whole grains, as part of a healthy diet, may reduce constipation. 
• Eating at least 3 ounce equivalents a day of whole grains may help with weight management.
• Eating grains fortified with folate before and during pregnancy helps prevent neural tube defects during fetal development.
• Click here for more information about preventing cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer.

I don't know about you, but for me... those are pretty good reasons to fill your diet with a little more fiber. And if you can do it with a homemade, less processed treat that tastes as good as it looks, I say "go" for it.

~Regan

P.S. If you've been following my chronicle of house woes, let me share that it looks like we WILL be closing on our new home (read: my new kitchen) a week from today. Hip, hip, hooray (and *fingers crossed*)

http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/grains_why_print.html