Peanut Butter Macaroons

Recipe from Family Circle's Healthy Home-Style Cooking

ingredients:

• 2 egg whites
• 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
• dash of salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 cups chocolate flavoured crisp rice cereal (cocoa rice krispies)
• 1/3 cup chopped honey-roasted peanuts

preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 300. Lightly grease two cookie sheets or line with parchment paper; set aside.

2. In a medium mixing bowl beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt with an electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form (tips curl). Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Gently fold in peanut butter. Fold in cereal. Drop mixture by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts.

3. Bake for 10 minutes. Turn oven off and let cookies stand in oven with door closed for 15 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and let cool.

notes to self:

-some of the chopped peanuts could be added to the mixture

-egg white mixture beaten for a good 10-15 minutes before it was the right consistency

- 57 calories; 3g of fat (1g saturated); 2g protein; 7g carbohydrate; 0g fiber; 50mg sodium; 0mg cholesterol

Apple Blueberry Crisp

Original recipe qty's adjusted for 8x12 baking dish.

Preheat oven to 350.

ingredients:

• 6 cups peeled & sliced apples
• 1 container of blueberries
• 3 tbl flour
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• 3/4 cup brown sugar

topping:

• 3/4 cup flour
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans
• 3/4 cup melted butter
• 3/8ths cup brown sugar
• 2 cups uncooked quick oatmeal

preparation:

1. In large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Toss the sliced apples until well coated. Also toss 3/4 of the container of blueberries (save 1/4 for the topping).

2. Add to 8x12 baking pan (sprayed with non stick cooking spray).

3. In a medium bowl, mix oatmeal with 3/4 cup flour, 3/8 cup brown sugar and pecans. Drizzle with melted butter and mix thoroughly.

4. Gently and evenly drop topping over apple and blueberry mixture.

5. Add remaining blueberries, gently push into the top of the crumble.

6. Bake for 45 minutes (check at 35) at 350. Mixture should be browning.

7. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

notes to self:

-substituted walnuts for pecans but either could be used

-checked at 35 minutes and was ready

-royal gala apples were a perfect balance of sweet & tart

-could be easily modified with other fruits/berries/nuts

-super easy and quick