Apple Brownies

adapted from Vitamin G blog (Click here to see original recipe with photos)

Serves 12 @ 169 cal, 5.4 fat and 1.6 fiber

• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 t. baking powder
• 1/4 t. salt
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1 t. cinnamon
• 1 cup apples, chopped fine
• 1/2 cup craisins

Cream butter, applesauce and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Add flour, baking powder, and salt and cinnamon; stir well. Stir in apples, nuts, and craisins. Bake in a greased and floured 9 x 9 pan at 350° F. for 35-40 minutes.

My Review: Yum - these were DELICIOUS, especially when warm!

Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti

from Weight Watchers message boards

Serves 12 ( one cup each)

• 16 oz. dry spaghetti, cooked
• 1 lb. Velveeta Light (2%)Cheese
• 12.5 oz can chicken breast, drained & flaked
• 1 can 98% FF cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can 98% FF cream of chicken soup
• 10 oz. can diced tomatoes & green chilies (Rotel)
• 4 oz can mushroom stems & pieces, drained
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 small onion, diced - didn't have so I substituted with peas...I'm not sure why.
• 1 med. green pepper, diced
• salt & pepper to taste

Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and stir to mix well. Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours. Stir again just before serving.

My Review: For years, I've been hearing rave reviews about this recipe. I was so excited to try it and so disappointed in the results. It was just meh. Personally, I found it a little too cheesy and it didn't have much flavor. Sadly, it makes a ton so I was stuck with lots and lots of leftovers. It actually might make a good dip for tortilla chips or vegetables. You could omit the water to make it a little thicker.

Nectarine and Goat Cheese Salad

From For the Love of Cooking (click here to see the official recipe with photos)

• Fresh lettuce (whatever kind you like)
• 1 nectarine, sliced thinly
• 1-2 T goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 handful of grape tomatoes, halved (I left these out)
• 1/2 cucumber, seeded & sliced (I left this out)
• 4 leaves of fresh basil, chopped (I left this out)
• 1-2 tbsp of craisins
• 1-2 tbsp of sunflower seeds
• 1/4 sweet yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup croutons
• Balsamic vinaigrette (I just used Italian)

Combine all ingredients, toss & serve. Enjoy.

Review: This salad was yummy - Simon declared it the best salad ever!