Recipe: Baked Apple

🍎 This one is ALWAYS a winner! It also makes a yummy breakfast, snack, or dessert.

💪TIP: Boost the protein in this recipe by stirring ½ to 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder into the topping.

Makes 1 serving.

Ingredients:

• 1 apple

• ¼ cup rolled oats 

• 1 tsp coconut sugar

• Pinch of ground cinnamon

• ½ Tbsp grass-fed butter or coconut oil

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF/175ºC. Wash your apple and dry it well, and core it by cutting a large well in the center. Place on a rimmed baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper.

2. In a small bowl, stir together the oats, sugar, and cinnamon, and work in the butter or coconut oil using a fork or your hands – it should reach a crumbly consistency. 

3. Spoon into the center of the apple. Place in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, until the apple is tender and the filling bubbles. Let cool slightly before eating. Enjoy!

Recipe by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by Mykola Lunov 

Recipe: Cranberry Apple Crisp

Who doesn’t love a delicious fruit crisp for dessert? 

This holiday-inspired cranberry-apple crisp takes just a few minutes to make… and it’s sure to be a hit.

Serves 8.

Filling Ingredients:

• 3 large apples, peeled, cored and chopped

• 2 cups (220 g) cranberries fresh or frozen

• Juice of ½ orange

• ½ cup (95 g) coconut sugar

• 1 tsp cinnamon

Crisp Topping Ingredients:

• 1 cup (120 g) chopped pecans

• 1 cup (80 g) rolled oats (gluten-free, optional)

• ¼ cup (54 g) grass-fed butter, cut into small cubes

• 2 Tbsp maple syrup or honey

• ¼ tsp sea salt

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F / 190°C and grease the inside of a 9x9 inch (23x23 cm) baking dish with coconut oil or butter.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the apples, cranberries, orange juice, sugar, and cinnamon. Toss until the apples and cranberries are well coated and pour the contents into the baking dish.

3. In another bowl, combine the pecans, oats, butter, maple syrup and sea salt and work together until it forms a crumbly topping. Sprinkle over the apples and cranberries, and place the baking dish into the oven. Bake for 45 - 50 minutes, until the mixture is bubbling and the top is brown.

4. Remove from the oven and let sit for at least 10 - 15 minutes before serving.

Recipe by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by rudisilll from Getty Images Signature

Recipe: Warm Apple Salad

Enjoy this as a side dish. It also makes a delicious breakfast if you add organic chicken sausage (one 10 oz. package).

Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients:

• 4 to 5 cups loosely packed spinach or spring mix salad blend

• 1 lemon, zested and juiced (separated)

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• Sea salt to taste

• ¼ cup onion, chopped

• 4 apples, sliced

• ½ cup toasted pumpkin seeds

• (optional: ½ cup crumbled goat cheese)

Directions:

1. Wash the greens and place in a large bowl.

2. In a small bowl, whisk the garlic into the lemon juice. Stir in the sea salt and lemon zest. Whisk in the olive oil until it’s emulsified into a vinaigrette.

3. Pour half the dressing over the spinach and toss well.

4. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and add in the onion, cooking until translucent and slightly caramelized, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add in the apples, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Toss in the pumpkin seeds to warm.

5. Add the onion-apple-pumpkin seed mixture to the spinach. Add the rest of the vinaigrette and more salt if desired. If using, sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese over the top. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe by: Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by Olena Rudo