The Modern Pilgrim :: Crock Pot Cinnamon Vanilla Applesauce

Not only does this recipe taste amazing but it will also make your house smell amazing!

Ingredients:

• 8 medium sized granny smith apples, peeled
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tsp vanilla (avoid HFCS)
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 2 Tbsp real maple syrup
• 1 tsp Ideal Brown Sugar Baking Blend

Directions:

1. Peel apples and cut into quarters (core the apples as well).  Place in crock pot.

2. Add all remaining ingredients and stir lightly (just enough to mix ingredients).

3. Cook on low for 2 hrs.

4. Raise temperature and cook on high for 1.5 hrs.

5. Stir, slightly mashing any remaining apple chunks.

6. Enjoy!

He & She Tips: Here is another variation of this recipe. You can sub out the sweetener. Try Maple Sugar Flakes. 

This is perfect to go along with your Apple Pie!

Enjoy our recipes?  Get help with your grocery shopping here.

- Whitney

Chicken Chili

Try this delicious chili recipe on these cool fall days!

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground chicken breast
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1Tbsp minced garlic
• 2-4 oz cans of diced green chilies
• 1-15 oz can of black beans (drain)
• 1-15 oz can of kidney beans (drain)
• 2-14.5 oz cans of diced tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp Xylitol brown sugar blend
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tbsp spicy mustard
• 1 Tbsp regular mustard
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• Optional Toppings: cilantro, green onion, cottage cheese

Directions:

1. Brown meat with onions and garlic in a large pot.  Cook until no longer pink.
2. Place meat in crock pot. Add the remaining ingredients. Stir until combined.
3. Place on "low heat" for desired time (we prefer around 2 hours since the meat is already cooked).

He & She Tip: You can also make this without a crock pot.  To make without a crock pot you would still brown the meat in a large pan and then add the remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. 

Makes approximately 6 servings.

Macros:

• Calories - 196
• Protein - 24 g
• Fats - 1 g
• Carbs - 20 g

Here is a Low Carb version of Chicken Chili.

Enjoy our recipes?  Get help with your grocery shopping here.

- Whitney

Recipe adapted from Jamie Eason's 3-Bean Turkey Chili.

"Italian Stallion" Crock Pot Chicken

Have you tried our Salsa Chicken?  This recipe is just as easy but a few ingredients are changed/added to give it an Italian flair, which is why I named it after one of my favorite movie characters, Rocky Balboa (aka THE ITALIAN STALLION!).  You can add some extra pasta sauce, sliced veggies, and/or quinoa pasta noodles to have a deliciously healthy spaghetti dinner ready in minutes!

Ingredients:

• 3-4 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 5 medium tomatoes
• 3/4 cup chopped onion (we use Vidalia/Sweet)
• 3 Tbsp minced garlic
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp honey

Dry Ingredients/Spices:

• 1 Tbsp basil
• 1 Tbsp thyme
• 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes
• 1 Tbsp oregano
• 1 tsp rosemary
• 1 tsp parsley
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp bay leaves

Directions:

1.  Mix all ingredients (not including the chicken breasts) together in a blender/food processor (must hold at least 5 cups - we use a Vitamix) and blend for about 30 seconds until ingredients are mixed well.

2.  Place blended pasta sauce in sauce pan and simmer on low/medium heat for about 10-15 minutes until sauce takes on a thicker consistency and a dark shade of red.

3.  Mix chicken breasts and pasta sauce in crock pot and cook on low heat for at least 7 hours.

4.  After 7 hours, you will notice the sauce looks very runny, this is normal.  Remove crock pot from heating base, shred chicken with a wooden spoon or spatula and as it cools, the shredded chicken will absorb the juices from the pasta sauce.

Macros (based on a 6 oz serving):

• Calories: 160
• Fat: 2g
• Carbs: 2g
• Protein: 36g

He & She Tips: We like to make our own pasta sauce at home so that we can avoid the added sugars and other unwanted ingredients.  You can use the store-bought pasta sauce but try to avoid the brands with a lot of added sugar, preservatives, etc.  Muir Glen is usually a pretty good choice if your store carries it. You can simplify this recipe by adding 3-4 Tbsp of Italian seasoning rather most of the individual spices listed above.

Enjoy our recipes?  Get help with your grocery shopping here.

- Scott