Apple Pecan Snack Cake

“What could be more important than a little something to eat?”   ~ Winnie the Pooh

Apple Picking with Eli – October 2, 2016

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One of my favorite things about having The Veggies are emails from readers.  Those who, in some small way, have found a bit of inspiration.

True confessions?  As with life, I've learned the most about cooking, when I've completely messed things up.

In fact, just last week, while attempting to salt a colorful pan of to-be-roasted veggies, the lid came off.  We were fishing Himalayan grains out of our toes for days

Then there was the casserole forgotten in the oven. “This is perfect(!)  I'll take the puppies around the block while it's baking.”  Once I'd hosed them off after a mud-wrestling match, and heard all about our neighbor's vacation, I walked in and thought

“Oh no, let's open some windows.”

Therefore it's been nice to focus my attention on this short series about snacking.  Most of the things we snack on don't have a recipe are quick and easy to prepare.

In Part I –  a few things to keep in mind when you're at the grocery, wandering up one aisle and down the next

Today's installment includes some of our go-to's.  My sincerest hope is they'll have you thinking beyond the usual (or maybe your usual with a few additions)

Raw fruits and veggies – Fruit comes pre-packed by nature.  Veggies are convenient and filling (because of their high fiber content), are easy to digest, and lower in calories.

Dipping ideas?  Hummus (homemade or store-bought), or fruit dip made with yogurt + nut butter.  It's also easy to make your own veggie dip by adding fresh herbs (think dill, parsley or basil), lemon juice to yogurt.  Don't forget dressings; there are some great ones out there made from whole foods such as Cindy's Kitchen or Amy's Naturals

Veggie Tostada – It's hard to go wrong with black beans + veggies.

Hard-boiled eggs – Either on their own, or made into deviled eggs  (greek yogurt instead of mayo)

Energy Bites – Peanut Butter Protein Balls and Cacao Maca Energy Bites

Salsa – (homemade is best) with Organic blue corn tortilla chips, fresh veggie sticks, or crackers such as Mary's Gone Crackers

Half an avocado – on toast (with bread such as Udi's Millet + Chia or Food For Life), or with 1/2 cup cottage cheese

Popcorn – Preferably the kind made on the stove-top with coconut oil, and lightly salted (or unsalted).  An entire cup is a serving, so it's one you can enjoy and feel satisfied longer.  Sprinkle with nutritional yeast for a cheesy taste

Sprouted corn tortilla wrap with –  Banana + nut butter, or turkey slices + 1/4 avocado, or toasted with 1/2 avocado + lettuce + tomato

Cottage cheese .. with 1/2 cup pineapple chunks, or with a dash of cinnamon, or simply on its own  (note:  cottage cheese tends to be high in sodium) 

“Lift me up Pappa – see the one wayyyy up there?”

Strawberries (halved) + soft goat cheese

Chia pudding

Coconut chips

Stuffed Dates

String cheese, either with apple slices or 1/4 cup marinara sauce

Tuna + crackers

Roasted chickpeas

Nori or Sea Snax

Tea Bags  (for when you're not hungry, but want something comforting)

Often times the best (and most balanced) snacks are those that started as full meals.  A few ideas?

Half of a sandwich or a plate of leftovers from the night before.

A chicken + veggie pita made in the am can be split in half for a couple of snacks throughout the day.

The Freezer is your friend

“If it's frozen they last longer in your mouth and it takes longer for them to defrost, so the flavor lasts longer.  It's an easier way to eat it, and you don't need quite so much”  ~ Giada 

Banana soft-serve ice cream

Frozen grapes – eat them while they're still icy (they taste like sorbet bites)

Banana + Nut Butter – wrapped in plastic and frozen for a few hours

Fruit pops – Fruit pureed in a blender, frozen into an ice-cube tray, with a wooden stick in the middle

Sugar-free chocolate chips, or some really great dark chocolate (a small square is surprisingly satisfying)

Apple Picking with Eli

Ideas for Kids

Have some fun(!)  Cut, slice, and style fruits and veggies on their plate in a way that will make them smile.  Better yet .. let them help

Classic “Ants on a Log” – Nut butter spread onto a celery stick and topped with raisins

“Finger fruits” like grapes, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, and cherry tomatoes, arranged into smiley faces on their plate

Dried fruits (without added sugar) – For example banana chips or dried apple rings

Dehydrated fruit leather

Homemade apple sauce

Smoothies – A great idea no matter your age(!)   When it comes to kids, they're an easy way to sneak in veggies, and it's fun to name them.  The Hulk .. The Superman .. Berry Blast .. Pink Princess, etc

Next time, tips for snacking when you're away from home

I wuv you too Sweetie .. so very very much

This past weekend an apple-picking date with my oldest grandson, Eli.

The day picture-perfect as we wandered up and down the rows looking for just the right ones. “Green Grandma, green is the best” .. “Does Z eat apples?” .. “Why not?” .. “What if I have to go potty?” .. “Papa, can we stop for pink ice cream?”

Fall is the best time of year for a simple yet delicious apple snack cake.

As readers of the site will attest, I'm not one for cakes that are fussy or pretentious.  A buttermilk base, kiss of lemon, and just enough salt to keep things sophisticated, make this a go-to seasonal recipe.

The kind of cake you can throw together on the fly using whatever berries or fruit are in season.

The whole wheat pastry flour delivers a pretty cake with a delicate crumb.  Buttermilk lends plenty of richness and flavor, which lets me use a fraction of the butter and sugar you'll find in many cakes

One of the hallmarks of the cake is the big sugar crystals strewn across the top, which get nice and crusty in the oven.  The cake itself isn't particularly sweet, the sweetness from the apples lets one keep the sugar elsewhere in the batter to a minimum

Enjoy!

xoxo

~ Adapted from The New York Times