Cook Without Book

                         Ingredients Lemon rind strips (from 1 lemon) 1 tablespoon   fresh lemon juice 1  gallon apple cider 2 tablespoons   light brown sugar 20  whole cloves 5  (3-inch) cinnamon sticks, halved 1/8 teaspoon   ground allspice 1/8 teaspoon   ground nutmeg 1/2 cup   Calvados (apple brandy) or applejack (such as Laird's) Additional cinnamon sticks (optional) Preparation 1. Bring first 8 ingredients to a boil in a large Dutch oven. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes. 2. Pour mixture through a sieve over a large bowl, reserving liquid; discard solids. Stir in brandy. Serve in mugs; garnish with additional cinnamon sticks, if desired. Nutritional Information Calories per serving: 173 Fat per serving: 0.0g Saturated fat per serving: 0.0g Monounsaturated fat per serving: 0.0g Polyunsaturated fat per serving: 0.0g Protein per serving: 0.0g Carboh...

                Ingredients 3/4 cup   (6 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese 1/2 cup   packed brown sugar 1/2 cup   canned pumpkin 2 teaspoons   maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon   ground cinnamon 24  apple slices Preparation Place first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add syrup and cinnamon, and beat until smooth. Cover and chill 30 minutes. Serve with apple. Nutritional Information Calories per serving: 107 Calories from fat: 27% Fat per serving: 3.2g Saturated fat per serving: 2g Monounsaturated fat per serving: 0.9g Polyunsaturated fat per serving: 0.1g Protein per serving: 2g Carbohydrates per serving: 18.3g Fiber per serving: 1.4g Cholesterol per serving: 10mg Iron per serving: 1mg Sodium per serving: 87mg Calcium per serving: 35mg

                        Ingredients 1 cup   granulated sugar 1 cup   packed brown sugar 1 cup   evaporated fat-free milk 2 1/2 tablespoons   butter 2 tablespoons   light-colored corn syrup 1/8 teaspoon   salt 1/2 cup   natural-style peanut butter 1 teaspoon   vanilla extract Cooking spray 2 tablespoons   semisweet mini chocolate chips Preparation Combine first 6 ingredients (sugar through salt) in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook 10 minutes or until a candy thermometer registers 234°, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Add peanut butter and vanilla; stir until peanut butter melts. Pour mixture into an 8-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Cool for 1 hour. Cut into squares. Serving size: 1 piece. Nutritional Information Calories per serving: 128 Calories from fat: 28% Fat per servi...

Ingredients : 1 stick of butter (8 tablespoons), softened 1 cup coconut flour 1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 tsp salt 2 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 cup dried cherries 1/2 cup dark chocolate morsels Directions : Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well until batter is blended evenly. Roll batter into 1-inch balls and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake cookies for approximately 15-17 minutes until the tops start to lightly brown. Remove cookies from baking sheet and allow to cool on wire rack. Eat and enjoy! Makes 24 cookies 

Prep Time:  15 minutes Cook Time:  5 hours Yield:  Yield: 16 sandwiches (serving size: 1/3 cup meat, 1/4 cup slaw, 1 bun)              Ingredients 2 tablespoons   smoked sweet paprika 1 tablespoon   dry mustard 3 tablespoons   packed dark brown sugar Salt and pepper 8  bone-in chicken thighs (about 3 lb. total), skin removed 3/4 cup   cider vinegar 1/2 cup   ketchup 1/4 teaspoon   cayenne 4 cups   finely sliced red cabbage 16  whole-wheat hamburger buns, lightly toasted Preparation 1. In a bowl, mix paprika, mustard, 2 Tbsp. brown sugar and 1 tsp. each salt and pepper. Add chicken and rub with spices to coat. Transfer to a slow cooker or cover and chill up to 8 hours to marinate. 2. In a medium bowl, whisk vinegar, ketchup, cayenne, remaining brown sugar and 1 tsp. each salt and pepper. Reserve 1/4 cup; cover and chill. Pour remaining sauce over chicken. Cover and ...

Yield:  Makes 4 servings (serving size: 1/2 cup)                   Ingredients 1 pound   sweet cherries, pitted (about 3 cups), preferably Bing 2 tablespoons   light brown sugar 2 teaspoons   balsamic vinegar 1/4 teaspoon   minced fresh thyme 4 ounces   goat cheese Preparation 1. Cook cherries and sugar over medium-high heat in a skillet, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle in vinegar and thyme; cook 1 minute. Slice goat cheese into 4 rounds; top with warm compote, or refrigerate compote, covered, up to 3 days. Nutritional Information Calories per serving: 168 Fat per serving: 6g Saturated fat per serving: 4g Monounsaturated fat per serving: 1g Polyunsaturated fat per serving: 0.0g Protein per serving: 6g Carbohydrates per serving: 24g Fiber per serving: 2g Cholesterol per serving: 13mg Iron per serving: 1mg Sodium per serving: 108mg Calcium per serving: 60mg

Yield:  About 13 cups (serving size: 1 cup)                    Ingredients Lemon rind strips (from 1 lemon) 1 tablespoon   fresh lemon juice 1  gallon apple cider 2 tablespoons   light brown sugar 20  whole cloves 5  (3-inch) cinnamon sticks, halved 1/8 teaspoon   ground allspice 1/8 teaspoon   ground nutmeg 1/2 cup   Calvados (apple brandy) or applejack (such as Laird's) Additional cinnamon sticks (optional) Preparation 1. Bring first 8 ingredients to a boil in a large Dutch oven. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes. 2. Pour mixture through a sieve over a large bowl, reserving liquid; discard solids. Stir in brandy. Serve in mugs; garnish with additional cinnamon sticks, if desired. Nutritional Information Calories per serving: 173 Fat per serving: 0.0g Saturated fat per serving: 0.0g Monounsaturated fat per serving: 0.0g Polyunsaturated fat per serving: 0.0g Pr...

Yield:  Makes: 8 scones (serving size: 1 scone)                Ingredients 1/2 cup   quick-cooking oats 1 cup   whole-wheat flour 1 cup   all-purpose white flour 1/4 cup   dark brown sugar, firmly packed 1/4 teaspoon   salt 1/2 teaspoon   ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon   ground nutmeg 1 tablespoon   baking powder 3/4 cup   unsweetened, dried tart cherries 4 tablespoons   cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 1 cup   buttermilk 2 tablespoons   sugar, for sprinkling, optional Fat-free Greek yogurt and sugar-free jam, for serving, optional Preparation 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Place first 8 ingredients (through baking powder) in bowl of food processor. Pulse to combine. Add fruit and butter. Pulse again 15-20 times to form a sandy texture. Stir in buttermilk; pulse just enough to combine. 2. Drop 8 spoonfuls (about 1/2 cup each) onto parchment-lined ba...

Yield:  10 servings (serving size: 1 piece)                Ingredients 1 cup   packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup   light-colored corn syrup 1/4 cup   butter Cooking spray 10  (1-ounce) slices French bread (soft bread such as Pepperidge Farm) 2 1/2 cups   1% low-fat milk 1 tablespoon   all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons   vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon   salt 2  large eggs 2 tablespoons   granulated sugar 1 teaspoon   ground cinnamon Preparation Combine first 3 ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until mixture is bubbly, stirring constantly. Pour mixture evenly into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange bread slices in a single layer over syrup in dish. Combine milk and next 4 ingredients (through eggs) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Pour egg mixture over bread slices. Cover and refrigerate for 8 h...

Prep: 10 minutes; Bake: 25 minutes. Yield:  Makes 24 servings (serving size: 1 square)                Ingredients 1/4 cup   maple syrup 1/4 cup   coarsely chopped walnuts 1 cup   chopped pitted dates 1/2 cup   brown sugar 1/4 cup   granulated sugar 1  egg 3 tablespoons   butter, softened 1/2 cup   applesauce 1/2 cup   vanilla low-fat yogurt 1 1/2 teaspoons   vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups   all-purpose flour 3 cups   quick-cooking oats (not instant) 1/2 teaspoon   baking soda 1 teaspoon   salt 1 1/2 teaspoons   ground cinnamon Preparation 1. Preheat oven to 350°. 2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, stirring slowly with a wooden spoon until well combined. 3. Spray a 9- x 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Pour batter into pan, and spread evenly. 4. Bake 25 minutes or until just golden brown around edges. Cool and cut into squar...

                             "I made this as a birthday cake using a low-fat lemon cream-cheese frosting. It was quite a hit." --CL Reader Yield:  9 servings (serving size: 1 square) Ingredients 1/2 cup   all-purpose flour 1/2 cup   whole wheat flour 1 teaspoon   baking powder 1/2 teaspoon   ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon   baking soda 1/4 teaspoon   salt 1  large egg 1  large egg white 1/2 cup   packed brown sugar 1/2 cup   canned pumpkin 2 tablespoons   vegetable oil 2 tablespoons   butter, melted 1 tablespoon   grated orange rind 3/4 cup   raisins 1/2 cup   grated carrot 1/3 cup   dried cranberries Cooking spray 2 tablespoons   coarsely chopped walnuts Preparation Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours and next 4 ingred...

                  Bring out the best of fall's flavors with this super-easy pumpkin  dip , perfect for enjoying with fresh apple slices. Yield:  12 servings (serving size: 2 tablespoons dip and 2 apple slices) Ingredients 3/4 cup   (6 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese 1/2 cup   packed brown sugar 1/2 cup   canned pumpkin 2 teaspoons   maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon   ground cinnamon 24  apple slices Preparation Place first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add syrup and cinnamon, and beat until smooth. Cover and chill 30 minutes. Serve with apple. Nutritional Information Calories per serving: 107 Calories from fat: 27% Fat per serving: 3.2g Saturated fat per serving: 2g Monounsaturated fat per serving: 0.9g Polyunsaturated fat per serving: 0.1g Protein per serving: 2g Carbohydrates per serving: 18.3g Fiber per serving:...