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

Yield:  Makes 4 servings (serving size: 1 sundae)                    Ingredients 1 tablespoon   plus 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon   chili powder 1/2 teaspoon   ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon   ground red pepper 1/4 cup   sliced almonds 1  pint vanilla light ice cream 1 cup   frozen pitted cherries 1/4 cup   English toffee pieces 2 ounces   bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled Preparation 1. Preheat oven to 375°. Stir together first 4 ingredients (through pepper) in a small bowl. Add almonds, and stir gently until well-combined. Transfer to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, and spread nuts in a single layer. Bake in middle of oven, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant. Remove parchment from pan, and let almonds cool on paper. Nuts will crisp as they cool. 2. Break nut mixture into pieces. Portion ice cream int...

                    Ingredients 1 1/2 cups   nuts 1/2 cup   maple syrup 1 tablespoon   butter 1 tablespoon   ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon   chili powder Sea salt Preparation Preheat oven to 350°. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and bake nuts for 10 minutes; remove to cool slightly. Heat maple syrup in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly; bring to a low boil, and stir in butter. Add nuts, and stir until coated; let cool. Combine cinnamon and chili powder (less if you don't want it spicy) in a bowl. Remove nuts from the maple mixture with a slotted spoon, and toss in the spice mixture. Lay nuts on a baking sheet, and sprinkle with a little sea salt; let dry. Store in an airtight container for up to 10 days.

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:  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...

Yield:  12 servings (serving size: 1 piece)                Ingredients 1 1/2 cups   granulated sugar, divided 1/2 cup   nutlike cereal nuggets (such as Grape-Nuts) 2 teaspoons   instant espresso granules 1 teaspoon   ground cinnamon 1 3/4 cups   all-purpose flour (about 7 3/4 ounces) 1 teaspoon   baking soda 1/2 teaspoon   baking powder 1/2 teaspoon   salt 1 cup   vanilla fat-free yogurt (about 8 ounces) 1/2 cup   butter, softened 1/2 cup   egg substitute Cooking spray 1 1/2 cups   powdered sugar, sifted 2 tablespoons   cooled brewed coffee Preparation Preheat oven to 350°. Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar, cereal, espresso granules, and cinnamon in a small bowl; stir with a whisk. Set aside. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, remaining 1 cup granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a...

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...

Prep Time:  5 minutes Cook Time:  16 minutes Yield:  Makes 9 muffins (serving size: 1 muffin)                   Ingredients 2  mashed ripe bananas (about 3/4 cup) 2 tablespoons   canola oil 1  egg 1/2 cup   fat-free milk 3/4 teaspoon   vanilla extract 2/3 cup   white whole-wheat flour (such as King Arthur) or whole-wheat flour 1/2 cup   quick-cooking oats 1/4 cup   sugar 1 3/4 teaspoons   baking powder 1/2 teaspoon   ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon   salt Cooking spray Preparation 1. Preheat oven to 375º. 2. Combine bananas and next 4 ingredients (through vanilla) in a medium bowl; mix well, and set aside. 3. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup and level with a knife. Whisk together flour and next 5 ingredients (through salt) in a small bowl. 4. Stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture until they are just combined. 5. Spray 9...

Yield:  1 dozen (serving size: 1 muffin)                     Ingredients 1 1/2 cups   all-purpose flour 1/2 cup   sugar 2 1/2 teaspoons   baking powder 1 teaspoon   ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon   salt 2/3 cup   vanilla fat-free yogurt 1/4 cup   butter, melted 3 tablespoons   1% low-fat milk 1  large egg, lightly beaten Cooking spray 1/4 cup   strawberry jam 1 tablespoon   sugar 1/2 teaspoon   ground cinnamon Preparation Preheat oven to 375º. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine flour and the next 4 ingredients (flour through salt) in a large bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Make a well in center of flour mixture. Combine yogurt, butter, milk, and egg in a bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Add yogurt mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Place 12 foil cup liners in muffin cups; coat liner...

                  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:...

Mocha Phyllo Cups Yield:  8 servings (serving size: 1 cup) Ingredients 1 1/2 cups   fat-free milk 1  (1.4-ounce) box fat-free, sugarfree chocolate instant pudding mix 1 tablespoon   instant espresso 3  sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed Cooking spray 1/2 teaspoon   cinnamon sugar, divided Fat-free whipped topping Preparation In a saucepan, combine milk, instant pudding mix, and instant espresso, stirring with a whisk; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; transfer to bowl. Cover surface of pudding with plastic wrap; chill 1-4 hours. Preheat oven to 400°. Unwrap thawed phyllo dough. Lay 1 piece on counter; lightly coat with cooking spray. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon sugar. Lay second sheet on top of first; repeat steps with remaining phyllo. Cut dough into 8 rectangles; fit into ungreased muffin cups. Bake 10 minutes; remove from oven. Cool 10 minutes. Remove cups from pan; cool completely. Spoon pudding into cups; top each with...