That's a Dumb Name for a Delicious Dish

Death did not visit me in my dreams last night. It's a shame. I would have offered him a napkin to wipe his spittle in exchange for one more year of sharp-mindedness.

I am looking forward to the gym today. I've taken so much time off that I've had to move one step back in my program. I was feeling pretty down about it the other day, realizing that I hadn't been to this step in months but then I decided guilt isn't part of a healthy lifestyle. I've been busy and when I'm not busy, I make time to work out. The big picture is that there's a major difference between me last year and me now -- aside from pant size. A year ago, I didn't have a daily routine to miss. Now, I die when I go two days without it. So what, if I'm not where I intended to be by this time? The bigger picture is that I'm not where I was a year ago and progress is progress. Period. I will go and I will breathe and I will sweat and it will feel great! That's all that matters.

There was a small function at Hubby's work yesterday that required a breakfast casserole. Here's the dish that I made and highly recommend!

Apple Pan Goody

(Or, as I call it, Cran-Apple Quiche)

4-5 medium tart apples, peeled and sliced

3/4 cup dried cranberries

6 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

6 eggs

1-1/2 cups orange juice

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons sugar

Maple syrup, optional

In a large skillet, sauté apples, cranberries, brown sugar and 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon in butter until apples been to soften, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish.

In a blender, combine the eggs, orange juice, flour and salt; cover and process until smooth. Pour over apple mixture. Sprinkle with sugar and remaining cinnamon. Bake, uncovered, at 425℉ for 20-25 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve with syrup if desired. Yield: 8 servings.

My Tips: Sprinkle twice the amount of cinnamon on top (1/2 teaspoon). I like this better served with syrup. If I had it to do over again, I would have drizzled syrup over the entire thing before serving; without syrup it's good; with syrup it's wonderful! It tastes like fancy french toast smothered in maple flavored apples and cranberries.  SO GOOD!