Apple Crisp

What do you make when you want apple pie but don't want the work of an apple pie? Apple crisp! I have used a number of recipes in the past, but keep coming back to this one. It's got oatmeal in the topping and the topping is not too thick.

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RECIPE: Apple Crisp (Simply Recipes)

Acorn Squash with Herbs and Parmesan

I was recently introduced to Carnival squash, which is a lot like acorn squash but is a little sweeter and colored differently on the outside. But since I haven't eaten acorn squash much either, I went looking for recipes to make with it, and settled on this.

Notes:

• I used olive oil instead of ghee/butter.
  
• The second time I made it, the skin took on a really unappetizing texture (might depend on how fresh/large your squash is; this one was kind of big and had a more stringy texture compared to the one I used the first time). I peeled the cooked slices, threw away the skins and mashed the flesh to eat instead. Yum.
  

Verdict: I loved it and would absolutely make it again.

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RECIPE: Herb-Roasted Parmesan Acorn Squash

Lentil Soup

I was never all that interested in eating lentils for most of my life, but one day we had a bunch of leftover lentil soup at the restaurant I once worked at, and they were asking around if anyone wanted to take it home so they didn't have to throw it away. I decided to take some and try it, and to my surprise, I really liked it. I have used a couple of different recipes since then to make it at home, but lost those, so I decided to try this one.

Notes:

• I don't like greens in soup so I left them out.
• I don't blend a portion of the soup because I like the texture as it is.
  

Verdict: I've made this several times since the original post, so you could say I really like it. Healthy, hearty, warm, and filling.

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RECIPE: Lentil Soup (Cookie and Kate)

Seafoam Cupcakes with Chocolate Seashells

I made these for my spread for a marine themed virtual tea party. They are yellow cupcakes with blue-tinted vanilla buttercream frosting, decorated with pearl sprinkles and white chocolate seashells. I made these yellow cupcakes once on a whim about four years ago and they made quite the impression on me (and apparently everyone else at the housewarming party I brought them to -- they were gone by the time one of the hosts went to grab one!). I am normally pretty skeptical of recipes with superlatives in the title but they are truly delicious. Unfortunately I filled the cups a little too full and they overflowed and stuck together so the edges are ragged, but they were for myself and they tasted really good, so meh. I got the more important part right. Plus it kind of works if you think of the cake as sand :)

I tinted the frosting a very light blue (about 5-6 drops) and piped it on the cupcakes to visually simulate crashing waves. I melted white chocolate chips, swirled in a couple of drops of blue food coloring, filled seashell shaped silicone molds with the chocolate, and put them in the refrigerator to harden. I used these and some pearl sprinkles to decorate the tops of the cupcakes.

Verdict: They are simple and definitely on the sugary side for me (whee piles of frosting), but I enjoyed them a lot. I shared them with my partner and gave some to a couple of friends, and everyone else really enjoyed the cupcakes too. Definitely have some go-to recipes now. :D

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RECIPES:
Cake: The Perfect Yellow Cupcake (Food Network)
Frosting: Buttercream Frosting (Savory Sweet Life)