By Amy Story

Apple Fritter Nibbles

INGREDIENTS

Nonstick cooking spray

1 1/2 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Pinch of nutmeg

1/4 c. melted butter

1/4 c. sugar

1 large egg

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 c. applesauce

1 1/2 c. finely diced apples

2 c. powdered sugar

1/3 c. plus 2 Tbsp. apple cider or juice

PREPARATION

> Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a nonstick baking sheet.

> In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon.

> In a larger bowl, blend melted butter, sugar. Then add in egg, vanilla, applesauce.
Stir until smooth.

> Combine dry ingredients and wet ingredients. Don’t stir too much.

> Add diced apples.

> Drop 1 Tbsp. portions of this batter a few inches apart onto the baking sheet.

> Bake 10 minutes, remove from oven and turn broiler to high.

> Mix the powdered sugar and apple cider together until smooth and pourable.

> Brush some of this glaze over the warm nibbles and broil 2-4 minutes, rotating frequently until the glaze bubbles and caramelizes.

> Remove from oven and brush remaining glaze atop nibbles.

> Let the nibbles set for 15 minutes before serving.

Note: It seems like our daily lives at the lodge at Warm Lake are so busy, anything homemade we can grab on the run is a valuable commodity. Someone brought a box of apple fritters in from Cascade the other day, and they hit the spot. I wondered about other fritter-like recipes, and I happened upon this one, which of course I then modified somewhat.

Spicy Corn Critters

INGREDIENTS

16 ozs of frozen corn (about 3 c.). Or you could use one 16-oz bag of Bird’s Eye Sweet Corn™. Fresh corn is good, too.

4 scallions, finely diced

One jalapeno pepper, minced

1-2 limes

2 large eggs

1/4 c. milk

1 c. shredded Mexican cheese blend

1 c. self rising flour

Oil for cooking

Salt to taste

PREPARATION

> Finely dice dark and light green parts of the scallions and put them in large microwave safe bowl with corn and minced jalapeno pepper.

> Microwave mixture 3-4 minutes, stirring once or twice to promote even cooking. Let mixture cool slightly and stir in milk, cheese, flour, salt and eggs.

> Mix to combine.

> Heat large fry pan on the stove with oil.

> With a large spoon, drop batter onto hot pan. Fry until both sides are golden brown and centers cooked.

You could serve these with a good squeeze of lime, extra lime wedges, sour cream, salsa, pico de gallo, salted Greek yogurt, sliced tomatoes, sliced avocado, or hot sauce.

Note: Mmmm, why does this sound so good right now? For me, probably because anything sweet corn-related is comfort food.