Date Night: Apple Themed (SEPTEMBER)

This months date night is themed around APPLES! What better way to transition into fall food? I have created a combination of sweet and savory foods for your date night. Check out all the recipes below!

Apple Cider Mimosas

This is easily my favorite adult fall drink. I LOVE apple cider (especially in the fall) and this is a super delicious and festive twist on a mimosa. PLUS it's incredibly easy and has minimal ingredients, so what's not to love?!

Ingredients:

• Champagne

• Apple Cider

• Cinnamon and Sugar mixture

• Honey

• Apple slices to garnish

Directions:

1. Put 1 tbsp of honey in a bowl.

2. In another bowl, mix 1 tbs of sugar and 1/2 a tbsp of cinnamon.

3. Dip your glass in the honey and then dip it in the cinnamon and sugar mixture to create a sweet and delicious rim on your glass.

4. Add the apple cider and champagne to your glass and stir them together. (I usually do half and half because I love champagne but you can use less or more depending on your preference!)

5. Add an apple slice to garnish and DRINK UP!

Apple Chutney Bruschetta

EASILY my new favorite snack. It's a combination of sweet and savory and absolutely to die for.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

• 1/2 cup raisins

• 2 Granny Smith apples

• 1 small onion

• 1/4 cup olive Oil

• 2 tbsp chutney

• 1 tsp minced fresh ginger

• Salt (to taste)

• Pepper (to taste)

• Garlic (1 tsp)

• Baguette

• Cream cheese (DF option: kite hill)

Directions:

1. Start by peeling and dicing your apples.

2. Once that's done, put the diced onion, the diced apples and all the other ingredients in a pan and sauté on low until everything is soft.

Serve on a toasted baguette with cream cheese.

Apple & Prosciutto Wraps with a Dijon Dressing

These can be used as a snack or they would also be great for lunch! They are such a crowd pleaser and they seem super "fancy" but they are really just ridiculously easy to make. I'M FOR IT!

Dijon Dressing Ingredients:

• Olive Oil

• Dijon Mustard

• White Wine Vinegar

• Parsley

• Salt

• Pepper

• Fresh Garlic

Dijon Dressing Directions:

(You can use a food processor, a blender or you can hand whisk this)

1. Add roughly 1/4 of a cup of parsley to a food processor

2. Add 3 tbsp of Dijon Mustard to the food processor

3. Add 1/2 a cup of white wine vinegar to the food processor

4. Now add the salt and pepper and chopped fresh garlic (roughly 2 cloves)

5. turn the food processor on and while it is mixing, add the olive oil until you've reached your desired consistency and taste. For a stronger dressing, use less olive oil.

Apple & Prosciutto Wrap Ingredients:

• 1 Granny Smith Apple

• Spring Mix Lettuce

• Smoked Gouda Cheese Slices (DF- Follow Your Heart Brand)

• Prosciutto

Apple & Prosciutto Wrap Directions:

1. Lay a piece of prosciutto on a flat surface (horizontally)

2. Take a few pieces of lettuce and place them on top of each other at one one of the prosciutto to create a base for your wrap.

3. Then place a piece of a smoked gouda cheese slice on top of the lettuce.

4. Add a slice of apple on top of the cheese.

5. Roll the piece of prosciutto around these ingredients (creating a wrap).

6. Drizzle the wraps with your homemade Dijon Dressing and ENJOY!

Apple Pie Bites

I'm DROOLING just thinking about these. They are an easy snack/ dessert and they just scream autumn!

Ingredients:

• Crescent Rolls (Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls do not contain dairy!)

• Apples (Red apples are softer and break down easier so they will be softer in your pie filling)

• Cinnamon

• Brown Sugar

• Butter (Smart Balance)

• Sugar

• Lemon Juice

• Water

• Flour

Directions:

1. Start by peeling 2 apples and cutting them into tiny pieces.

2. Add 3 tbsp of butter to the sauce pan and heat on medium-low until melted.

3. Then add 3 tbsp on flour to it and stir until a thick paste is created.

4. Add 1 cup of water (start with adding 1 cup slowly until thickened), 1/2 a tbsp of lemon juice, 4 tbsp of Granulated white sugar, 2 tbsp of brown sugar, and 1 tbsp of cinnamon and the apple pieces to the sauce pan.

5. Cook all of this on medium-low heat until the sauce comes together and is a thick consistency.

6. Let this cool fully before moving on.

7. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.

8. Lay out a crescent roll (one triangle) and put a spoon full of the cooled apple pie filling in the center. roll the sides around the filling, leaving no sides open.

9. Place the apple pie bites on a buttered baking sheet.

10. Brush melted butter over the top of the dough and then sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top.

11. Bake the apple pie bites until they are golden brown!

Fruit Dip

This incredibly versatile dip will be a hit at any party or date night. I promise! I could eat it by itself because it's that good!

Ingredients:

• 1 container of cream cheese (DF option: Kite Hill plain almond milk cream cheese) (8oz container)

• Brown Sugar (1/2 a cup)

• Cinnamon (2 tbsp)

• Nutmeg (1/2 a tsp)

Directions:

(You can hand mix or whisk this recipe)

1. Whisk the room temperature cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until light and fluffy! THAT'S IT!

Add everything to your charcuterie board (including sliced baguette pieces, pretzels, dried fruit and apple wedges) and you're ready for your date night!