Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Apple Nachos-The Perfectly Healthy Dessert





Don't these healthy apple nachos look fabulous? 
No processed sugar, oil-free, gluten-free, vegan, parve.. oh my!!



Rosh Hashnah, Jewish New Year

It is traditional to eat apples and honey and other sweet desserts made with apples on the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, which begins on this year on the evening of Sept 6, 2021 this year. However, according to the Hebrew calendar, we are actually celebrating the year 5,782 which dates back to Biblical days. 

Chocolate Fudge Sauce Made With Dates

I will be making this exciting super healthy and super tasty apple holiday dessert for our holiday dinner next week.

I've already mentioned in previous posts that my son, Jonathan, doesn't eat processed sugar, so I'm always on the lookout for a dessert he will eat. He inspires me and it's healthier for all of us. Remember the birthday (link) exotic fruit platter birthday and banana for candles? 

sliced apples
Apples and Honey Anyone? 

This simple recipe is sure to be a winner with the entire family. 
Apples are really good for us and the toppings make it fun to eat! How do I keep my apple slices from turning brown for 6 hours? 
I have a really simple method (not lemon juice).



apple slices won't turn brown www.realfoodblogger.com

Apple nachos are very easy to make 
1. Slice the apples
2. Arrange on the plate
3. Drizzle with toppings of choice (see suggestions below)
5. Serve and enjoy

It's that easy

Topping and Drizzle Suggestions
1. Honey (maple syrup for vegans)
2. Homemade chocolate fudge drizzle (recipe below)
3. Slivered almonds
4. Shredded coconut 
5. Raisins
6. Dried cranberries
7. Cinnamon
8. Peanut butter drizzle sauce (recipe below)
9. Cinnamon caramel sauce (recipe below)


Sweet and Rich Chocolate Fudge Sauce 
(no added sugar)
This chocolate sauce is rich and chocolaty. It is very easy to make, has no added sugars, and is vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, and parve.  Use it to drizzle over apples or as a dip. 

Ingredients:
8-10 pitted dates
3/4 cup of nut milk 
2 tablespoons of unsweetened organic cocoa powder (I buy this one)

Very Easy Directions:
Combine dates and nut milk in a small bowl. Allow to soak for 15 minutes to soften up dates. Add the cocoa and the date mixture into a small blender such as a Nutribullet. Blend until smooth and pour (scrape) mixture into a very small saucepan. Heat on a low flame, whisking the entire time, until mixture begins to thicken. Remove from heat and spoon into a small glass ramekin. Use as a dip or drizzle some over the apple slices.  It makes a small ramekin but it is enough since it is very rich.

** if you like your sauce thinner, dilute with a tablespoon of nut milk at a time, but it will take away from the rich taste if you make it too thin. 




Peanut Butter Powder Sauce 
(some PB powder brands may contain sugar)

Ingredients: 
8-10 dates
3/4 cup of nut milk
2 tablespoons Peanut Butter Powder (I use this one- organic peanut butter powder - this brand does contain organic coconut sugar which I originally didn't realize. 

Directions: 
Soak the dates in the nut milk for 15 minutes. Add the dates and nut milk and the peanut butter powder to a small blender- I use this one.
Pour contents into a small saucepan and heat on low whisking for about 3-4 minutes. Spoon into a small glass ramekin and use as a dip or drizzle over the apple slices. 
** Disclaimer:  I just read the ingredients on the peanut butter powder and it does contain some organic coconut sugar which many people use and consider healthy- but be aware.  


Caramel Cinnamon Sauce
Ingredients: 
8-10  pitted dates
3/4 cup of nut milk 
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon 
optional: 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla.

Directions:
Soak the dates in the nut milk for 15 minutes. Add the dates, nut milk, and cinnamon to a small blender such as a Nutribullet. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add to a very small saucepan. Turn heat to low and whisk for 3 minutes until thickens slightly. Spoon into a small glass ramekin and use as a dip or drizzle for the apple slices. 

In a hurry or don't mind eating sugar- use chocolate syrup, chocolate chips, caramel sauce from the store. 

Shofar, Kid, Jewish New Year, Shana Tova

This photo shows a boy blowing the Shofar (ram's horn). Prior to modern times and modern communication and clocks, the blowing of the Shofar was used to alert the community that the holiday was starting or ending. 

Today synagogues all over the world still blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah. The loud blasts of the shofar symbolically awakens us to think about and reflect the beginning of our 10 days of self reflection and atonement for our behaviors in the coming New Year. 


My Notes: 

1. If making the sauce and it needs more liquid, add 1 tablespoon at a time of nut milk to thin it. However, be careful not to make the sauces too thin or they will begin to lose their rich taste.

2. You can sprinkle cinnamon on the apple slices 

3. These apple nachos can be made up to 3 hours in advance, covered, and refrigerated until ready to serve. ( I do suggest that you soak your apples according to the suggestion for at least 5 minutes to prevent browning of the apple slices. Apple Slices Wont Turn Brown With This Tip.





This post is Shared on Weekend Cooking at The Intrepid Reader and Baker where anyone can share a food related post- including you!! 


Shared and featured on Simply Sweet Home blog party


25 comments:

  1. The fudge sauce with dates sounds really good. I would totally eat the whole bowl with a spoon :-) It's nice and fun to celebrate new year in September.

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    1. The fudge sauce was delicious over our apple slices. It was a fun dessert for this holiday. Actually, our Jewish New Year is celebrated as a religious holiday where we spend the entire morning until noon in the synagogue saying prayers. It's not quite like the secular New Year celebration.

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  2. Great ideas as usual.

    I enjoy reading about the Jewish traditions!

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  3. Yummmm! This sounds like an absolutely amazing healthy snack. I love using dates in sauces too and these look so delicious. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  4. It looks delicious!....I want to try the sauce with dates....I love dates!!.....Abrazotes, Marcela

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  5. YUM! Thanks so much for linking up at A Themed Linkup 71 for Healthy Recipes. Pinned!

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  6. Your apple nachos look amazing... and your topping/drizzle suggestions literally made me want to run to the store and get everything to make these right now!

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  7. What a fun idea! Really tasty, and pretty healthy, too. Thanks!

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  8. Looks yummy and pinned this post. Thanks for sharing and Happy Holiday!

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  9. This looks and sounds delicious!! I'd be honored if you shared it at our What's for Dinner party! https://lazygastronome.com/whats-for-dinner-sunday-link-up-330/

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    1. So excited you've joined our party!! I hope to see you each week with your great recipes! Have a good weekend.

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  10. I have a friend who makes a version of this will caramel sauce. I am always happy when there is no processed sugar added to a recipe.

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  11. Chag Sameach, have a great New Year!

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  12. Judee, what great recipes, especially for our children who love "fun" food, but need good nutrition. Thank you. Pinned for later when the grandson has transitioned to solid food.

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  13. We sometimes have apples and maple syrup instead of honey -- but always celebrate the New Year with this treat. My mom was partial to apples and caramel; maybe I'll make that this year in her memory.

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  14. What a concept, Apple Nachos! And, thanks for the no browning tip, which I saved.

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    1. I know .. a truly healthy dessert that everyone can enjoy and the theme ties into our eating apple recipes for our Jewish New Year. the no browning tip is awesome and I always use it. Apples stay fresh looking for hours.

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  15. Happy Rosh Hashanah! Your apple nachos sound delicious! I am definitely going to check out your tip to keep apples from going brown too!

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    Replies
    1. thank you for the holiday wishes Marg. So appreciated. Yes, the apple tip really works and is easy.

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  16. Yes, these apple nachos do look fabulous, especially on the apple-print tablecloth! And I certainly remember your son's festive birthday fruit dessert. I hope that you and your family enjoyed the nachos, etc. and had a lovely Rosh Hashanah. :)

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    1. Thank you for the Happy Rosh Hashanah wishes. It is so appreciated and yes everyone enjoyed the nachos.

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  17. Looks yummy! Thanks for joining us for Friday Favorites. I'm featuring you this week!

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    1. Jerri,
      Thank you for featuring these apple nachos on your blog party this week at Simply Sweet Home. Much appreciated.

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  18. Oh my gravy, these look like the perfect snack. And I appreciate the tip about keeping apple crisp and white. Will try that and this deliciousness very soon.

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  19. These are so pretty! And no doubt delicious! I really appreciate that tip on keeping the apple slices from changing colors. I've never heard that one before. How easy!

    Thanks, Judee!
    Shirley

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Your comments are appreciated. I love knowing who is stopping by to read my posts! Have a great day.

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