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    • Sep-18-2015

    Popcorn as a Healthy Snack

    Posted by Carpets N More under Hints and Tips

    Looking for the perfect snack that is healthy, simple and has plenty of available toppings?  Popcorn clearly wins in each of these categories!   Popcorn is versatile, full of fiber and very low in fat (at least when it’s not doused with butter and salt). Skip the “Movie Theater Butter” and get creative when flavoring plain popcorn! Rather than butter, use a healthy oil substitute such as vegetable or coconut – this will help your choice of toppings to stick to the fluffy kernels.

    Are you in the mood for sweet or savory? If you are craving sweet, mix together a dash of cinnamon to a teaspoon of natural sugar. Sprinkle the mix over top of popcorn in a large bowl, then toss. Continue to add the mixture and toss the popcorn. This will ensure that all of the kernels get an even coating of flavor. Natural vanilla extract can be used as well. If you must use butter, pair a small amount of melted butter with a couple drops of vanilla extract and pour the mix over popcorn and continue to toss the kernels to evenly distribute the flavor.

    If you are craving savory then garlic parmesan may be the way to go. Sprinkle your popcorn with garlic seasoning.  Next sprinkle parmesan cheese (the kind you put on top of pizza) onto your popcorn. This snack is delicious and can really help with savory cravings. Another option is to sprinkle popcorn salt (ground finer than table salt) and nutritional yeast (this can be found at a health food store and has the added benefit of containing protein and B12!)

    For spicy food lovers, turn to spicy flavored popcorn! You can add spice to popcorn by using ground red pepper, spicy paprika seasoning or ground black pepper and a dash of salt. For a powerful punch, pair chili powder with paprika. For a zingy flavor mix a tablespoon of vegetable oil with several drops of lime juice and carefully drizzle over popcorn.

    Get creative and think outside of the box. Search your pantry and spice racks for healthier options to flavor popcorn with. If you like a certain flavor, most likely you will enjoy it on your healthy plain popcorn snack!

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    Nov-17-2010

    Thanksgiving Recipe: Super Apple Pie

    Posted by Carpets N More under Thanksgiving

    Here at Carpets N More, it is our goal to make you and your family happy in your home.  Thanksgiving is right around the corner and we thought we’d share one of our holiday recipes with you.  Now, close your eyes and imagine the deep, warm scent of apple pie baking in the oven.  It’s almost like you can taste it!  Below is one of our favorite apple pie recipes of all time.  Happy Thanksgiving!

    Ingredients

    For the crust:

    • 6 ounces unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
    • 2 ounces vegetable shortening, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
    • 5 to 7 tablespoons applejack
    • 12 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 2 3/4 cups, plus extra for dusting
    • 1 teaspoon table salt
    • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

    For the filling:

    • 3 to 3 1/2 pounds apples, mixture of Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn and Golden Delicious, about 6 large apples
    • 1/2 cup sugar, divided
    • 3 tablespoons tapioca flour
    • 2 tablespoons apple jelly
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider
    • 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
    • 1/4 teaspoon kosher slat
    • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground grains of paradise

    Directions

    For the crust:

    Place the butter, shortening and applejack into the refrigerator for 1 hour.

    In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, salt and sugar by pulsing 3 to 4 times. Add the butter and pulse 5 to 6 times until the texture looks mealy. Add the shortening and pulse another 3 to 4 times until incorporated.

    Remove the lid of the food processor and sprinkle in 5 tablespoons of the applejack. Replace the lid and pulse 5 times. Add more applejack as needed, and pulse again until the mixture holds together when squeezed. Weigh the dough and divide in half. Shape each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

    For the filling:

    Peel and core the apples. Slice into 1/2-inch thick wedges. Toss all of the apples with 1/4 cup of the sugar, place in a colander set over a large bowl and allow to drain for 1 1/2 hours.

    Transfer the drained liquid to a small saucepan, place over medium heat and reduce to 2 tablespoons. Set aside to cool. Toss the apples with the remaining sugar, tapioca flour, jelly, cider, lime juice, salt and grains of paradise.

    For assembling and baking the pie:

    Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

    Remove one disk of dough from the refrigerator. Place the dough onto a lightly floured piece of waxed paper. Lightly sprinkle the top of the dough with flour and roll out into a 12-inch circle. Place into a 9 1/2 to 10-inch tart pan that is 2-inches deep. Gently press the dough into the sides of the pan, crimping and trimming the edges as necessary. Set a pie bird in the center of the bottom of the pan.

    Place the apples into the unbaked pie shell in concentric circles starting around the edges, working towards the center and forming a slight mound in the center of the pie. Pour over any liquid that remains in the bowl. Roll out the second pie dough as the first. Place this dough over the apples, pressing the pie bird through the top crust. Press together the edges of the dough around the rim of the pie. Brush the top crust with the reduced juice everywhere except around the edge of pie. Trim any excess dough. Place the pie on a half sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake on the floor** of the oven for 30 minutes. Transfer to the lower rack of the oven and continue to bake another 20 minutes or until the apples are cooked through but not mushy. Remove to a rack and cool a minimum of 4 hours or until almost room temperature.

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