Mealtime Variety with Two Quick Healthy Recipes -

Crisp, cool air reminds us autumn is here. For our family we search for quick, healthy foods that offer nutrition and variety to match the changing seasons.
With little cabinet space and less time, I am always on the lookout for meals I can prepare quickly without much cleanup. I enjoy finding recipes that use foods on sale. For instance, shredded cabbage this week was ½ price. My family turns a nose up to traditional coleslaw but found this new cabbage dish quite tasty.
Apple Cabbage Salad (easy to double/triple)
Mix together ½ cup walnuts-broken in small pieces, 1 cup tart apples-chopped, and 1 cup cabbage-shredded.
To vegetables add just enough mayonnaise (or yogurt or sour cream) to moisten. Dress it up: scoop onto a cabbage or lettuce leaf, sprinkle with paprika.
Personalize the recipe by adding craisins, sunflower seeds, or pineapple tidbits. Experiment with finely chopped green onions, celery, peppers, or other veggies your family enjoys.

Here is a tasty warm casserole using shredded cabbage and apples.
Apple Stuffed Cabbage
1 medium head cabbage (about 2 pkgs. shredded)
2 cups hot water
5 tablespoons bacon crumbles
salt and pepper to taste
Mix above ingredients together and bake in lightly greased casserole dish at 375 for 20minutes.
Peel and core 3 large apples. Remove casserole from the oven, make indentations in cabbage mixture for the apples. When apples are nested in cabbage, add 1/8 cup brown sugar and 1 tablespoon vinegar to center of each apple. Dot with butter and return to oven for another 30 minutes. Will serve six.
You know already that I have another idea for this one. Instead of using the apple whole, I like to cut the apple in thick slices and arrange them on top of the cabbage. Mix the vinegar and brown sugar and sprinkle on top, dot with butter and finish baking.
NOTE: If you have space for a food processor and a little time, you can shred your own cabbage; for my schedule and space, pre-shredded works well.
Either of these dishes are easy to make; fun and nutritious. Cabbage is rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, and fiber. Another good use for shredded cabbage is tossing it in soups and stews.

For more recipes, check out my e-zine articles under the Articles for Caregivers tab at the top of this page.

Hugs and happy, healthy eating,