Maple Roasted Chickpeas

Maple Roasted Chickpeas

Maple Roasted Chickpeas

The holiday is over, the food has been eaten, and I feel like I need to detox. Every year I vow never to eat as much as the year before and every year I fail to do so. After laying on the couch in a food-induced daze for much of yesterday, I'm ready to eat my greens. As much as I swear off food the day of a big meal, repeating I'm never going to eat again! in a woeful voice to anyone who will listen, the next evening I still find myself craving something sweet.

Perhaps this is the curse of having a sweet tooth.

Maple Roasted Chickpeas

I've only gone early morning Black Friday shopping once. Since I'm a solid believer in giving homemade gifts, any supplies I buy aren't typically listed as doorbusters. I much prefer the warmth of my bed and waking up with the sun, enjoying a small breakfast before I head out shopping. I'm constantly amazed at how few people are left in the stores by nine in the morning. I get sleep, avoid crowds, and still manage to pick up a few things for myself.

This is my version of Black Friday shopping.

Maple Roasted Chickpeas

To satisfy my sweet tooth after a big holiday, I like to make simple, healthy snacks that will not make me feel like I need to spend another hour at the gym. Ideally I would like to avoid all sweets, but it is just not in my nature. Turning healthy food that is typically served savory, like chickpeas, into a snack food makes me feel good about my sweet tooth. If I happen to eat the entire batch (as it has been known to happen), there is really no harm done. I already have a batch of these Maple Roasted Chickpeas stored away.

I hope you enjoy this detoxing snack as much as I do!

Maple Roasted Chickpeas

Maple Roasted Chickpeas are easy to make and easier to make disappear. Chickpeas are coated with a little oil, cinnamon, and brown sugar before roasting in the oven. Roasting transforms the chickpeas from soft beans into crunchy nuts. A little drizzle of maple syrup after baking adds sweetness and flavor (but not stickiness) to the final product. Roasted chickpeas make for a quick snack that is is healthy for you too!

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Basic Caramel Sauce

Basic Caramel Sauce

Basic Caramel Sauce

Everyone needs a basic caramel sauce—not only can it be used diversely, but it is adaptable. Though this caramel sauce is really quite wonderful without any alterations, here are just a few ideas for adding a little flair to this basic caramel sauce:

  • Stir in 1/4 cup of your favorite fruit juice or cider to add a unique flavor to your caramel (I used an orange citrus caramel sauce for these tarts).
  • Increase the salt to one teaspoon to make a fabulous salted caramel sauce.
  • Add in half a vanilla bean (or one teaspoon vanilla extract) at the end for a vanilla caramel sauce.
  • Melt in a tablespoon (or three) of unsalted butter when adding the salt to make a rich, buttery caramel.
  • Mix in 1/4 cup of your favorite alcohol to make a boozy caramel sauce (dark rum is my very favorite addition).

The possibilities are really only limited to your imagination.

Basic Caramel Sauce

Once you have created a homemade caramel sauce, there are many ways to use it up (not that I need to tell you that). Nevertheless, here are a few uses off the top of my head:

  • Stir a tablespoon or two into hot coffee and add warm, frothed milk to create a homemade caramel macchiato.
  • Whisk a couple tablespoons into warm apple cider to create a sweet Caramel Apple Cider.
  • Drizzle caramel sauce on top of your favorite breakfast treats (like muffins or scones) to add a decadent twist to your morning.
  • Use as a dip for fresh fruit (especially apples!).
  • Heat up the caramel and spoon it over ice cream to create the perfect ice cream sundae.
  • Add a few large spoonfuls when making buttercream to give the frosting a hint of caramel flavor.
  • Drizzle over pies and cheesecakes to add a unique flair.
  • Spread on the bottom of a cookie and sandwich with another to create a caramel-filled cookie sandwich.

Or, of course, you can always eat it plain and by the spoonful. In fact, I recommend it.

Basic Caramel Sauce

This caramel sauce is smooth and creamy, with a hint of salt to cut the best of the sweetness. Both incredibly adaptable and multipurpose, it is a recipe you should have in your repertoire. While caramel is often considered "tricky" to make, I'd argue otherwise. As long as you devote your full attention to the caramel while it's cooking, it's hard to mess up. In fact, you don't even need a candy thermometer to make a perfect batch. I've added a couple tips below to help you during the process (and a quick fix if the caramel seizes up).

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Candy Cane Popcorn

Candy Cane Popcorn

Candy Cane Popcorn Candy Cane Popcorn Candy Cane Popcorn

One of my neighbors really loves to go all out when lighting their home for the holidays. They don't just throw up a half dozen strings of light and call it good. Oh, certainly not. I can only believe they used the home from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation for inspiration and took the idea two (or ten) steps further. The home is truly a sight to behold. It puts my own house (and every other house in the neighborhood) to shame.

Fair warning: you may need sunglasses.

House of Lights House of Lights House of Lights House of Lights

Starting back in September, the family starts preparing the holiday lights. They begin building frames out of wood and pvc pipe to string with lights. Gradually over the weeks, more and more frames start popping up in the yard and, though the lights remain unlit, you can feel the festive storm begin to brew.

As Christmas approaches, the lights start to sparkle. Almost daily, the sheer amount of lights seem to double as the family rushes to get as many strings up as they can. The Chmielewski family truly expresses and wants to share the Christmas spirit with everyone they meet. They don't go through all of the months of work to set up the display just for themselves. Their wish is very simple. They just want to bring a little more holiday magic to everyone who takes a walk by their brightly lit home.

House of Lights House of Lights House of Lights House of Lights

What these photos don't show you: the lights are far brighter than my camera could ever capture, the flashing and flickering of lights on everything from the roof to the evergreen trees, the rotating Ferris wheel as it spins around carrying stuffed versions of our favorite holiday characters, the Christmas music singing loudly as it fills the air, the miniature bake shop selling everything from your favorite holiday cookies and bars to steaming cups of hot cocoa and warm hot dogs, a holly jolly Santa Claus greeting everyone who comes along to visit, and the friendly smiles and awe-struck faces of the small children walking through the sidewalk wonderland.

The home is perhaps the one and only home to ever feature three yeti (one of which is larger than life). It hosts half a dozen Kris Kringles and spans all holiday genres from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer to The Little Drummer Boy. I love how the Bethlehem star not only guides the wise men to the multiple nativity scenes they have set up in the yard, but it brings in the holiday visitors from miles around as the star leads them to this special place. Is it garish? Certainly. But I can't deny it had me (and everyone else) smiling from ear to ear.

Candy Cane Popcorn

And my favorite part? They take donations for charity in a lovely, well-lit box. Upon first glance, I wondered if the charity might be their own electric bill but, after asking a few questions, I found out just the opposite. Last year the money they collected went to help local residents who can't quite afford to keep their own lights (and heat) on during the winter season.

I can't imagine a more fitting cause.

Candy Cane Popcorn Candy Cane Popcorn

This Candy Cane Popcorn snack mix is as addictive as it is colorful. Popcorn, by nature, has more protein than any other cereal grain, more iron than spinach, more phosphorous than pretzels, and almost as much fiber as bran flakes. It's a super food. By simply coating the popcorn with a drizzle of white and dark chocolate and a sprinkling of crushed candy canes, it turns the popcorn into a decadent tasting sweet that's good for you at the same time! This is the ideal 100 calorie snack to zap your chocolate cravings without indulging in something you may regret later. It's also a perfect dish to bring to parties!

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