1. Did you watch the vice presidential debate last week? Even if you didn’t tune in, I’m sure you’ve read all about Vice President Biden’s almost constant grinning and chuckling. Even as an Obama/Biden supporter, I found his antics rather obnoxious, and cracked up when I read this quip: “Biden’s teeth are so white, they’re voting for Romney”.
Politically incorrect? Yes. Funny? Absolutely.
2. Speaking of the VPs, (I apologize to any Paul Ryan fans out there), this is hysterical.
3. A quick pregnancy update: As of tomorrow, I will officially be 30 weeks in! Time has flown by, and I get positively giddy every time I think about holding our little baby girl in my arms in a mere 10 weeks =).
I’ve been feeling great, (other than almost daily heartburn episodes), and have maintained my thrice-weekly (or sometimes 4 x per week) long hikes in the woods with Shelby, once weekly prenatal DVD workouts, once weekly prenatal yoga DVD practice, and – for the most part – healthy eating habits. Raw vegetables haven’t been as appealing to me during pregnancy as they were prior, but now that it’s roasting season, I plan to included more veggies into my diet.
I have noticed an increase in my appetite over the past couple of weeks, so I won’t be too surprised if my weight gain starts to pick up (I’m about 15 lbs up from my pre-pregnancy weight).
John has finished painting the nursery (a gorgeous soft yellow color) and I have two baby showers to attend in early November. I’m looking forward to checking things off of our registry list!
4. I’m falling in love with the town we moved to over the summer. It’s quintessentially New England with a tree-lined main street, small businesses, and a scattering of restaurants.
We were lucky enough to buy a house within walking distance of the town center, so on Saturday night we decided to walk to a Japanese restaurant down the road. I’ve always ordered sushi when out at a Japanese restaurant, but obviously my choices are limited while preggers. I decided on an udon dish with stir-fried veggies and thinly sliced beef, and was super impressed by how fresh and tasty it was!
Lesson learned that entree dishes at Japanese restaurants can be just as good as the sushi.
5. It’s apple week over at The Back Burner, and I’ve concocted a phenomenal sandwich that includes sweet sauteed apples, melted sharp cheddar cheese, and hearty dried fruit- & nut-studded bread.
I loved this Apple Pie Grilled Cheese so much, I’m already planning on making it again sometime this week. Seriously SO GOOD!
| Name | Monday Musings + Apple Pie Grilled Cheese |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | American |
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 15 minutes |
| Total Time | 25 minutes |
| Servings | 2 |
| Yield | 2 |
Ingredients
For the Apple Pie Filling
- 2 apples (any variety you prefer), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- A pinch of salt
For the Grilled Cheese
- 4 slices of your favorite bread (such as sourdough or whole wheat)
- 4 slices of sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Instructions
1. Prepare the Apple Pie Filling
In a skillet, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
Add the sliced apples, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
Cook the apples, stirring occasionally, until they become tender and caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. Set aside.
2. Assemble the Grilled Cheese
Take two slices of bread and spread a generous amount of softened butter on one side of each slice.
Place a slice of sharp cheddar cheese on the unbuttered side of two bread slices.
Divide the prepared apple pie filling between the two slices of bread with cheese.
Top each sandwich with another slice of sharp cheddar cheese.
Place the remaining slices of bread on top, buttered side out, to form two sandwiches.
3. Grill the Sandwiches
Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
Carefully transfer the sandwiches to the hot skillet.
Cook until the bread turns golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side.
4. Serve and Enjoy
Remove the Apple Pie Grilled Cheese sandwiches from the skillet and let them cool for a minute.
Slice each sandwich in half diagonally.
Serve them warm with a side of Monday Musings – a moment to reflect, recharge, and enjoy the delicious blend of flavors and memories.
Estimated Nutrition Per Serving (1 sandwich)
- Calories: 435 kcal
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Cholesterol: 67mg
- Sodium: 486mg
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Dietary Fiber: 5g
- Sugars: 25g
- Protein: 9g
Please note that these nutrition values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used in the recipe.
