Maple and Dried Fruit Stuffed Baked Apples

Baked apples are one of those old-fashioned desserts that should not be forgotten. Simply core whole apples and fill the cavities with crunchy nuts and chewy fruit, then baste them with cider and maple syrup for a timeless delicious treat.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup dried cherries, chopped
• 4 medium dried figs, chopped
• 2 tablespoons sliced, almonds
• 2 tablespoons pecan pieces, chopped
• 6 large apples
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 6 equal pieces
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the sliced almonds in a small sauté pan over medium heat and toss, moving constantly over the heat until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes, cool and chop. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, dried fruit and nuts. Cut off the tops of the apples with a paring knife, to make a little lid like on a Jack-O-Lantern. Set the apple tops aside. Remove the cores of the apples without cutting through the bottom using a small melon baller or paring knife. If using a paring knife, cut a circle straight down. Use the tip of the knife to cut the core into pieces, angling across the cylinder to disconnect the pieces from the bottom and pull them out.
2. Place the apples in a baking pan or casserole dish and stuff the cavities with the fruit and nut mixture. Place a piece of butter on top of the mixture.
3. Mix the apple cider and maple syrup together, pour into the bottom of the baking pan and bake the apples, uncovered, basting every 10 minutes, until they are tender when pierced with a paring knife, 30 to 40 minutes. Carefully place the reserved apple tops on the apples at 20 minutes.
4. When the apples are tender, transfer them to a serving platter and cover with foil to keep warm. Pour the pan juices into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Simmer the mixture until it becomes syrupy and reduces to a sauce, about 10 minutes. Serve over the apples.

Authored by Robin Asbell. Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop

Eggnog Spiced Sugar Cookies

Total Time: 15 to 25 minutes

Servings: Approximately 2 dozen cookies

If you love eggnog (and even if you don't), the delightful aroma and flavor of cinnamon and nutmeg make these perfect holiday treats.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup eggnog

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a small mixing bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, mix butter and sugar until creamy, then add egg, vanilla and eggnog; mix well. When liquid mixture is combined, add the flour mixture and stir until well blended.
3. Roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness on lightly floured surface. Cut with cookie cutter. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Or roll dough into balls and slightly press on to an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake approximately 8-12minutes (depending on thickness) or until golden brown on the edges.

Authored by Organic Valley and Simply Organic. Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop

DIY Lip Balm

Making your own lip balm is beyond easy; in fact, you might even know several people who have already given it a whirl. DIY lip balm is great because not only can you make it just the way you like it, you can control the ingredients.

You should be able to find most of the supplies you need for this project in your co-op’s health and body care section, or online in larger quantities. A local craft store is another good place to look, especially for tins and tubes to hold the finished product.

To make the balm, follow this general recipe, and customize to your tastes from there. We’ve included a few of our favorite scent combos below for inspiration.

Lip balm recipe

Makes 4 ½-oz. tubes

• 1 tablespoon beeswax pearls (or 1 tablespoon grated, unbleached beeswax)
• 1 tablespoon shea butter
• 2 tablespoon carrier oil (sunflower, castor, almond or jojoba)
• 10-15 drops essential oil
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional, for those that like it slightly sweet) 

Melt beeswax, shea butter and oil together in a small bowl in the microwave. If you don’t have a microwave, use a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl over simmering water. Stir until ingredients are liquid, then add essential oils and optional honey. Mix well. Transfer to a large eyedropper, syringe, or container with a spout, and divide liquid among four ½ ounce lip balm tins, jars or tubes. 

Customize your creation

To tint or color lip balm, add 1/8 teaspoon of lipstick to the solid ingredients when melting (just take a tiny dab off the end of your favorite tube). You can also use a drop or two of natural red food coloring, or a small amount of beetroot powder or a loose mineral powder (like blush). 

To make lip balm super shiny, adjust the recipe by adding one teaspoon more of carrier oil. Note that this formulation will not be suitable for tubes, since the end result will not be firm enough. 

Scent ideas: In addition to single scent blends that are popular, like peppermint and vanilla, consider these fun combinations:

Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop

Beet Pesto Crostini

Total Time: 35 minutes; 20 minutes active

Servings: 4

Earthy, vibrant beets combine with garlic and crunchy sunflower seeds in this unusual (and vegan) pesto appetizer. Unlike herb pestos, this keeps refrigerated for a few days, tightly covered.

Ingredients

• 3 2-inch beets, about 6 ounces
• 1 clove garlic, peeled
• 5 tablespoons sunflower seeds, raw
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 slices baguette, toasted

Preparation

1. Wash the beets, but don't peel them. Place them in a small pot and add water to cover by an inch. Put on high heat and bring to a boil, then reduce to a vigorous simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes, until a paring knife inserted in a beet slips in easily.
2. Drain the beets and rinse with cold water, then trim the tops and slip the skins off under the cold water. Let cool.
3. In a food processor, mince the garlic. Add 1/4 cup of the sunflower seeds and pulse to chop finely. Add the beets and process until finely chopped. Add the olive oil and salt and pulse just to mix, don't puree.
4. To serve, spread about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the beet mixture on each baguette slice.

Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop

Every day in December is a day of action

This past Sunday, Natives, water protectors, and Dakota Access Pipeline protesters scored a huge victory. The Obama Administration announced that the US Army Corps would not grant Dakota Access LLC the last remaining easement it needs to drill under the Missouri River at Lake Oahe and complete construction of the pipeline.

While this is encouraging, Mariposa will still be collecting donations at our registers. Read more about what’s next below.

“While this is clearly a victory, the battle is not “over”. A response statement from Energy Transfer Partners  and Sunoco Logistics said the corporations remain “fully committed to ensuring that this vital project is brought to completion and fully expect to complete construction of the pipeline without any additional rerouting in and around Lake Oahe. Nothing this Administration has done today changes that in any way.”

The Trump administration could easily approve the project early next year. The Obama Administration has never guaranteed the water protectors or the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe that they would use force to stop Dakota Access from drilling under the river without a permit, if necessary. The Army Corps has not yet agreed to pursue a full EIS for the entire length of the pipeline.

Organizers continue to call for every day of December to be “a day of #NoDAPL action” against the investors of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Over 100 solidarity actions worldwide have already been registered for the coming weeks as the encampment continues to stand their ground.

Dallas Goldtooth of the Indigenous Environmental Network says, “Today, the Obama Administration has told us they are not granting the final easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline. This is not just an amazing victory for Standing Rock and the Oceti Sakowin  -- but also for the many other Tribal Nations, grassroots Indigenous communities and millions of Americans around the country who have stood in solidarity with us here in person, at rallies around the country, and through phone calls and letters. This is a victory for organizing, and it doesn't stop now. We are asking our supporters to keep up the pressure, because while President Obama has granted us a victory today, that victory isn't guaranteed in the next administration. More threats are likely in the year to come, and we cannot stop until this pipeline is completely and utterly defeated, and our water and climate are safe.”

LaDonna Allard, Director of the Sacred Stone Camp, says, “I was asked, “When do you consider this pipeline issue to be over?” I said, when every pipe is out of the ground and the earth is repaired across the United States. I am not negotiating, I am got backing down. I must stand for our grandchildren and for the water.”

Read more at sacredstonecamp.org/blog/

News Roundup: December 2, 2016

December: Every Day is a #NoDAPL Day of Action

On November 20th the police and National Guard violently attacked peaceful water protectors at Standing Rock. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper spray, sound grenades, and sprayed them with water cannons in subfreezing conditions, hundreds of people were injured. Read more. 

After a three-year search, South Philly Food Co-op reveals location

After a long search, three years to be exact, the South Philly Food Co-op has finally found a new home.

Its grand reveal came Tuesday night at a party with the co-op's board of directors and around 100 others. South Philadelphians will soon be able to find the member-owned and operated grocery store at 2031 S. Juniper St., near Broad Street and Passyunk and Snyder avenues. Read more.

City seeks buyer for 36 MOVE bombing properties on Osage and Pine

The city has invited developers to bid on 36 controversial properties on the 6200 blocks of Osage and Pine hastily rebuilt following the MOVE bombing in 1985.

A fire began after police dropped a small bomb from a helicopter on a home at 6221 Osage Ave. following a long standoff with members of the black liberation group MOVE, who had barricaded themselves inside. Eleven people, including five children, were killed in the fire that followed the bombing. More than 50 neighboring homes were destroyed. Read more. 

Holiday Cheddar Cheese Ball

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 2 large balls (20 servings)

This festive holiday cheese spread is quick and simple to make and great for entertaining.

Ingredients

• 1 pound cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup Asiago cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons red bell pepper, diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

1. In a food processor, blend cream cheese until slightly fluffy. Add cheddar, Asiago, and garlic, and pulse until lightly blended.
2. Scoop cheese mixture into a small bowl and add the bell pepper, chives, parsley, and salt and pepper. Mix well.
3. Refrigerate mixture until cold, then form into balls.
4. Roll in extra chives, parsley, or diced bell pepper and allow to come to room temperature before serving.

Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop

Donate to Standing Rock at our register

Donate to Standing Rock at our register through Monday, December 19. Mariposa will be matching donations up to a total of $1,000.

Who are we donating to?

We will be sending donations to Sacred Stone Camp.

On April 1st, 2016, tribal citizens of the Standing Rock Lakota Nation and ally Lakota, Nakota, & Dakota citizens, under the group name “Chante tin’sa kinanzi Po” founded a Spirit Camp along the proposed route of the bakken oil pipeline, Dakota Access.

This Spirit Camp is called Iŋyaŋ Wakháŋagapi Othí, translated as Sacred Rock, the original name of the Cannon Ball, ND area (Cannon Ball is located in Sioux County, North Dakota and on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation). The Spirit Camp is dedicated to stopping and raising awareness around the Dakota Access pipeline, including the dangers associated with pipeline spills and the necessity to protect the water resources of the Missouri river.

What will the donations be used for?

While the donations are to be used by Sacred Stone as they see fit, there is an extended supply list, including legal fees and holistic medicinal items, that your donations could be used for.

Why are we donating?

The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) is proposed to transport as much as 570,000 barrels of crude oil per day from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota crossing the Missouri River twice, through Standing Rock reserve lands and sacred sites, on to South Dakota, Iowa, and Illinois.

The pipeline route threatens sites of historical and cultural significance to many Northern Plains tribes, including the Lakota, Dakota, Mandan, Arikara and Cheyenne, and has violated a series of Federal Regulations sought to protect the environment and Native American tribes.

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“The place where pipeline will cross on the Cannonball is the place where the Mandan [Native American tribe] came into the world after the great flood, it is also a place where the Mandan had their Okipa, or Sundance. Later, this is where Wisespirit and Tatanka Ohitika held sundances. There are numerous old Mandan, Cheyenne, and Arikara villages located in this area and burial sites. This is also where the sacred medicine rock [is located], which tells the future.”

— LaDonna Bravebull Allard (Lakota, Dakota)

“The dangers imposed by the greed of big oil on the people who live along the Missouri river is astounding. When this proposed pipeline breaks, as the vast majority of pipelines do, over half of the drinking water in South Dakota will be affected. How can rubber-stamping this project be good for the people, agriculture, and livestock? It must be stopped. The people of the four bands of Cheyenne River stand with our sister nation in this fight as we are calling on all the Oceti Sakowin or Seven Council Fires to do so with our allies, both native and non native in opposing this pipeline.”

— Joye Braun (Cheyenne River)

#NoDAPL Tweets

Additional Sources

Progress timeline

Sacred Stone donation resources

Federal Violations

Literature

Thanksgiving Leftovers: Wild Rice Soup with Turkey

Perfect for fall weather, simple to make and a delicious way to use up leftover turkey. For a vegetarian version, substitute seitan for the turkey and vegetable stock for the chicken broth.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Spanish onion, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups cooked wild rice, medium grain
• 1/2 cup carrots, grated
• 1 cup cooked turkey, shredded or chopped
• 1/4 cup almonds, slivered
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk or half and half

Preparation

1. In a large saucepan, melt better over medium heat. Saute onion 5-10 minutes, until soft.
2. Add flour and stir, then gradually whisk in stock to prevent lumps.
3. Add wild rice, carrots, turkey, almonds, and salt, and simmer 5 minutes.
4. Add milk or half and half and heat through.

Thanksgiving Leftovers: Turkey Hash

What to do with Thanksgiving meal leftovers? This turkey hash is perfect for any meal of the day. For a vegetarian version, simply skip the turkey or substitute it with veggie leftovers.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 1⁄2 cups diced roast turkey
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 cup diced red pepper
• 1 cup diced boiled or roasted potatoes
• 1 cup diced cooked butternut squash
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the onions and peppers for 6-8 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the spices and sauté for another minute. Add the potatoes, squash and turkey. Adjust the heat under the skillet to very hot. Slightly mash the mixture in the skillet and let it brown for several minutes before stirring. Slightly mash the mixture again, and let sit for another few minutes to continue browning thoroughly. Add the water and scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook another minute until the water is absorbed. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serving Suggestion

What a great way to use up your Thanksgiving meal leftovers! Serve the hash with fried eggs and smothered with turkey or mushroom gravy. Not a turkey lover? Make a vegetarian version using just leftover veggies.