Just Trolling

October 31, 2022

Horror is not my first genre of choice nor area of expertise. For that, you should really be following Video Creep, videographer, comedian, and horror professional. With his guidance, I’ve picked out the perfect entertainment for your Halloween evening: Troll 2.

What is Troll 2 about?

Described by some as the “best worst movie” and “most disrespected horror films in recent history,” Troll 2 is not going to keep you awake at night. It’s not even going to make you remotely uneasy. The basic premise is laughable right from the start, seeing as there are no trolls to be found during the entire 95-minute runtime, only goblins. It’s also worth noting that it has nothing to do with the preceding movie, Troll, which has only marginally better reviews.

Without spoiling anything, one of the key features is green goop being offered at every meal, which no one seems to find suspicious. Unfortunately, just one bite will turn people into their own sort of human sludge, which is then fed to the hungry goblins.

Naturally, it’s the food element that I find most captivating. Between the implausible story line and iconic acting, the goblin goop is a standout success in terms of execution. I didn’t pity the people that were dumb enough to miss all the warning signs and thoughtlessly indulge in their own demise. Quite the contrary, I envied the goblins; I’ll have what they’re having.

Join me in feeding your inner goblin with the finest human goo that plant-based ingredients have to offer. It’s every bit as nutritious as dissolved people, but without all the fat and gristle! Besides, no one has time for that kind of messy cleanup. Save yourself the hassle of ensnaring and poisoning your own middle class nuclear family, and let’s pull out the blender instead, shall we?

A base of frozen mango and banana creates a naturally sweet, creamy, and subtly tropical foundation bright spices. Turmeric adds a bold sunny yellow hue that harmonizes brilliantly with ginger and cinnamon. The real crowning jewel is the swirl of green goo, of course. This comes in the form of fluid gel made from green juice and agar.

What is a fluid gel?

Despite the fancy molecular gastronomy term, it’s really a very simple concept: Set any fluid with a thickener, then blend it to break down the structure into a substance that straddles the line between liquid and solid, AKA, goo.

What’s the best green juice?

You can make your own green juice from scratch, or buy bottled green juice at the grocery store. I’d suggest going with the latter for the sake of simplicity. A subtly sweet blend with a mix of fruits and vegetables is my preference here to pair with the smoothie itself, particularly if pineapple is involved. Top mainstream brands include:

At the heart of it, Troll 2 is a movie made for the plant-based crowd. The goblins were vegetarian, after all, so the only way they could enjoy their human feasts was by turning them into inert substance. Let’s raise a glass to these visionaries that were ahead of their time. Cheers, and Happy Halloween!

Yield: Makes 1 - 2 Servings

Troll 2-Inspired Smoothie

Feed your inner goblin with a smoothie inspired by the movie Troll 2. It looks just like people goo, but tastes much better.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Additional Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

Fluid Gel (Green Goo):

1 Cup Green Juice
1 Teaspoon Agar Powder

Smoothie:

1 Banana, Sliced and Frozen
1 Cup Cubed Mango, Frozen
1 - 2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
1 Teaspoon Ground Turmeric
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
3/4 Cup Vanilla Non-Dairy Milk

Instructions

Prepare the fluid gel first so it has time to set. Place the green juice and agar in a medium saucepan over medium heat and whisk well. Continue stirring until it comes to a boil, then cook for one minute. Remove from the heat and transfer to a small bowl. It will still be thin and liquid at this point. Cool to room temperature before placing it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
Transfer the block of gelled green juice to your blender and puree, scraping down the sides of the canister as needed. Pour it to the bowl once completely smooth and rinse out the blender.
For the smoothie, place the banana, mango, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and non-dairy milk in the clean blender. Puree on high speed until smooth. Add the remaining tablespoon of maple syrup if you'd like a sweeter smoothie and blend to incorporate.
To assemble, alternate between the smoothie base and dollops of the fluid gel until you fill 1 or 2 glasses and use up both components. Use a long spoon or straw to swirl gently and serve right away.

Recommended Products

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 289Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 91mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 6gSugar: 54gProtein: 6g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.

The post Just Trolling appeared first on BitterSweet.

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The Recipe Critic

Fruit Charcuterie Board

October 30, 2022

You will love the vibrant colors of all your favorite fruits beautifully displayed together on a fruit charcuterie board. Serve this as a perfect side dish or dessert alongside a creamy fruit dip at your next party!

I love serving this show-stopping fruit charcuterie with any meal, but my favorite way to serve it is with breakfast. The fresh juicy fruit is always a crowd-pleaser in the morning for guests. It would be perfect alongside this breakfast casserole, these easy cinnamon rolls, and a side of bacon.

Overhead view of the fruit charcuterie board. A tan kitchen towel and extra fruit is scattered around the board.

What is a Fruit Charcuterie Board?

I love a good charcuterie board because it visually draws in your guests! It’s the best mixture of sweet ripe fruit. Every bite is a different fruit, and every bite is sweet and juicy! The best fresh fruit charcuterie boards are made with fruit that is in season.

Everyone loves charcuterie boards because they are bursting with so many different tastes and textures! There are endless possibilities, from citrus to berries to tropical fruits like pineapple and papaya. Any type of fruit you can get your hands on will work, be creative as you want. Serve your fruit charcuterie board with this fluffy fruit dip, this strawberry dip, or this incredible cheesecake dip.

Fruit Ideas For Your Charcuterie Board

Everyone LOVES this fruit charcuterie board! Feel free to use as many fresh fruits as you would like. Here is a large list of ideas that you can choose from for your board. Your guests will keep coming back to the delicious fruit board because of all the perfectly ripe and tasty fruits!

Pineapple: Sliced in half and the rest cut into chunks.
Green and Red Grapes: I like to leave some whole and some still on the vine.
Mango: Cut into chunks or slice it up!
Blueberries: Left whole with stems removed.
Raspberries: Left whole with stems removed.
Kiwi: I love to cut kiwis in fun shapes!
Blackberries: Left whole with stems removed.
Strawberries: I like to serve some whole and some halved or sliced.
Star Fruit: The shape is perfect for fruit charcuterie boards.
Kumquat: The tart and sour flavor of the kumquat is fun to add to the sweet fruit.
Pink Dragonfruit: The prettiest color of fruit there ever was!
Oranges: Sliced or cut into wedges.
Fruit Dip: I love my fruit dip, but feel free to use yogurt or whipped cream.

The Recipe Critic Recommendation

Wood Charcuterie Board

Belvedere Large Round Acacia Wood Cutting Board

Circular shape and natural wood color, perfect for entertaining!

CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK

Let’s Make the Best Fruit Appetizer

Making this simple fruit charcuterie board is so fun and easy! I like to display the fruit using different shapes and sizes to make it visually beautiful. Everyone loves the pineapple leaves left on it because it adds interest and texture. This board will be the star of our next party or get-together!

Slice and Place the Pineapple: Slice a pineapple in half and scoop out the center. Set on a large round wood board or platter.
Wash and Prepare the Fruit: Wash and dry the fruit, then slice, peel, or cut the fruit into desired shapes.
Arrange the Fruit: Arrange the fruit around the pineapple and fill the pineapple with some fruit. Display the fruit in colorful sections and distribute it throughout the board.
Prepare the Dip: Make the fruit dip by following the linked recipe, then spoon it into a pretty bowl. I sprinkled it with cinnamon to make it even prettier. Place it onto the board and enjoy dipping!

Close overhead view of the kiwi, pineapple, berries, starfruit, orange slices, and fruit dip on the charcuterie board.

Charcuterie Board Variations

The best part about making a fresh fruit charcuterie board is that there are so many different fruits to use! It’s fun to get creative because you can use any fruit you have access to. Here are a few ideas about how you can change it up to make it your own!

Serve With Any Meal: Fruit charcuterie boards can be used for any occasion or meal. Make it a dessert by serving it with melted chocolate or chocolate fondue. I also love to add granola and yogurt to the fruit board and serve it at brunch.
Make It Festive For Any Occasion: You can make one for a holiday as I did with this Christmas wreath charcuterie! Simply arrange your fruit in a wreath shape and add some leaves and ornaments to make it festive. You can also scatter pomegranate seeds or cranberries for the holidays.
Shapes and Colors: When making a fruit charcuterie board, use a lot of different shapes, colors, and textures! Cut your fruit into shapes, or hollow out large melons or fruits to use as a bowl. You can see I did just that with the pineapple, but watermelon is also fun to use.
More Dip Ideas: Use yogurt or whipped cream for more dipping options.
Add Cheese Or Nuts: It’s fun to add cheeses and nuts to the board because it pairs so well with fruit.

Close overhead view of the grapes, kumquat, dragonfruit, berries, pineapple, and orange slices on the charcuterie board.

Storing Fruit

This fruit charcuterie board is easy to prep the day before your event. Most fruits can be sliced, covered, and stored separately in the fridge up to 24 hours in advance. Cut fruits like bananas and apples right before serving because they brown quickly.

In the Refrigerator: If you have any leftover fruit and dip, cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can make the dip a couple of days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Give the fruit dip a stir before serving.

Close overhead view of the sliced whole pineapple filled with pineapple chunks and berries. The rest of the fruit is scattered around the pineapple with fruit dip on the side.

Charcuterie Boards For Holidays

If you love this fruit charcuterie for summertime, you’ll love making them for every season. It’s so fun to make charcuterie boards year round and for every holiday. I have you covered for your next holiday party!

Appetizers

Fall Charcuterie Board

Appetizers

Valentine’s Charcuterie Board

Appetizers

Halloween Charcuterie Board

Appetizers

Christmas Wreath Charcuterie

Fruit Charcuterie

You will love the vibrant colors of all your favorite fruits beautifully displayed together on a fruit charcuterie board. Serve this as a perfect side dish or dessert at your next party alongside a creamy fruit dip!

Course Appetizer, Dessert, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword fruit charcuterie, Fruit Charcuterie Board

Prep Time 20 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 20

Calories 78kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

Fruit:

Pineapple
Green and Red Grapes
Mango
Blueberries
Raspberries
Kiwi
Blackberries
Strawberries
Star Fruit
Kumquat
Pink Dragonfruit
Oranges
Fruit Dip

Instructions

Slice a pineapple in half and scoop out the center. Set on a large round wood board or platter.
Wash and dry the fruit, then slice, peel, or cut the fruit in desired shapes.
Arrange the fruit around the pineapple and fill the pineapple with some fruit. Display the fruit in colorful sections and distribute it throughout the board.
Make the fruit dip by following the linked recipe, and spoon it into a pretty bowl. I sprinkled it with cinnamon to make it even prettier. Place it onto the board and enjoy for dipping!

Nutrition

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Skinnytaste

Apple Pie Overnight Oats

October 29, 2022

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

This cozy Apple Pie Overnight Oats recipe with apples, cinnamon, maple syrup, oats, chia seeds and walnuts, tastes just like apple pie!

Apple Pie Overnight Oats

I’ve been making overnight oats for years. They’re healthy and full of fiber (10 grams!) which will keep you full for hours. This apple pie version is not just healthy, it’s also delicious! Have this for breakfast or as a healthy snack or dessert. You can double the recipe to make four for meal prep. You may also like my Overnight Oats with Blueberries and Bananas or Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats.

I’m excited to share another guest post from my friend Heather K. Jones. She’s a dietitian and the nutrition expert for the Skinnytaste Cookbooks, please welcome her…

Hi everyone, I’m Heather K. Jones. I’m a dietitian and the founder of Feel Better Eat Better, an online weight and wellness program for women who struggle with emotional eating, binge eating, overeating or body image issues—click RIGHT HERE to sign up for my FREE emotional eating workshop available right now!

About these Apple Pie Overnight Oats

If you love fall as much as I do, when your entire house smells like fall, then you’re going to go crazy for these Apple Pie Overnight Oats!

Having a pre-made healthy breakfast on hand always makes it so much easier to start the day off on the right foot, and these overnight oats are one my go-to recipes to help me do exactly that.

Using chopped apples simmered with maple syrup and cinnamon on the stovetop, takes this simple overnight oats recipe to the next level. I always make extra apples, because they’re so tasty and easy to prepare… and they make your house smell like a delicious and cozy autumn day.

My feel-good morning routine includes not only healthy foods, but also lots of healthy and uplifting thoughts. Try starting your day listening to my wellness affirmations RIGHT HERE. Affirmations do for the mind what exercise does for the body—they build your belief muscles!

You can serve these overnight oats warm or cold. Enjoy!

Are overnight oats healthy?

Yes, these apple pie overnight oats are healthy. With 10 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein per serving, this breakfast will help you feel full for longer and contributes to a slower blood glucose release. Oats also are an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, copper, thiamine and zinc. Oats also contain a type of soluble fiber called beta glucan, which lowers blood glucose and cholesterol levels, reducing risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Are oats overnight good for weight loss?

Yes, they are an easy and filling breakfast that are loaded with nutrient-rich ingredients (see above) that promote healthy weight loss.

Which is healthier: oatmeal or overnight oats?

Both are equally healthy, but it also depends on what you choose to put in your oats. Whole, real food ingredients, like the ones in this recipe, are always the best choice!

Do you eat overnight oats hot or cold?

The answer is both! I usually let them sit out on my counter for an hour while I go to the gym or get ready for my day to get the chill out. Some people like to heat them up in the microwave for a few minutes, it’s totally up to you.

How long do overnight oats last

To make this for meal prep, you can double or quadruple the recipe. You can leave them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Apple Pie Overnight Oats

361 Cals 8 Protein 59 Carbs 11 Fats

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

refrigeration time: 8 hrs

Total Time: 8 hrs 25 mins

This cozy Apple Pie Overnight Oats recipe with apples, cinnamon, maple syrup, oats, chia seeds and walnuts, tastes just like apple pie!

For the apples:

1 medium apple, chopped
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
Sea salt

For the oats:

1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk, or milk of your choice
2 teaspoons chia seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ tablespoon pure maple syrup
1 cup old fashioned oats, or gluten-free oats
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, for topping

For the apples:

Add the apples, cinnamon, maple syrup and a pinch of sea salt to small sauce pan over low heat.
Mix to combine then cover and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender.
Remove the lid, increase the heat to medium and cook an additional 2-3 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the apples and excess liquid evaporates.
Remove from the heat and set aside while you make the oats.

For the oats:

In a small bowl, add the milk, chia seeds, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup.
Add the oats and mix to combine.
Add 1/4 of the oat mixture to 2 mason jars or airtight containers (with lids).
Layer each evenly with ¼ of the apples then top each with an equal amount of the remaining oats and 1 tablespoon walnuts.
Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Oats may be eaten cold, at room temperature or warm.

Serving: 1jar, Calories: 361kcal, Carbohydrates: 59g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 154mg, Fiber: 10g, Sugar: 21g

Keywords: healthy breakfast recipes, high fiber breakfast, oatmeal recipe, Overnight Oats

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Recipe Girl®

Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip Muffins

October 29, 2022

These delicious, sweet and tender Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip Muffins have a good dose of spice and the amazing addition of cinnamon chips!

Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip Muffins are in my top ten list of favorite muffins to bake and enjoy. I love a good pumpkin muffin, and the cinnamon chips added in just makes them so incredible.

Grocery stores used to sell cinnamon chips near the chocolate chips. Some still do! I spot them in Walmart or Target once in a while (especially during the holidays). In fact, I just saw them there the other day! Otherwise, I order cinnamon chips in bulk online so I can make other things like cinnamon chip banana bread, cinnamon fudge and snickerdoodle pudding cookies.

Ingredients needed:

all purpose flour
baking powder, baking soda and salt
white sugar
pumpkin pie spice and ground cinnamon
eggs
unsweetened pumpkin purée
unsweetened applesauce
canola or vegetable oil
vanilla extract
cinnamon chips

How to make Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip Muffins:

The complete, printable recipe is at the end of this post.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray 18 muffin tin cups with nonstick spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients (through the pumpkin pie spice). In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, pumpkin, applesauce, oil and vanilla until well blended. Stir in dry ingredients and mix only until combined (do not over mix). Gently fold in cinnamon chips.

In a small bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon. Scoop the batter into muffin pans, and sprinkle tops with the cinnamon/sugar mixture.

HOT TIP: Use an ice cream scoop with a spring handle to scoop the batter into the muffin tins. It’s so easy and no mess!

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

They rise slightly, and they should be easy to pop out of your muffin pan once they’ve cooled off for a bit.

Let them cool completely on a baking rack.

These pumpkin cinnamon chip muffins freeze nicely. Just pop them into a large freezer zip baggie, and freeze up to three months. Take them out to defrost when you want to enjoy an incredible muffin. At room temperature, they’ll be fine for a few days. Enjoy!

The Best Muffin Recipes:

Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip Muffins

If you've never had cinnamon chips, it's about time you try them!

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword cinnamon chips, pumpkin, pumpkin muffins

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 18 minutes

Total Time 28 minutes

Servings 18 muffins (1 per serving)

Calories 212kcal

Author RecipeGirl.com