Apple Chips

Healthy snacks...is it really a snack if it's healthy?

It doesn't seem like it. Snacking is my downfall.

Pretzels, candy, cookies, pretty much anything on the counter can end up in my stomach during the afternoon.

I've been trying to find healthy snacks. I like dried fruit, but it is so expensive!

Here are my apple chips - a tasty snack - and a good way to use up some of the 10 lbs of apples I bought on sale a couple weeks ago.

I'm such a sucker for sales.

Apple Chips a la Martha Stewart (1 serving (about 20 chips), 3 hours)

1 apple, unpeeled (preferably Granny Smith or Ida Red)
1 c sugar
1 c water
1/2 TB oil

1. Preheat oven to 175. Combine sugar and water in medium saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, until sugar is dissolved. Meanwhile, core and halve apple. Slice into almost paper-thin pieces using knife or mandolin.

2. Place 5-6 apple slices in sugar water. Simmer for 20 seconds. Remove with slotted spoon and place on wire rack to drain. Repeat with remaining apple slices.

3. Lightly brush 1 baking sheet with oil. Arrange apples in single layer. Bake apples until crisp, about 2 1/2 - 3 hours.

Notes:
*Store chips in airtight container for up to 2 days.
*You can double this recipe by using two apples. You do not need to increase the sugar water solution when doubling the recipe.

VERDICT:
Cost: Storemade: $2.98 for a bag (3 servings), Homemade: $0.10 for 1 serving

Overall:
Homemade apple chips are a satisfying snack. These chips are sweet, yet retain some of the tartness of Granny Smith apples. I was impressed with how the chips did not curl or discolor. In the future, I would make more apples at the same time to make the process more worthwhile. Plus, these are definitely cheaper than storemade chips!

My inspiration: Martha Stewart's Healthy Quick Cook Book (but mine don't look quite as nice as hers)

Today's Lesson: Always cook with contacts in or glasses on. Otherwise you might end up putting in only 1/3 the amount of flour needed for chocolate chip muffins and 3 times the amount of lemon juice needed for an apple pie. The muffins turn into buttery, sugary blobs. The pie tastes more like lemons than apples.

You will not be getting either of those recipes.