Maple-Fried Apples & Maple-Mustard Pork Tenderloin

Double maple-icious! ... Maple-Mustard Pork Tenderloin and Maple-Fried Apples go fabulously together.

Since moving to The South, I've learned that we fry everything down here.  The classic -- fried okra, fried green tomatoes, fried turkey.  The new-to-me-but-I-love-it -- fried squash, fried pickles.  And the okay-who-thought-of-that? -- fried Oreos.  Yes, one of the little local cafes I frequent serves fried Oreos as a dessert. {Oh, and it's totally fabulous! ... in case you were wondering.}

And all these fried things are typically deep-fried.  Ya know, in all kinds of smokin' hot oil that the food-of-choice is completely submerged in until it's a crunchy golden brown, oh-so-delicious-but-no-so-great-for-you bite.

So, when I encountered 'fried apples' on a menu one day, ...

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Gingerbread Vampire Cookies

Who says gingerbread cookies are just for Christmas?  These gingerbread men have donned vampire costumes for Halloween!  Whip up a batch of these adorable Gingerbread Vampire Cookies to bring some extra fun to your Halloween festivities.

 

Who says gingerbread men are just for Christmas?  Not these guys.  These gingerbread men cookies have put on their vampire costumes for Halloween!

I wish I could take credit for this clever idea ... but alas, I cannot. 

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Vermont Maple No-Bake Cookies

Classic no-bake cookies get an extra special twist in these Vermont Maple No-Bake Cookies.  They're pure Vermont maple deliciousness!

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I am a huge fan of maple syrup.  Pure Vermont maple syrup, to be exact.  As many of you already know, I grew up in Vermont.  Since moving to North Carolina (eighteen years ago after finishing college), I still have Vermont maple syrup shipped to me from my favorite Vermont sugar shack.  For me, there's just no substitute.

So when I had the opportunity to try Tonewood Maple's syrup, ...

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Nutella Waffles

Yummy Nutella waffles ... for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. How about a Nutella waffle sundae, anyone?

It's been a big couple of weeks here at The Kitchen is My Playground, with this little slice of blogland reaching two pretty cool milestones.  At least I think they're pretty cool!

So what are these cool milestones, you ask?  Well, please allow me to share ...

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Super Easy Tootsie Pop Ghosts

Can you tie a shoelace?  Then you can make these super easy Tootsie Pop ghosts!  Great as fun & simple Halloween treats, favors, and decorations.  And a great Halloween craft for the little ones.

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To be honest ... I'm not a Halloween fan.  I think it may have something to do with the fact that I broke my nose on Halloween when I was five years old.  Falling down the stairs wearing my costume we'd made in Kindergarten class.  'Cause I couldn't see the steps over the top of the costume.  'Cause the costume was made out a big cardboard box. 

Yep, missed the top step. ...

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