Today was my coworkers birthday and all she wanted was an apple cheesecake that currently isn't in season, so I decided to make my own version. I found some over complicated cheesecakes recipes that would take hours to make with all of the prep and baking...the version I came up with only took an hour! Everyone at work loved the pie, the birthday girl proclaimed it was her new favorite pie, and my husband stole the small piece I tried to save for a later treat! Follow the steps below to make your own amazing Caramel Apple Crisp Cheesecake Pie!! 

Ingredients
•Pre-made Graham Cracker Crust

Cheesecake:
•2 8oz package softened cream cheese
•2 tbsp corn starch
•¼ cup brown sugar
•¼ cup white sugar
•2 tsp vanilla extract
•½ tsp cinnamon  

Apple Crisp Topping:
•¼ cup all purpose flour
•¼ cup rolled oats
•¼ cup brown sugar
•½ tsp cinnamon
•2 tbsp melted butter
•2 medium to large apple, peeled and thinly sliced
•Caramel Topping, if desired  

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350F.
   
   
2. In the bowl of your electric mixer blend together cream cheese, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch and vanilla.
   
   
3. Once well combined, pour on top of your graham cracker crust.
   
   
4. To start your apple layer, arrange the thinly sliced apple on top of the cheesecake in a single layer.
   
   
5. Top with the Apple Crisp Topping. Bake at 350F for 40-50 minutes.
   
   
6. Once it's done cooking, cool for 15 minutes, then refrigerate overnight.
   
   

I'm not a fan of the canned refried beans, maybe it is how they look when they come out of the can and I defiantly don't have time to make them from scratch. This is a super easy way to make delicious refried beans and they go perfectly with my Spanish rice recipe!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• 2 (15 ounce) cans pinto beans
• 1 teaspoon cumin

• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• salt to taste
• 1/2 lime, juiced

Directions

1. Heat canola oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat.
2. Cook garlic cloves in hot oil, turning once, until brown on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes.
3. Smash garlic cloves in skillet with a fork.
4. Stir pinto beans, cumin, chili powder, and salt into mashed garlic and cook until beans are thoroughly heated, about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
5. Smash bean mixture with a potato masher to desired texture. Squeeze lime juice over smashed beans and stir until combined.

Years ago I got fed up with the horrible box versions of Spanish rice so I asked some of my coworkers how they made theirs. Once I tried their recipes we were permanently hooked! I have tweaked the recipe over time and it's ready only in a matter of minutes!
Cook time 25 minutes, Serves 8 people

Ingredients:

1 tbsp Butter
1 Cup Minute White Rice
1 Cup Water
½ Can Tomato Sauce
2 tbsp Corr de tomato seasoning
2-3 tbsp Salsa

Directions:

MELT butter in large pan. Mix in rice and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in water, tomato sauce, seasoning, and salsa. Turn temperature on med-low and stir occasionally. Ready when rice is soft.

What goes better with fresh lime margaritas, but a frozen version of key lime pie! This super easy dessert only take minutes to make and after its chilled is the perfect way to end a hot summer day

Ingredients
     2 Cups Vanilla Ice Cream
     ½ Small packaged of Lime Jell-O
     1 Graham Cracker Pie Crust
     Whipped Cream
     Lime Zest

Instructions
     Melt the 2 cups of vanilla ice cream in the microwave. Mix in the lime Jell-O and pour into the pie crust. Freeze until the lime ice cream is firm. Top with whip cream and lime zest. Remember to let it sit for a few minutes before cutting and serving.

Oh and watch out for brain freeze!

Ingredients
     6 chicken breasts
     2 limes, juiced
     2 cups cilantro
     4 minced garlic cloves
     2 tsp cumin
     2 tsp chipotle powder
     Salt and pepper to taste
     *1/2 cup chicken broth for freezer meal.

Instructions

1. If making right away, divide ingredients into two (if serving more than four), place one part in the crock pot and the other in a large freezer bags. See Freezer Meal Instructions below for further details.
2. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, until chicken shred easily. Serve on tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Freezer Meal Instructions

1. If making for freezer meals, divide ingredients into two and place into two large freezer bags.
2. Add ¼ cup of chicken broth in each bag, label and seal. Place in freezer until ready to prepare.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, until chicken shred easily. Serve on tortillas with your favorite toppings.

It's 5 O'clock somewhere and that means it's margarita time! Don't get me wrong I was a fan of the pre-made margarita mix for a long time, but after I started to try to read the labels I had to put the bottle back! We are still trying to only purchase food where we can read all of the label and there were just too many "long technical" words for my taste. Speaking of taste the alternate recipe that I came up was amazing! Now I'm going to have a hard time going to a Mexican restaurant and having one of theirs made with pre-made mix!!! Time for the Fiesta!!
                     
​Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups gold tequila
• 3/4 cup Triple Sec
• 3/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 8 cups crushed ice
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 6 lime wedges

PreparationCombine tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and 2 tablespoons sugar in large pitcher; stir to dissolve sugar. Add crushed ice. Mix salt and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in shallow bowl. Moisten rim of 6 Margarita glasses with lime wedge. Holding each glass upside down, dip rim into sugar-salt mixture. Pour Margarita into glasses. Garnish with lime wedges.

Next month some very exciting things are happening for Oak Tree Junction. I am both nervous and excited! This site has become my passion and I want to continue to grow that passion. I hope with the things coming up next month will take Oak Tree Junction to the next level. I can’t tell you much more, but look for sneak peaks!