I thought it fitting to get your juices (er, cider?:) flowing about the most popular fruit in America - Apples. This versatile fruit is thought to help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, type 2 diabetes and asthma. No wonder they say "An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away"!
Select apples that are firm and bruise free. Chilled properly, they should last about 90 days. When I was a kid, we always wrapped apples separately in newspaper and stored them in a horse tank in our cool basement. When one apple went bad, the ones around it were protected. There's another saying with much truth "One Bad Apple Spoils the Bunch". I know that refers to other things besides the fruit itself.
It's difficult to choose a few apple recipes to share. I have nearly 100 recipes using apples on my blog, so you may see more in upcoming columns.
EASY CINNAMON BAKED APPLES
For 6 Apples: Cream 1 stick butter, 3/4 c. brown sugar and 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Core each apple leaving bottom intact. Fill with creamed sugar mixture. Then divide 1/4 c. red hot candies evenly on top. Place in baking dish; pour 1 c. apple cider (or juice) in bottom of dish. Bake uncovered at 375 for 45 minutes. Or you could 'bake' them in your crockpot - 4 - 5 hours on low or 2 - 3 hours on high. They're sure to make your house smell wonderful.
This fabulous salad is addicting and so simple. A terrific dish for those needing to watch their sugar intake.
CARAMEL APPLE SALAD (Sugar free option)
1 (20 ozs) can (no sugar added) crushed pineapple, slightly drained
1 sm. (4-serving size) box (sugar free) butterscotch
pudding mix
1 (8 ozs) tub frozen (fat free) whipped topping, thawed
4 unpeeled apples, diced
1/2 c. dry roasted peanuts, chopped
Place pineapple in medium bowl. Stir in dry pudding mix and blend well. Add whipped topping, then stir in apples and nuts. (I prefer to add nuts on top as they tend to soften). Refrigerate until ready to serve. Best eaten within first day.
This is a deliciously crunchy salad recipe I found in a Gooseberry Patch Cookbook.
GRANDMA'S WALDORF SALAD
2 Gala apples, cored and diced
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and diced
1/2 c. chopped pecans or walnuts
1/2 c. celery, diced
1/3 c. sweetened dried cranberries
1/3 c. mayonnaise
a few sprinkles each of salt & sugar
Stir together all ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and chill until serving time.
Even some who think they don't like butterscotch go wild over this moist cake.
BUTTERSCOTCH APPLE CAKE
1-1/4 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 c. white sugar (I use 3/4 c.)
1/2 c. vegetable oil
(I use half applesauce)
2 eggs, beaten
2 c. peeled, chopped apple
1/2 c. pecans, chopped
1/2 c. butterscotch chips, divided
Preheat oven to 350. Grease an 8" square baking dish. In large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, soda, salt and cinnamon. Blend sugar, oil and eggs until smooth; stir wet mixture into dry and mix just until combined. Stir in the apples, pecans and 1/4 cup butterscotch chips.
Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle with remaining butterscotch chips. Bake 40 - 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Yield: 4 - 6 good-sized servings
One more fun fall idea - a healthy one even. Make "Pumpkin Oranges" and "Ghostly Bananas" for a fun treat. Peel mandarin oranges (or clementines), pith removed, then place a small stick of celery in it for the 'stem'. Push chocolate chips, upside down, into the banana, for a face. The kids will enjoy helping you!
"Winter is an etching, spring, a watercolor, summer, an oil painting and autumn, a mosaic of them all." ~Stanley Horowitz
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