It’s Autumn, which naturally means it is apple season. We sometimes forget all of the wonderful things we can do with apples. Here’s a list in case your family goes apple-picking, and in your excitement you gather more than you can possibly eat right now.
1. Create a table decoration or centerpiece with apples. It can be as simple as placing green apples on a red Fiestaware plate or platter, or red apples on a green Fiestaware platter. Pile a variety of apples in a basket or bucket and set it on the table or kitchen island countertop for a splash of color or a quick grab-n-go treat. Sometimes the most simple decorations are the most practical and attractive.
2. Make apple butter. Check out October 2011 Goodhousekeeping Magazine pg. 182 for a good mild recipe made on the stove-top with lemon, brown sugar, and a cinnamon stick. Apple butter can be as spicy or mild as you choose to make it. It is wonderful spread on a slice of whole-grain toast, with a chunk of cheddar cheese, or even in a ham sandwich.
3. Branch out and craft caramel apples with grabbed-from-the-garden handles. Select branches that can be cut into 4 inch twigs. Whittle down one end into a sharp point and insert into a caramel topped apple. These little treats are perfect for an afternoon snack or for dessert at a Halloween party. A J.K. Adams wooden serving tray or the Takes Two board is wonderful for holding a dozen or so apples.
4. Have a sweet and savory supper. An all time fall favorite in our family is pork chops with sauteed sliced apples and onions. I peel and thinly slice 2-3 apples, and sautee them in 1 Tbs. of butter with thin slices from a medium sized onion. Push the apples and onions to the outsides of the skillet while pan-searing the porkchops. Top the cooked meat with the apples and onions for a flavor sensation everyone is sure to enjoy.
5. Juice them for Cider. If you have a juicer, there is nothing better than fresh apple juice or cider. We have a Hamilton Beach Juicer, but a Jack LaLane or any other electric juicer will work. Cut the apples into quarters (there’s no need to peel them or core them) and push them through the feed tube. We like to combine our fresh apple juice with Aspen Taste Mulling Spices to make a delicious hot apple cider. Aspen Mulling Spices are made in the U.S.A. in Aspen Colorado. Check out their website at www.aspenspices.com
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