Got Apples?

Well, if you haven't noticed, I'm pretty excited that Fall has finally arrived. What comes to mind when you think about Fall . . . apple pies, cider mills, apple spice candles . . .? The list could go on and on. However, what do all of those have in common? Apples!

Now is the perfect time to bite into juicy apples and maybe even use some as decor. My one suggestion would be to not let your apples waste away by sitting in a pretty bowl on the counter. There are a ton of great recipes to experiment with during the Fall season and I'm going to share with you a few that include apples as the main ingredient.

German Apple Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 4 apples, peeled, cored and sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1 pinch of salt
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• cinnamon-sugar mixture
• 2-3 teaspoons butter

Directions:

1. Cook apple slices in an oven-proof frying pan over medium heat with 2 tablespoons butter, until slices become tender. Turn with spatula occasionally.
2. Sift flour, sugar and salt into mixing bowl. Stir eggs and milk together and then blend with dry ingredients. Beat with wooden spoon until smooth.
3. Pour mixture over hot apple slices in the frying pan.
4. Place frying pan in 425 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.
5. Remove frying pan and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture, dot with remaining butter.
6. Bake for 5-7 more minutes. Serve immediately.

Spiced Apple Snack Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 1/2 cups peeled, cored apple slices
• Topping:
  
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and granulated sugar. Add shortening, egg and milk; beat with electric mixer until blended (about 1 1/2 minutes).
2. Spread the batter in a greased and floured 8-inch square baking pan. Arrange apple slices over the batter, sharp inner edges down, overlapping as needed.
3. Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle over apple slices.
4. Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes, until apples are tender and topping is browned.
5. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

Fried Apple Pies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 2 apples
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Peel and dice apples. Add sugar and cinnamon. Cook in a saucepan on low heat. Cook until soft, then mash with fork to form a thick applesauce.
2. Sift flour and salt together. Cut in the shortening. Add water and mix with fork.
3. Roll our to about 1/8 inch thick on a floured board. Cut with a large cookie cutter (4 inches in diameter).
4. In each round, place 1 heaping tablespoon of fruit. Moisten edges with cold water, fold and press edge with a fork.
5. Heat oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Fry pies, a few at a time, 2 to 3 minutes on each side; cook until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar.

Apple Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

• 4 cups olive oil
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1 cup cider vinegar
• 1 cup lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons lavender herb mix (1 cup lavender, 1 cup rosemary, 1/2 cup thyme, 1/2 cup oregano, 1/4 cup sage, 1 cup parsley)
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives
• Salt and Pepper (to taste)
• Sugar (to taste)

Directions:

1. Combine all and shake together.
   

Apple Chutney

Ingredients:

• 3 apples, peeled, sliced and cored
• 1/4 cup diced sweet onion
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon ground clove
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt (to taste)
• 1/4 cup apple juice
• 1/4 cup sherry
• 4 tablespoons butter

Directions:

1. Heat butter in pan, sweat onions until translucent.
2. Add apples, cinnamon stick, clove, sugar and bay leaf.
3. Cook until apples start to soften.
4. Add apple juice and sherry. Reduce mixture on a low heat until thick.
5. Season with salt to taste.

And of course, my all-time favorite, rustic apple tart

Now, there are countless more recipes where these came from but I thought I would share a few unique recipes. What's your favorite recipe that uses apples?

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