Apples, apples, apples! So many to choose from and so little
time. So which is your favorite? Red Delicious are one of the
most popular eating apples, and Golden Delicious run a close
second. They're both crispy and sweet, perfect for kids' lunches
or an after-school snack.
Other apples are more tart and better for cooking and baking.
Some of our family's favorites are McIntosh, Gala, Fuji,
Braeburn, Jonathon, and Granny Smith. All make great pies,
breads, muffins, and applesauce.
So where should you store your apples? In a cool dark place. A
good place is in the refrigerator in a well covered container (to
keep them from drying out). Make sure to handle your apples
gently to avoid bruising.
Roadside apple stands are a sure sign of autumn. Apple cider,
apple pie, apple crisp, I just can't get enough. Enjoy them
while they're in season for the best selection and prices, and
try a couple of these recipes to enjoy them to their fullest.
Apple Crisp
4 c. tart apples, sliced
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. brown sugar (packed)
3/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 c. flour
1/3 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. rolled oats
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease an 8x8-in. baking dish.
Arrange apples in the pan. In a medium-sized bowl, mix remaining
ingredients with a fork. Sprinkle on top of apples. Bake for
about 30 minutes, until apples are tender and topping is brown.
Apple Bread
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/4 cups oil
2 apples, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 teaspoon baking soda
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together all
ingredients until well blended. Pour batter into 2 greased loaf
pans. Bake for about 1 hour.
Baked Apples
Baking apples, uniform in size
1 to 2 tbsp. brown sugar per apple
1/2 tsp. butter per apple
1 tbsp. raisins per apple (optional)
Cinnamon or nutmeg
Conventional oven:
Select some good baking apples that are uniform in size. Wash
apples and remove the cores, but do not cut all the way down to
the bottom of the apples. Peel the upper third of the stem ends
of the apples. Place apples in a deep baking dish and put brown
sugar and butter in the center of each apple. Sprinkle with
cinnamon or nutmeg. Pour 1 c. water around the apples (or to
a depth of 1/2 inch). Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350
degrees for 45 to 60 minutes. Serve warm or cold.
Microwave:
Wash and core apples. Cut a thin slice of apple off of the stem
end. Make a shallow slit around the circumference of the apple
about 1 inch from the bottom to keep the skin from shrinking
while cooking. Place brown sugar, butter, raisins, and cinnamon
or nutmeg in each apple. Place in a glass baking dish and cover
with waxed paper. Microwave on high 6 to 10 minutes or until
tender.
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About The Author
Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom who is the author of
What's for Dinner?, an e-cookbook containing more than 250 quick
easy dinner ideas. For recipes, tips to organize your home, home
decorating, crafts, and frugal family fun, visit Creative
Homemaking at http://www.creativehomemaking.com and Suite 101 at
http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/creative_homemaking. To
subscribe to their monthly newsletter send a blank e-mail message
to FreeRecipes-subscribe@egroups.com.
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