“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” We’ve all heard this one over and over. There are many reasons to believe it may be true. I’m keeping my list of benefits for another day, but promise I’ll share. I learned this week that the saying originally was: “An apple before going to bed makes the doctor beg his bread.”
I’m not so sure I would like an apple before bed, but there are many ways to eat them throughout the day, and the season is here! Apples are in abundance this year, too. I know, it’s difficult to tell by the prices in the grocery store. If you’ve been blessed to obtain some of this year’s wonderful crop, here are a few ideas for cooking with them. (And, TN readers, remember Bulk Natural Foods*. There are still orders coming up which will include apples. They are delivered to pick up locations all over the state. Apples are sold by the bushel and are about 55 cents a pound. Too many for you? Find a friend and go in together.)
When I think of Autumn and fresh apples, my mom and grandmother’s ‘Apfelkuchen’ tops the list. Now they were both those old fashioned cooks that rarely wrote down a recipe. So, instead of giving you the “handful of this and dash of that” recipe, I’ve wandered around cyberland and found a few websites with great fresh apple recipes. Many have my mouth watering. With 2 bushels on hand, I know I’ll try several. I’ll can a bunch of applesauce, too.
Live Better America — Easy Recipes with Apples (12 yummy recipes here — even caramel apples on the grill.)
31 Favorite Apple Recipes from Cooking Light (I was especially drawn to the apple, feta cheese, and pecan pizza.)
How about Apple Stuffed Chicken Breast, A Groovy Green Smoothies (yes, with apples), or Apple Bacon Tomato Soup? Check out Allrecipes.com’s extensive collection of apple recipes.
As mentioned, I’ll be cooking up a bunch of applesauce. The recipe I use most often is Almost Unsweetened Applesauce. Mine is more typically sweetened with raw sugar; and I may use a tad more than the recipe suggests. Also, I like it cinnamony! Play with the proportions to suit your taste buds.
The Spoonful site has a variety of apple recipes, too. A few — like Caramel Apple Monsters — will particularly appeal to the children in your life.
There’s always apple pie, apple muffins, apple cobbler and the rest of the yummy apple dessert collections. Each of these sites includes many main and side dishes, but they also feature the dessert apple recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth, and many are incredibly appealing!
Gather a few apples and savor the season…..
*Just a note: I am not being paid by Bulk Natural Foods. I do love getting their wonderful seasonal selections, my home is a volunteer host home, and I am just happy to share the blessing with you.
