The Red Kitchen Recipes: All about Apples

(lead photo: Erika Colbertaldo)

Entry Four: Let's talk apples

While pumpkin season grips the nation, central New York boasts loud and proud of the apples that are ripe for picking in Autumn. With more than twenty kinds of apples available in a spattering of pick-your-own orchards across the state, it can be overwhelming to know which ones work best. (Or check out Newshouse's guide.) But just know, whether you’re dicing them up to smother in cinnamon or eating them raw as an on-the-go snack, apples are a delicious, healthy, low-cal treat, packed with Vitamin C and fiber—and one apple counts as one cup of fruit!

Moist Apple Bread (adapted from food.com)

Jill’s Note: for a lighter but still amazing treat, substitute shortening for applesauce

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups apples, chopped and pared (about 4 medium)
1/2 cup nuts, chopped
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Heat over to 350 and grease and flour loaf pan.
Cream together the 1 cup sugar, shortening, eggs and vanilla.
Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt until smooth.
Stir in apples and nuts and spread in pan.
Mix the 1 tablespoon sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle evenly over batter.
Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 50-60 minutes.
Immediately remove from pan; cool bread completely before slicing.
Store tightly covered. Makes 1 loaf.
Note: Unbleached flour can be used in this recipe; if using self-rising flour, omit baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Apple Chips

Jill’s note: add some autumn/winter sweet spices with the cinnamon for extra oomph!

Apples, cut very thinly

Cinnamon

Brown Sugar

Apple chips are an amazing snack! They’re also very quick and easy to make. Cut a few apples very thinly and lay out in a single layer atop parchment paper. Sprinkle with some brown sugar and cinnamon, pop in the oven at 225 for about 2 hours—and enjoy!

Apple Butter (from Changing my Destiny)

Jill’s notes: a great alternative to jams and actual butter!

1 dozen apples, peeled, cored, cubed

1/2 Cup Water

1/4 Cup Brown Sugar

1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon All Spice

Peel, Core, and Chop a dozen apples. Toss the apples in the sugar and spices.

Put everything in the Crockpot, set on low, and cook overnight.In the morning, stir apples, let simmer for a little longer, then increase heat. To smooth it out, you can blend what remains.