Food of the Month; Apples

This month, I'm doing that beloved classic, apples!

Think of all the teachers I could give these to!

Yes, I know it's a cliche, but it fits! Apples are in season anywhere from as early as mid-July to as late as late October, depending on variety. Typically, they are seen as an autumn fruit, and here in the states are commonly associated with school as many varieties are in season when school starts for us....Ok, it might also have something to do with being commonly accepted as the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge, but some believe that it was actually a fig or pomegranate anyway. Apples are loaded with fiber, vitamin C, and anti-oxidants, and are an O.K source of potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin B6. Your average, medium apple only contains about 80 calories, making it a good low calorie snack, not to mention their taste!

The apples I bought are New York State apples. I know, I know, I should buy them from NJ, but these weren't a bad price for a huge bag, and I needed a large bag for what I have planned later this week! (No spoilers!) While I was at it, I also got myself a nice large carton of apple cider, one of my favorite drinks!

Ok, I think I'm all set on apples.

While apples are common and most people know how to work with them, here's a quick overview to help you take full advantage of apple season!

1. Apples can easily be water-bath canned, to preserve the harvest for later months. Just remember to use a tried-and-true recipe!
2. Apples can be used in a variety of baked goods, both as a  filling (Apple pie and apple danishes, for instance) or made into apple sauce and mixed into breads, cakes, and treats, much like pumpkin puree.
3. Apples can also be used in savory dishes, such as with pork chops (A classic!) or in soups and stews.
4. Apples and cheese make a great pairing. The classic pair is apple and cheddar, but apple and brie and apple and Gouda (Particularly aged Gouda) are also great combinations.
5. Also, remember to use apple cider! Apple cider can be used in BBQ sauces, as a component in salad dressings, in desserts, and, well, almost anything you can add a liquid to! Try your hand at making some classic apple cider doughnuts!
6. Instead of bread with fondue, you can dip apples instead (And other fruits and vegetables. I'm partial to potato myself)
7. Use grated apple in cole slaw for a sweet twist, or cube it and use in chicken salad.
8. Thinly slice apple and bake them to make apple chips. Apple chips are great dipped in peanut butter.
9. Try making sandwiches using apple rounds instead of bread, as seen here. Obviously, you can get a bit creative with it.
10. Speaking of sandwiches, apples would taste good in a peanut butter, nutella, almond butter, or cashew butter sandwich. Or, in a ham and brie sandwich. Or in a grilled cheese, with cheddar!
11. Use in a salsa with mango and other fruits.
12. Grill 'em, since, you know, everything is better grilled.
13. Of course, you can always slice them up and use them in salads.
14. Applesauce can be used as a replacement for sugar in baked goods. Simply cut the sugar in half, and replace it with the same amount of apple sauce plus 1/3 more, as this blogger suggests.
15. Try making homemade cider syrup. Most recipes call for boiling with sugar, corn starch and syrup, however I want to try my hand at simply boiling cider down without adding sugar, like the cider syrup you get at the store.
16. Try using apple cider in place of water for oatmeal.
17. You could always just eat apples as are, of course.
18. If you are in to home brewing, why not try your hand at making hard cider? Cider is actually fairly simple to make at home, requiring only apples, yeast, nutrients for yeast, and sugar, all fermented in a vapor locked tank.

Of course, you could probably find many more uses for apples, and since this is such a versatile ingredient, try experimenting with it as much as possible, coming up with your own creative uses for it. Look forward to seeing all my little apple projects!

- Lots and lots of love

Kat