An Apple A Day

Little delay since the last time I've posted, but I've been busy scowering the internet for the perfect Christmas gifts, its November 18th and I'm about 75% done. I love to shop early, which may be a problem in the future when I have kids and "Santa" can't find places to hide all the presents for 6 weeks... but for now, it works.

Anyway, I had an apple the other night from the grocery store and it was SO good! I wanted to post a few of my favorite apple recipes -'tis the season!

Apple Slaw
Serve this with pork tenderloin, crab cakes, or as a side salad at a party













Ingredients

• 2 cups thin-sliced Granny Smith (or mix of Granny Smith and Gala) apple strips
• 1 cup thin-sliced jicama strips
• 1 cup shredded red cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
  
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• salt
• pepper

Recipe

1. To make the dressing, whisk together brown sugar, vinegar, and oil.
2. Mix apples, jicama, cabbage and carrots together, pour dressing over the top.
   
3. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Apple Caramel Oatmeal Bars
Serve chilled, or warm with vanilla bean ice cream













Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups quick cooking oats
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/4 cups butter, melted
• 1 jar caramel ice cream topping

Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease two 8x8 pans
2. Combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda. Stir in the melted butter. Mix until crumbly. Press half of this mixture into the prepared baking pans. (Reserve the other half for later). Bake for 8 minutes in preheated oven.
3. Peel and slice the apples and spread them evenly over the baked crust. Pour the caramel filling over the apples and crumble the remaining crust mixture on the top.
   
4. Bake again for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
   

Hot Apple Cider Toddy
Serve this as the first drink when people come in from to the cold!













Ingredients

• whiskey or brandy
• hot apple cider
• 1 stick butter
• 2 tsps cinnamon
• 1 tsp sugar
  
• apple slices
  
• cinnamon sticks

Recipe

1. Soften butter, mix in cinnamon and sugar, place in the center of a square of wax paper, roll up and refrigerate until hard again (do this the night before serving).
   
2. Place a small slice of the cinnamon/sugar butter in the bottom of a mug or glass.
3. Pour in 2 ounces whiskey or brandy, and fill with warm cider (heat the cider in a large pot on the oven and keep warm)
4. Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick