Fried Apples

 461.  Apples are a must-have for me every day.  They are so versatile, good source of fiber and fructose and paired with cinnamon always makes them better.  The fried apple is a Southern food you can find in any southern and southern-themed restaurant on the menu. Even Dolly makes Fried Apples!

The beauty of Fried Apples is how they enhance any meal.  I make them to pair with french toast or pancakes at breakfast.  But, you can make them along with your dinner meal of chicken, pork or beef as a compliment.  Prepare them sweeter or make them tart to your liking.  Here is my version:

This is a simple addition and can elevate your meal.

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.”

~ Dolly Parton

Squash Soup

321.  Have you tried Panera's Squash Soup available each fall?  This soup is always a favorite of mine, on the same level as "psl's" for others. (That's "pumpkin spiced latte's"😉)
Though, once December came, this yummy soup disappeared off the menu.  So I thought to myself, "How hard could this soup be to make?"  So I decided to try it.  I did a bit of research and discovered the ingredients on the Panera website of menu items.  Then I set out to recreate the magic.

I used a fresh pumpkin, cleaned and then baked at 275∘ F till tender to the touch.

Puree pumpkin in processor and set aside.

I then peeled, and chopped 

1 medium onion

4 carrots peeled and chopped

2 apples peeled & chopped

3 cups cooked pureed pumpkin

1 1/2 cup vegetable broth

I brought to a boil and cooked till tender.  Transfer the veggies to a processor or blender and blend on high/puree or use an immersion blender.

Return puree to the pot.  Add 3 Tablespoons coconut oil

salt and pepper

2 Tablespoons honey

1/2 tsp curry powder

1/4 tsp cinnamon

Roasted pumpkin seeds for garnish

Taste and add more salt, pepper, curry or cream as needed.  Bring back to boil then serve in warm bowls adding toasted pumpkin seeds on top for texture. This soup was so simplistic using basic products.  You could use frozen squash or canned pumpkin but the flavor will vary and may not be as bright as fresh butternut squash and pumpkin.

"When the Lord starts out to make an oak tree, He takes 100 years to do it, but He can make pumpkin in 90 days.  More or less life is like that. We must choose whether we desire to become an oak tree or a pumpkin."

-Sterling W. Sill

Apple and Raisin Oatmeal

263. Today I woke up hungry for a bowl of hot oatmeal. But not just plain oatmeal, oatmeal filled with happiness! My method to make oatmeal is very different from the typical preparation but I think it turns out perfect every time. I follow the directions by boiling the water first and then adding the dry oatmeal to the boiling water. But then I add a pinch of salt, bring the oatmeal back to a boil, stir and then shut the heat off and place a lid on the pot. I set the timer for 5 or so minutes and threaten anyone who dares lift the lid. When the oatmeal is ready, it is always perfect, not stuck to the bottom of the pot or boiled over the sides.

Today, I added a granny smith apple, chopped, cinnamon and 1/2 cup of raisins after the pinch of salt.

It turned out beautiful. I dotted each serving with butter and sprinkled the top with cinnamon and sugar dusting. The apple and raisins added such a natural sweetness, I didn't need to add any additional sugar.

So we sat, enjoying our oatmeal, fresh strawberries and sipped our tea. I wish every morning could be this relaxed and delicious!

"All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast."

~John Gunther

Apple Crostata

235. With apples a plenty from our apple picking excursion, an apple pie was a must!

Although the day we went apple picking was overcast and cool, the apple trees were loaded and there were few in the orchard picking. We had our choice of any apple from any tree.

An Apple Crostata is the simplest way of having the apple pie without all the fuss.

Apple Crostata

2 to 3 apples, peel, core and chop in to chunks or slices

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

dash of ground cloves

pinch of kosher salt

dash of nutmeg

1 heaping teaspoon of corn starch

1 pre-made pie crust, unbaked

Roll out pie crust on a floured surface in a circle, approximately 12". Place all other ingredients in a bowl and mix to coat apples.

Transfer pie crust round onto a flat baking sheet covered with parchment paper or Silpat. Pour apple mixture into center of pie crust.

Dot with butter.

Then begin to fold the dough over the edges of the apples leaving the center uncovered. Brush the top crust with a small amount of milk or water then sprinkle sparkling sugar over.

Bake 350º oven for 25-35 minutes or till crust is light brown and center is bubbling.

Allow the Crostata to cool. Cut in pie slices and top with vanilla ice cream.

It's beautiful and easy!

"I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice."

Caramel Apples

183. One of the easiest and most fulfilling fall treat is caramel apples. If you haven't made caramel apples, you need to. Kraft has made it so simple with a microwave recipe on the package of caramels.

I was watching the new Food Network program on Sundays with Anne Thornton called "Dessert First". *LOVE* She shows her recipe for making caramel sauce.

You could make your own or grab a couple bags of caramel squares at the market.

You just unwrap all the caramels then add a little water, microwave and stir till desired consistency.

I like to add extra goodies like nuts, chocolate chips and sprinkles to my apples.

You can choose to coat them up to the stick or just along the sides.

Then let the caramel rest a few minutes.

This batch was dipped in melted dark chocolate and then dipped in toasted walnuts or sprinkles.

What a delicious gift or slice them and place on a dessert plate for Thanksgiving dessert.

When was the last time you made caramel apples????

"If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas."

~ George Bernard Shaw

Salad for Dinner

180. A refreshing change for dinner is taking a break from meat and potatoes. Tonight, we had salad for dinner.

I found a wonderful olive focaccia bread at the local bakery. It was rustic, flavorful and almost a meal in itself.

The salad ingredients were romaine lettuce, chopped scallion, sliced red radish, chopped apple, crumbled feta cheese, ground sea salt, ground gourmet pepper corns, dark balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

This meal was satisfying, and the apple added an extra special sweetness and crunch.

Have salad for dinner and add fruit or nuts for a surprising and delicious change.

"To make a good salad is to be a brilliant diplomatist-the problem is the same in both cases. To know exactly how much oil one must put with one's vinegar."

~ Oscar Wilde

Apple Picking

178. Apple picking is a yearly tradition for our family. And, visiting Wickham's Fruit Farm in Cutchogue, NY is always a highlight.

When you pull into the parking lot and step out of the car, the aroma of fresh made donuts fills the air. You can purchase sugar and cinnamon, sugar or plain. We always go for the mixed bag.

They are cake like and so delicious!

Once you pay for u-pick apples, you walk across the field and climb onto a wagon. Our Girls Club came along for the fun.

After you fill your bag with apples and eat one or two you head back to the farm stand.

They have all types of fruit, cheese, apple cider, jams, jellies

and delicious baked goods.

They also have fantastic honey collected from their own hives.

We had a wonderful day and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine, time with friends and the delicious apples.

"You never know how many apples there are in one little seed."

~ Annonymous