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Of course it’s apple season. Along with tomato, squash, beets, etc. Today it’s about apples and probably will be for a couple of weeks. Many recipes call for apples but not which kind to use.  I know I’ve given which variety to use for various recipes, but like myself I’m not always sure if it should be a tart, sweet, tart and crisp, etc.

I have a short list on which kind to use. Best for baking: Braeburn (sweet/ tart), Granny Smith, Greening, Haralson, Jonathan, McIntosh, Zestar (tart or slightly tart).  Best for salads or salads: Cortland, Jon-a-gold, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Honey crisp, Zestar, Greening, Honeycrisp, Regent, Red Delicious. I hope this is helpful. One more thing, 3 medium apples= 1 lb., or 3 cups, sliced, or 2-1/2 c. chopped or diced.
On with apple recipes.

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WALNUT APPLE CAKE
2 eggs
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. canola or vegetable oil
2 t. vanilla
2 c. flour
2-1/2 t. cinnamon
2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1/4 t. nutmeg
4 c. peeled, chopped tart apples
1 c. chopped walnuts

Butter Sauce:
3/4 c. sugar
3 T. flour
1 c. milk
2 T. butter ( no substitutes)
1 t. vanilla
Walnut halves, optional

In a mixing bowl, combine first 4 ingredient; mix well. In another bowl, combine dry ingredients; add to egg mixture and mix well (batter will be stiff).  Stir in apples and walnuts. Spread into a greased or sprayed 9x13-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

For sauce: Combine first four ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; boil and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Cut cake into squares; top with warm sauce. Garnish with walnuts.  Makes 12-15 servings.

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APPLE SWISS 
CHICKEN
2 boneless, skinless, chicken breast halves
1/2 t. dried rosemary, crushed
2 thin slices ham
1 medium tart apple, peeled and thinly sliced, divided
1 T. canola or vegetable oil
2 thin slices Swiss cheese
1 T. apple juice or chicken broth
Paprika

Flatten chicken breasts to 1/4 –inch thickness; rub with rosemary. Top each with a ham slice and a few apple slices, (Don’t use all of slices); roll up tightly. Secure with toothpicks.  Place in a greased 1 qt. baking dish. Drizzle with oil. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Top with cheese and remaining apple slices; drizzle with apple juice or chicken broth. Sprinkle with paprika.  Bake 10-15 minutes or until chicken juices run clear and cheese is melted. Discard toothpicks. Makes 2 servings.

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APPLE NUT BREAD
1/2 c. butter or stick margarine, softened.
1 c. plus 2 T. sugar, divided
2 eggs
1 c. peeled, grated apple
2 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
2 T. buttermilk (not plain milk)
1/2 t. vanilla
1 c. chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
3/4 t. cinnamon

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and 1 c. sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in apple. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Stir in vanilla and nuts. Turn into a greased and floured or spray/floured mixture (Pam Spray in blue container) 9x5-inch baking pan (loaf pan). Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar; sprinkle over batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 60-65 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. (Check after about 55 minutes as some oven temperatures can be a little higher or lower.) Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack to cool.  Makes 1 loaf or about 14 -16 slices. Note: just 2 T. buttermilk? Put 1/8 t. vinegar in a small container and add plain milk. Let sit for 3 minutes. Y’know, this is what the recipe says but I can hardly believe that buttermilk is the only liquid in this recipe. I checked a similar recipe and the amount of liquid was 1/2 c. oil instead of butter, no other liquid.  Do what it says in my recipe. (A little smile here!)

Thought for the Day: A Ph.D. says smiling stimulates muscles and sends nerve signals to your brain that you’re happy. So, do you smile because you’re happy or are you happy because you smile?  

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