Thursday, October 20, 2016

Five on Friday: Apples





Apples come into their own in autumn. Some varieties ripen early, others later. They are so versatile; suitable for desserts, but also add a bit of sweetness to savory dishes as well. I like many varieties of apples, but they have to be crunchy, not mealy. And I'm not very fond of Red or Golden Delicious apples, are you? Here are five (plus a half) things I like to do with apples.

1. Photograph them. Red apples in a green tree against a bright blue sky are the prettiest things. 

1.5 Eat them raw. I like them cut into wedges when I'm at home where a knife is handy, but while out and about, if an apple tree (not on private property) makes itself known, I'll happily pick one, rub it on my shirt, and take bites all around the core. 



2. Bavarian Apple Torte - Cream cheese, almonds, a buttery crust, and apples make a wonderful dessert. I've found that Granny Smith or Transparent apples work best in this recipe; others tend to stay a bit crunchy, and for this dessert, fully softened is best. My cousin first served this recipe to me, and it's now in one of our family compilations. Always a winner. 




3. Apple Crisp with Creme Anglaise - Apple crisp is a classic autumn dessert. I used to serve it with ice cream, and it's certainly yummy, but once I served it with creme anglaise (aka custard sauce), I never looked back. 

I like to keep a mixture of the crisp topping in the freezer so that I can bake up a crisp on a whim. It's also good if I want to make a dessert for just two of us - sliced enough apples for two small dishes, sprinkle sufficient topping over, and bake. I confess to liking a high proportion of topping to apple.



4. Apple Pastry Squares - Easier than making apple turnovers is this version of apples and pastry. The pastry has milk and an egg in it and is easily patched. It's rough looking and made even more delicious with the icing sugar glaze. 



5. Peanut Caramel Dip - For a snack, or if you are bringing something to a party, this dip is always a hit. What's not to like about caramel and peanut butter? Rather than unwrap dozens of those little caramels, I came up with a "from scratch" sauce that takes no more time. 

Clicking on the links will take you to the recipes.

What's your favourite way to eat apples in the fall? 

Linking with Five on Friday, hosted by Amy at Love Made My Home.   

42 comments:

  1. Oh, I can't take this Lorrie! Soooo delicious! I can smell the scent of ripening apples and cinnamon...

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  2. Such lovely recipes thankyou. I will have to get busy cooking once I'm back home. Hopefully my Apple tree will fruit next year :). Have a great weekend. B x

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  3. Each one looks so delicious. I used to make apple crisp a lot but our favorite it just to eat a plain apple---or if I'm baking, an apple pie tops the list.

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  4. Yummy post. I love apples! Thanks for your five.

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  5. Hello,Lorrie,
    Impressive! You have many recipes from raw apples. Each one must be so delicious!! Apple trees are grown in the northern Part of Japan. So I have never seen apple trees growing in person. Thank you for sharing.
    Happy day to you!

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  6. An apple a day--. They are the best fruit. I bought a food dehydrator as another way to preserve them, but doing so is so much work. I love the idea of making a big patch of crisp topping for the freezer, though I don't often make desert. I like apple slices with peanut butter. Carmel, too.

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  7. Those are five wonderfully yummy things to do with apples!! On my way to Pin...

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  8. Such a delicious post. One of my favourites is good old fashioned apple pie.

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  9. Oh yummy! I love anything with apples in. I'd have a slice of any of those!

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  10. Makes me want to go and pick and apple and crunch away on it. Some of the recipes looks really good. I should get more creative and try something other than apple crisp :)

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  11. All of these look totally delish!

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  12. I like to slice mine thinly then cook in the oven for an hour. Makes great dried fruit snack

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  13. Yum! [ I do not like mealy apples either, and am not fond of Golden or Red Delicious either. Pink Lady is one of my favorites.] I just crunched one of the apples I picked, but now must go make a baked apple thanks to your delicious post, Lorrie :) xx

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  14. My sister has an apple orchard. There's applesauce, apple strudel, apple crisp, fresh apples, apple pie...oh, and a big get together making caramel apples!!!

    Enjoyed this.

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  15. Oooh, the Bavarian Apple Torte looks absolutely scrummy.

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  16. Oh, these recipes look so delicious! I need to try your apple crisp recipe a.s.a.p.! My favorite apples are 'Gala'. I can't get enough of them. Thanks for sharing all the goodness! x Karen

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  17. OOH all your recipes with apples looked so good! The Bavarian torte really just caught my eye, but I admit that my favorite apple dessert of all time is usually just the simple apple crisp, served with ice cream. I don't like the red or golden delicious apples either, too mushy. We like crisp and sweet here. Enjoyed your 5 on Friday!

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  18. My favorite apples are #1 Gravenstein, #2 Honey Crisp, #3 Golden Delicious (if crisp), #4 Granny Smith for cooking. Love apples and grew up with them. Your recipes look amazing, each and every one of them.

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  19. Anonymous3:54 PM

    Well...I could enjoy any one of these apple treats. They all look delicious. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  20. The Bavarian Apple Tort looks amazing! I like apples but don't often buy them, they don't grow in this area, much too hot and humid.

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  21. An apple a day keeps the doctor away!

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  22. Oh yummy, apples every which way. Hubby prefers apple pie but I like a crisp better. Don't you just love it when a light bulb goes on - as in making crisp topping and freezing to have on hand. My pie crumble topping is the same as for a crisp and I don't know why I never thought about making it ahead. Do you include the butter in the frozen concoction?

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  23. It all looks so good. Especially the pastry!

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  24. Ohhhh I have yet to try a custard sauce with apple crisp...sounds so good!

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  25. I like crisp apples, too. My youngest son loves granny smiths. This is definitely the season for a good apple crumble. My boys will be here late December so I will make all their favorite things to eat then. Apples and peanut butter are a favorite for me, for breakfast or as a snack. Have a good weekend. Tammy

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  26. hello
    les incontournables gâteaux aux pommes
    clafoutis , tartes , apple pie
    compotes , l'automne est plein de richesse , que l'on déguste au coin du feu
    bon weekend
    tendresse

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  27. ''Tis the season for everything Apple! Bavarian apple torte has been a family favourite at our house for more than 3 decades...recipe clipped from a farm publication around 1980. Always a hit! I am going to check out your dip. This is a yummy post!

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  28. Makes my mouth water!

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  29. Delicious! I'm tempted by all of them. Apples are so versatile, I like Bramleys. Yum.

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  30. Yummy recipes Lorrie! I like an apple sliced in sections and dipped in caramel sauce - either boughten or homemade, and in a crumble. My favourite right now is Cortland but later on I prefer Gala. Enjoy the weekend.

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  31. My mouth is watering! I've been wanting an "apple" something and now I don't have any excuse -- except to get out and buy the apples! Hope your weekend is lovely.

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  32. What a delicious post! I love apples, and in fact made an apple pie for my f-i-l's birthday last weekend. I am saving all the recipes. Thanks, Lorrie!

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  33. So many lovely apple recipes, Lorrie! Your family must be very healthy and happy. :)
    Wonderful photos, as always!

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  34. That's the right post for me ! I love apples, I eat at least 4 each day as dessert !

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  35. what a healthy revolution
    loved these apple dishes
    my favorite fruit

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  36. Those recipes look delicious, honey crisp are my favorite.

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  37. Lorrie, love this post -- love apples! I do like Golden Delicious and often use half Goldens and half Granny Smiths in my apple pies, crumbles, etc. But I don't care at all for Red Delicious. Maybe they *can* be good, I don't know, but *I* have *never* had one that did not disappoint. And I'm with you on the crème anglaise (I just call it custard sauce most of the time), I put it on absolutely everything!

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  38. Oh my gosh -- was this a timely post this evening! We just got home from the country -- and our SIL handed us a huge bag full of apples from their trees as we walked out the door. And now from you the wonderful gift of four new (or improved) suggestions for what to do with them. (I did already know everything about 'eat them raw' ;>) ) I love apple crisp -- and the sauce sounds wonderful, but the coolest thing about that suggestion was keeping the topping in the freezer -- I would never have thought of that. Never too old to learn -- that's my motto.

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  39. Oh my goodness, Lorrie, what a good post! I love the first picture; those apples are such a beautiful, rosy color. Your recipes look wonderful! I followed the link on each one, and I'll definitely be pinning these. :) I do like Golden Delicious apples, but I don't care for Red Delicious. My favorite apples for making my apple pie are Red Rome, or Rome Beauties. We bought some at a produce stand in the mountains a few weeks ago.

    Thanks for your visit today and have a wonderful week!

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  40. Oh everything looks so good. I too love a good apple desert. I've discovered Fuji apples this year - they are so sweet that you need none - or almost no sugar when making apple butter or apple sauce - just a touch of cinnamon and you have a delicious treat. I like Granny Smith and Jonagold for pies - but my all time favorite is Winesap - no longer sold in stores or in most orchard shops - which is a shame - I need to find someone with local Winesaps for sale. I like the organic Red Delicious - such a different taste and texture from the commercial ones. So many good apples available. Happy week ahead - I think the rain is going to return - I hear a bit of it on the skylight already.

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  41. As a foodie, I do love this apple post - very seasonal. Thank you so much for coming by my blog too, most appreciated

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  42. A lovely post about apples. Our poor little apple tree didn't produce many apples this year, but since I love making apple crumble with custard I just had to buy some and we've enjoyed the baked pudding. Wishing you a good rest of the week whatever you are doing!

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Thank you for your comment. I read and value each one, cherishing the connections we can make although far apart. Usually, I visit your blog in return, although if you ask a question I try to contact you directly.

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