All About APPLES

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY.  YOU CAN FIND IT HERE... 

Now onto the apples.

That's how today felt like the day was all about apples, and I loved it.  Apples are one of my favorite fruits; so simple and handy.  However, the Jonathans we received this week aren't as crisp as I like so I have plans to cook with them this week.  My kids and I will eat some, but mainly they'll be cooked. 

Here are 2 apple recipes that are so simple to make it's almost shameful.  Later in the week I will get you another recipe...

For lunch today we used our BB bread.  Let me just tell you, if you don't order the bread, DO SO!!!  It is delicious.  We used the bread and made grilled cheese sandwiches with slices of apples grilled right in.  We also did some with slices of our BB tomatoes.  

Then for dinner we made German Pancakes with Apples.  

Grilled Cheese with sliced apples (here are some simple instructions)

Lightly butter 2 pieces of BB bread.  Use your favorite kind of cheese.  Today we used medium cheddar.  (I have used a cinnamon cheddar before that I found at Whole Foods.  Killer!!)  Layer your sandwich with peeled slices of apple.  Grill until melted and gooey.  Cut in quarters because it's always more fun that way. We also made some sandwiches with tomatoe slices instead of apple.  

German Apple Pancakes--from Cooking Light

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 wedge)

Ingredients

• Batter:
• 1/2  cup  all-purpose flour (about 2 1/4 ounces)
• 1/2  teaspoon  baking powder
• 1  tablespoon  granulated sugar
• 1/8  teaspoon  salt
• 1/8  teaspoon  grated whole nutmeg
• 1  cup  egg substitute
• 1  cup  fat-free milk
• 2  tablespoons  butter, melted
• 1  teaspoon  vanilla extract
• Apple mixture:
• Cooking spray
• 1/2  cup  granulated sugar, divided
• 1/2  teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• 1/2  teaspoon  grated whole nutmeg
• 1  cup  thinly sliced Granny Smith apple
• Remaining ingredient:
• 1  tablespoon  powdered sugar

Preparation

1. To prepare batter, lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, salt, and 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Combine egg substitute, milk, butter, and vanilla in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add egg substitute mixture to flour mixture, stirring with a whisk. Let stand 30 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 425°.
3. To prepare apple mixture, coat bottom and sides of a 10-inch ovenproof skillet with cooking spray. Combine 1/4 cup granulated sugar, cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg; sprinkle evenly over bottom and sides of pan. Arrange apple in an even spokelike layer in pan. Sprinkle apple with remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Cook over medium heat 8 minutes or until mixture bubbles. Slowly pour batter over apple mixture.
4. Bake at 425° for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375° (do not remove pancake from oven); bake an additional 13 minutes or until center is set. Carefully loosen pancake with a spatula. Gently slide pancake onto a serving platter. Sift powdered sugar over top. Cut into 6 wedges; serve immediately.

**I used a 9x13 pan.  I also cooked the apples in the sugar mixture for 8 minutes in the oven rather than on the stove first and it was the perfect carmelized consistency.  Then I only dirtied one pan.  

I hope you give one of these recipes or both a try.  

 

P.S.--The professional photographer Cindy must cringe whenever she sees my pictures.  I need to have her come over and give me a few tips.  Hopefully they don't make you not want to make the recipe.