Apples are the trademark fruit of fall, and with the many varieties to choose from, there is an apple that is sure to please any palate. Apples can be included in both sweet and savory dishes and are delicious and incredibly healthful. We all have heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
While they aren’t a cure-all, apples are packed full of polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamin C and B vitamins and fiber. Make the most of autumn’s best produce and the flavors of fall with these simple recipes.
Apple Galette With Caramel Drizzle
Easier than pie but with all the same textures, this gooey warm dessert is sure to please. For simplicity, this can be made with a premade crust.
Crust Ingredients:
· 1 1/2 cups flour
· 1/4 cup sugar
· 1/4 teaspoon salt
· 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cubed
· 1/4 cup ice cold water
Filling:
· 2 apples, peeled and sliced into thin slices
· 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
· 1 1/2 tablespoons flour
· 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
· 1 teaspoon cinnamon
· 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
· Optional: 1/4 chopped walnuts or pecans
· Caramel sauce
Instructions:
Crust:
(Note: If running short on time, store bought crust works great, too.)
Mix flour, salt and sugar together in a bowl. Cut in the butter. Add water and mix until moistened. Lightly knead the dough and then form into a ball. Next, flatten the dough into a thick circular form and refrigerate for one hour.
Filling:
Mix the apples, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar together in a bowl.
Assemble and Bake:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into a circle and set on parchment paper. Arrange apples in center of dough, leaving about one inch of space for the edges. Fold crust over the apples and press to seal edges. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with pecans or walnuts. Bake for 35 minutes. Serve with caramel sauce and ice cream.
Elevated Grilled Cheese
This take on the classic grilled cheese is sure to satisfy your fall cravings. With the combined flavors of savory and sweet, it packs a punch for your taste buds.
Ingredients:
· 1/4 red onion, sliced
· 2 tablespoons brown sugar
· 1 tablespoon olive oil
· Sliced sourdough bread
· 1-2 tablespoons butter
· 4 ounces Brie, sliced
· Fig jam, or preferred choice of jam
· 1 Granny Smith apple, sliced
· Arugula
· Thinly sliced ham, optional
Instructions:
Heat olive oil in the skillet and add sliced onions. Cook for a few minutes and then add brown sugar. Sauté until soft. Set aside. Butter the outside of the sourdough bread. Next, spread jam on the inside of both slices. Add cheese, apples, onions and arugula. If using meat, add that as well. Top with a slice of bread and grill on a skillet until both sides are toasted and cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!
Apple Chutney
This Indian-inspired dish is the perfect fall topping for pork chops and also pairs nicely with ham. This one is so easy to make and will fill your kitchen with the aroma of fall.
Ingredients:
· 4 tablespoons butter
· 2 cups Granny Smith apple, chopped
· ¼ cup pecans or walnuts
· 1/3 cup apple juice
· 3 tablespoons brown sugar
· 3 tablespoons dried cranberries
· 1 teaspoon lemon juice
· ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
· ½ teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions:
Heat butter in saucepan, then add remaining ingredients. Cook over medium heat until the sauce has cooked down and the apples are tender. Serve over pork chops. Enjoy!
Baked Apples
Baked apples are a great fall side dish or can be the perfect appetizer to share. This dish is surprisingly savory, simple to make and looks impressive.
Ingredients:
· 3 apples, your choice of variety, halved and cored
· 3 tablespoons butter
· ¼ cup brown sugar
· ½ cup apple juice or apple cider
· Fresh rosemary, chopped
· Brie, sliced
· Chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice apples in half and remove the core. Set aside. Heat skillet and melt butter. Add brown sugar and lightly stir. Place apples face down in the skillet and add apple juice and a sprig of rosemary. Allow apples to cook on stovetop for 5-10 minutes. Flip apples over and top with Brie, chopped walnuts and chopped rosemary. Bake for 6-7 minutes or until the Brie is melted. This is best served warm and is easy to reheat. Enjoy!
Apple Cider Bourbon
This easy fall cocktail is festive and delicious. Served hot or cold, it is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Ingredients:
· Apple cider (hot or cold)
· 1 ½ ounce bourbon or whiskey
· ½ ounce honey
· ½ ounce lemon juice
· Cinnamon
· Apple slice
Instructions:
Add all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake. Serve over ice and garnish with cinnamon stick and apple slice. Enjoy!
Apple Crisp a la Mode
This fall classic is the perfect treat for a cozy fall dessert.
Ingredients:
Filling:
· 6-8 apples, peeled and sliced
· ½ cup dark brown sugar
· ¼ cup flour
· 1 teaspoon vanilla
· 1 teaspoon cinnamon
· ½ teaspoon nutmeg
Topping:
· ¾ cup flour
· ¾ cup dark brown sugar
· 1 teaspoon cinnamon
· ½ cup cold butter, cubed
· 1 cup oats
· ¼ cup pecans, chopped
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease pie plate or baking dish. Mix all filling ingredients together and place in a baking dish. Prepare the topping by combining the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut in butter using a fork or pastry cutter. Stir in oats and pecans and sprinkle over filling until covered. Bake for 45 minutes and serve with caramel drizzle and vanilla ice cream.
And to pick up your own locally sourced apples, stop into any of these NoCo vendors:
- Adam’s Apple Orchard & Country Store: 42135 Weld County Road 43, Ault / adamsapplecolorado.com
- Heckmann Hollow Orchards & Gardens: 65295 US Hwy 50, Fowler / heckmannhollow.com
- Ya Ya Farm and Orchard: 6914 Ute Hwy, Longmont / yayafarmandorchard.com
- Berry Patch Farms: 13785 Potomac Street, Brighton / berrypatchfarms.com