This time of year the apple can take center stage in the kitchen. Here is a little information about who the players are and I will endeavor to give you a few more of my favorite recipes to show case them.
With thousands of apple varieties, to choose from here are a few favorites, among the baking apples. Granny Smith, Winesap, Rome Beauty, Golden Delicious and Jonathans are familiar names to look for when your apple recipes ask for baking apples. Cooking apples are Bramley, Red Delicious, Gala, and Cortland. Some apples like the Gala, and Cortland works for cooking and baking.
Dutch Apple Pudding Cake
Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray
1 20 – 21 – ounce can apple pie filling
1/2 cup dried cherries, dried cranberries, or raisins
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1 1/4 cups apple juice
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter
1 recipe Sweetened Whipped Cream (optional)
Chopped walnuts, toasted (optional)
Directions
Lightly coat a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray; set aside. In a small saucepan bring apple pie filling to boiling. Stir in cherries. Transfer apple mixture to prepared cooker.
In a medium bowl stir together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and melted butter; stir just until combined. Stir in the 1/2 cup walnuts. Pour and evenly spread batter over apple mixture in cooker, spreading evenly.
In the same small saucepan combine apple juice, brown sugar, and the 1 tablespoon butter. Bring to boiling. Boil gently, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Carefully pour apple juice mixture over mixture in cooker.
Cover and cook on high-heat setting for 2 to 2-1/2 hours or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center of cake comes out clean. Remove crockery liner from cooker, if possible, or turn off cooker. Cool, uncovered, for 30 to 45 minutes.
To serve, spoon warm cake and its sauce into dessert dishes. If desired, top each serving with Sweetened Whipped Cream and additional walnuts.
Sweetened Whipped Cream
Ingredients
1 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
In a chilled small mixing bowl combine whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla. Beat with the chilled beaters of an electric mixer on medium to high speed just until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Do not over beat.
sources BHG, Midwest Living
Ravenhawks' Magazine Magick for Mind Body and Soul 