Apples are one of the most popular fruits in the world. They're usually the first fruit young children can identify, and the first fruit they taste. Countless folk stories and myths from around the globe feature apples, demonstrating the apple's far-reaching influence and likeability.
One of the apple's main selling points is its versatility. Apples can be baked, mashed, dehydrated, made into juice or vinegar, and of course eaten in their natural state.
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Apples also vary in appearance, offering colors from deep, dark red to pale yellow.
The taste differences in apples can be significant, from the sharp sourness of a Granny Smith compared to the mild sweetness of a Red Delicious, and the slight tart edge a McIntosh as compared to a Cortland.
Whichever apples you favor, you can create some great recipes using this fruit, and your choices aren't limited to dessert. Apples are perfect for so many uses, and they're generally simple to store and prepare.
When you get a bag or bushel of apples, look the apples over before storing them. It's true that one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch! Discard any apples that are bruised or rotting.
Apples can be stored in a produce bag in your refrigerator's crisper. Larger amounts of apples can be stored in a wooden or cardboard box in your basement.
To slice apples for snacks or recipes, you can use an apple corer/peeler, or a vegetable peeler and a standard kitchen knife.
First slice the apple in half, then in quarters. Remove the core from each quarter. You can then slice the apple in whatever size slices you need for your recipe.
Always remember to cut carefully; keep the knife safely away from your fingertips.
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To keep sliced apples from turning brown before serving, let them sit in cold water with a touch of lemon juice added.
There's evidence to support that old adage of "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." Apples are low in calories (around 80 calories per apple, depending on size), and contain no fat or cholesterol. In addition, apples are a good source of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, pectin, and flavonoids.
Besides serving them in their natural state, apples taste great in savory recipes and you can enjoy a side of this familiar fruit while avoiding the usual high-carb trappings of pastries and pies.
Here's a delicious main dish recipe featuring Granny Smith apples. Granny Smiths are tart, green apples that are best used for baking and cooking.
Pork Chops with Apples
(Recipe adapted from Chatelaine.com)
Ingredients:
- 1 Granny Smith apple, or similarly tart baking apple
- 1 tablespoon garlic butter
- 4 center-cut pork chops, preferably seasoned and each about 1/2-inch thick
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried sage leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Start by cleaning the apple and cutting it into quarters and removing the core. Next, slice the apple into thick wedges. Heat the butter in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Once the butter has melted and begun to bubble, add the apple and cook about 2 to 3 minutes, turning occasionally, until the apple is golden on both sides. Remove the apple from the heat and set aside on a plate.
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Put the pork in the pan and cook until browned, which should take about 3 minutes on each side. Mix together juice, mustard and spices in a bowl and add the mix to the pan when the pork has browned. Add apples and reduce heat, cover and simmer. Check back occasionally to stir; allow about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove chops and apples from the pan and place on plates. Bring sauce to a boil and stir often until it reaches the desired thickness, usually about 3 to 5 minutes. Pour over chops.
When you survey the apple section at your local grocery store or farmer's market, you'll be met with a lot of options. While apples are available throughout the year at most grocery stores, they are at their best when they're in season; late summer through late fall/early winter. Here are some of the most popular types of apple:
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Red Delicious - Dark red, mild, sweet
McIntosh - Crisp, bright red with a green tint, juicy and sweet/tart
Golden Delicious - Yellow with a pink blush, large, sweet
Winesap - Red stripe over yellow, crisp and juicy.
The apples on this short list are all good eating apples. You can snack on them just as they are, but some are also great for recipes.
Try this quick apple tart when you crave the home-baked aroma wafting through your house, but don't want to spend a ton of time tackling a complicated feat of baking. The Golden Delicious apples used in this recipe add a natural sweetness, so you don't need to use much sugar.
(recipe adapted from About.com)
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- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (half of 17.3-ounce package), thawed
- 3 medium Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, very thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons cinnamon sugar
- 1/4 cup apricot jam, melted
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and unfold pastry onto paper (be careful; pastry can tear easily). Using tines of fork, pierce 1/2-inch border around edge of pastry, then pierce center all over. Arrange apples atop pastry in 4 rows, overlapping apple slices and leaving border clear. Brush apples with melted butter; sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake for 30 minutes. Brush melted jam over apples. Bake tart until golden, about another 8 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Other recipe suggestions for apples include:
- Mix chopped Cortland apples, walnuts, shredded carrots, and celery with mayonnaise and flavorings to make a Waldorf salad.
- Make cold mini-kabobs by alternating Fuji apple chunks, smoked ham and cheddar cheese cubes on a skewer.
- Simmer cubed McIntosh apples, cinnamon and a bit of honey in a saucepan until the apples are soft and the flavors are blended. Allow to cool. You'll have delicious apple compote you can serve over ice cream.
Whatever you choose to do with your apples, you're sure to create a yummy surprise the whole family can enjoy.