"An apple a day, keeps the doctor away!"
Turns out, there is a lot of truth to this old adage. Apples are high in fiber (4 grams) and low in calories (less than 100). They contain more than 10% of our RDA of vitamin C.
According to the Iowa Women's Health Study, women who ate apples frequently had a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease. Some studies have even shown that eating an apple before working out may help you exercise longer!
Fall is apple season! Head out to a nearby farm to pick your own or choose from the wide variety now in the grocery stores. Then make one of these delicious recipes!
Apple Pancake Casserole
- 4 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- Pancake mix (plus ingredients as directed on package)
- Batter mix-ins like applesauce, cinnamon, nuts, or raisins (optional)
Preheat oven to 400℉.
Melt butter in a medium cast iron skillet; add apples and sugar and sauté for 4-6 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare pancake batter for 10-12 pancakes. Stir in whatever mix-ins you desire. Pour batter on top of apples.
Place the skillet in the oven and bake 20-30 minutes, until puffy and slightly browned. Serve immediately.
Apple-Cranberry Sauce
Makes a great side for Thanksgiving or with Easy Slow Cooker Chicken
- 1 can (16 ounces) whole berry cranberry sauce
- ¼ cup applesauce
- ½ cup grated apple (use a sweet variety like Gala to balance the cranberry sauce)
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Stir together all ingredients till well blended. Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days before serving.
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken
- 1 whole chicken, skin removed if desired
- 2 apples, cut in half
- 1 cup apple juice
- salt and pepper to taste
Scoop out the inside of the chicken if necessary. Put apple inside chicken cavity. Place in slow cooker. Pour apple juice over chicken. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook on LOW for 8 hours. Discard apples before serving.
Sweet Potato & Apple Soup
Courtesy of Jeff Wirtz and Macaroni Kid EATS!
- ½ cup butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- ½ cup flour
- 2 quarts vegetable stock, chicken stock, or water
- 1 pint light cream
- 1½ pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1½ pounds apples, cored and chopped
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- A pinch each cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Melt butter in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes or till translucent.
Add flour and mix well to form a roux. Add vegetable stock and whisk well to incorporate.
Add sweet potatoes, apples, cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper.
Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes or until potatoes and apples are soft. Puree soup using a blender, stick blender, or food processor. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Apple Half-Moons
- 3 large Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and grated
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon butter, melted
- Dash vanilla
- 1 package refrigerated biscuits
Preheat oven to 350℉.
In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. Stir half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture into the grated apples; set aside.
Roll out each biscuit till it is approximately 5 inches in diameter (you can also use the palm of your hand to flatten it).
Evenly divide apple mixture among biscuits. Fold each biscuit in half and pinch edges to make half-moons. Place on a baking sheet.
Combine the rest of the cinnamon-sugar with melted butter and vanilla; brush onto half-moons. Bake 18-20 minutes.
Grandma's Apple Crisp
- 5 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 2 Tablespoons packed brown sugar, divided
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
Topping:
- ⅔ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats
- ⅓ cup butter, softened to room temperature
- ¾ teaspoon each cinnamon and nutmeg
Preheat oven to 375℉. Toss apples with sugars, spices, and butter till evenly coated. Spread into an 8x8x2-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Cut topping ingredients together until coarsely blended. Sprinkle over apples. Bake 30 minutes or till topping is golden brown. Serve warm topped with vanilla ice cream.
