Time to get creative -- apples, apples, apples!

[joyfulheart]

Our apple tree had a bumper crop of juicy, delicious apples this year.  But, we can only eat so many fresh, in applesauce and apple pie, not that I've ever baked an apple pie, but still...

Any creative ideas for using apples?  (I would love an apple bread recipe.) 

I would love to hear any and all ideas/recipes!!

TIA!!  Peace ~~

[rnra]

Here's a few recipes that sound good...

http://breadmachinerecipe.net/bread-machine-apple-bread-recipe/

http://atendercrumb.com/2010/05/apple-apple-bread-pudding-twd/

http://foodfamilyfinds.com/fall-baking-crock-pot-caramel-apples-recipe/

http://www.midwestliving.com/recipe/bars/danish-pastry-apple-bars

http://www.justapinch.com/recipe/heidi-claros/my-grandmas-apple-strudel/pie#.UB0VDp8bsF8.pinterest

http://www.alaskafromscratch.com/2012/08/22/caramel-apple-pull-apart-bread/

[onlyzombiecat]

apple crisp

Waldorf Salad

baked apples

apple sandwich- http://www.food.com/recipe/grilled-apple-and-cheddar-sandwich-488324

fried apples

Dutch Apple Pancake

pork with apples

apple stuffed chicken breast

http://southernfood.about.com/library/weekly/aa092803c.htm

http://www.food.com/recipes/apples

[meemee]

apple snack 

fresh sliced apples

- dipped in peanut butter (or any kind of nut butter or soy butter) drizzled with dessicated coconut.

- covered in cinnamon

havent checked all the links posted above, but i cant see why you cant use applesauce to make bread. 

with applesauce really you can go to town. they add a great touch to any kind of soup or stew you make. 

its been a long time since i made apple soup. 

my aunt used to make us some simple apple 'jam'.

[ollyoxenfree]

Soup - Add an apple or two when you make squash or parsnip soup. Just peel, core and dice and throw it in when you add the veggies. It will add a touch of sweetness and extra flavour. 

Chicken with apples - I don't use a recipe for this anymore, but generally I'll heat 1 Tbsp. of olive oil in a saute pan and brown 4 chicken breasts or 6 thighs. Remove chicken. Saute a sliced onion and 1 or 2 minced garlic cloves. When onion has softened add 1 or 2 sliced apples and some chopped fresh herbs (thyme, sage, basil, oregano - whatever) and some grated lemon zest (or a little dry mustard powder) and saute for about 1 minute. If you like, then add a splash of white wine or white vermouth (or lemon juice or white wine vinegar or verjuice). Add about 1/3 cup of chicken stock (or more if you like a saucier dish). Deglaze pan, scraping up brown bits. Return chicken to pan and simmer for about 6 to 8 minutes per side (less if you've flattened the chicken before you start cooking) or until cooked through. Season with salt, pepper. Serve sprinkled with more fresh herbs. 

[mtiger]

What kind of apples? It can make a difference.
 

[Kate&Joey]

Mmmm...apple crisp is my recommendation.

1.  It uses a good amount of apples.

2.  You don't have to make a crust.

3.  It isn't so sweet so I don't feel guilty serving it for breakfast with a dollop of greek yogurt. 

[ollyoxenfree]

Next year, before the apples ripen, you could try to make your own verjuice. It's an acidic condiment similar to vinegar and used as a vinegar or lemon juice substitute. It dates back to medieval times. Traditionally, it's made from unripened grapes or crab apples but if your tree produces a tart apple, rather than a really sweet variety, and it produces more apples than you can use, it would be worth trying.  

If you Google, you'll find a few recipes to make verjuice but most of them use unripened grapes. Basically, you grind the fruit (or use a food processor), making sure you don't include any stems or seeds. Place in a non-reactive container. Cover with water. Cover the container with cheesecloth. Let it sit for a few days - I've read anywhere from 2 to 4. Then strain, squeezing all the juice from the pulp. Repeat straining 2 or 3 times. Store in a glass jar or bottle in the refrigerator or freeze in ice cube trays. 

[KristyDi]

Apple butter?  It's pretty easy to make in the crockpot.

[joyfulheart]

Wow, thanks for all the great ideas!

mtiger -- I don't know what kind of apples they are.  They're smaller than ones you find in a store, mostly green with a reddish blush to them. 

I think I may try an apple crisp....

Never made apple butter, though I am a jam/jelly maker...maybe that's a next too!

Thanks, again.  Peace ~~

[gonyere]

apple butter!! Apple cider!!

[joyfulheart]

What's the difference between apple cider and apple juice? 

We juiced about a dozen of our apples this morning and it was out of this world!   Does apple juice freeze well?

Peace ~~

[gonyere]

I'm not sure of the traditional method of making apple juice. To make apple cider you need a grinder & press - you grind up whole apples and the press all the juice out of them. Apple cider freezes beautifully, though I usually can it, mostly to save space in my freezers :)

[meemee]

http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/20-unexpected-ways-to-use-apples.html

this reminded me of this thread today. i must say i love the shrunken heads.

[joyfulheart]

Oh man, some awesome ideas -- I love the dried apple rings on the Christmas tree especially, and my boys would love to make those shrunken heads! 

Does anyone know -- would birds eat dried apple rings?  I have no idea.  I could see putting them out on an outdoor tree -- maybe if you covered them in peanut butter and bird seed? 

Peace ~~

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by gonyere 

I'm not sure of the traditional method of making apple juice. To make apple cider you need a grinder & press - you grind up whole apples and the press all the juice out of them. Apple cider freezes beautifully, though I usually can it, mostly to save space in my freezers :)

19 y.o. DS, who loves apple cider, has made it without a press. He grates the apples and mashes them, then places the whole mess into a clean tea towel and wraps it around and around to squeeze out the cider. It's very small scale production - he only makes about a glass or two at a time. I've thought about getting him a cider press, but I have no idea where we would keep it. 

[puffingirl]

We went apple picking this week and have been making apple treats all week.  We had apple cinnamon bundt cake (so good!), I made apple pie filling for the freezer and we'll can some apple butter too.  Yea, apples!