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Cinnamon Applesauce
My boyfriend and I went apple picking at Stuart’s Farm in Westchester County, NY, and ever since I have been thinking of creative ways to use the bushels of apples we brought home. With almost 200 acres of trees, we were able to pick a variety of apples — Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Empire, Mutsu, Jonagold, Ida Red, Northern Spy, Black twig, and Baldwins. There is no better way to enjoy hand-picked apples than with a homemade batch of applesauce. Although there are many variations of applesauce out there, I prefer a simple Cinnamon Applesauce recipe, with fresh lemon juice, apple cider, cinnamon and nutmeg. If you like your applesauce sweet, feel free to add a 1/4 cup of brown sugar, however, since the apples we picked were so sweet I really didn’t need to add any. The apples cook on your stovetop for about 25 minutes and fill the house with a warm smell of cinnamon and nutmeg. Use this applesauce as a snack, in baking (as a substitute for oil), or as a side dish with chicken or pork. Delicious!
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Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple Soup
There is nothing like butternut squash soup on a cool autumn day. This recipe for Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple Soup is my grandmother’s and it has been one of my favorites for years. The best part about this soup is the addition of zesty apples to add a bit of tang to the soup. You start by preparing your butternut squash and apples (peeling, coring, chopping, etc.) and then roasting the squash, apples and onions on a baking sheet in the oven until tender and just golden. You then add the roasted fruit and vegetables to a soup pot, along with chicken broth and an array of fall-appropriate spices. After pureeing everything, you get a simple, healthy and delicious Butternut Squash and Apple Soup. Serve with a bit of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano on top and a slice of crusty bread. Irresistible!
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Healthy Multigrain Pumpkin Muffins
I am always on the lookout for delicious pumpkin recipes that are not only tasty, but healthy as well. I found an amazing recipe for low-fat pumpkin muffins created by one of my fave baking blogs, Love From The Oven. Full of whole wheat flour, flaxseed meal and oat bran, these muffins are bursting with fiber and have the hearty, nutty texture of multigrain muffins. With the addition of pumpkin, applesauce and a hefty dose of pumpkin pie spice, these muffins are truly a delight. They have a moist center and that perfect crunchy top that everyone loves – and no oil or butter. While you are baking, your kitchen will be filled with the delicious smell of fall. Enjoy with a small dab of honey butter or with nothing at all. The recipe is after the jump… check it out!
