Recipes A to Z....."A" is for Apples

Apples are available year-round with the peak season from September through November in the U.S. Here are some recipes for apples that incorporate different varieties of apples.

Apple Bundles

1 package refrigerated croissants (like Pillsbury crescent rolls)

2 Granny Smith apples, cored, peeled and sliced

2 Tablespoons melted butter

1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, mixed

1/3 cup orange juice

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Remove rolls from can and slightly press triangles. Place sliced apples on rolls and fold into a bundle. (see picture) Place bundles in a 8" square pan. Sprinkle melted butter over the bundles, then the sugar mix. Pour the juice around the bundles (not over them) and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Brown Rice Apple Crisp

1 cup instant brown rice

1 can (20 oz) pie-sliced apples

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1 cup packed brown sugar, divided

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Vegetable cooking spray

1/4 cup uncooked quick-cooking oatmeal

1/4 cup margarine

1/4 cup chopped nuts, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare rice according to package directions (without margarine or salt). Cool.

Combine rice, apples, lemon juice, 1/2 cup brown sugar and cinnamon in prepared 8 inch square baking dish. Combine oatmeal and remaining brown sugar in medium bowl. Cut in margarine with 2 table knives until it resembles crumbs. Stir in nuts. Sprinkle over rice mixture. Bake 20 minutes. Serve warm. My mother used to serve this with a little milk poured over it.

Apple Cake

My Aunt Naomi lived on a little farm in London, Ohio. I used to spend every Summer there when I was a little girl. Every time we had a family reunion, all the kids would run to see what my aunt brought to eat. When I got married, Aunt Naomi gave me some of her favorite recipes. This is one of them.

4 cups peeled, diced Macintosh apples (or any cooking apple)

2 cups sugar

1 cup nuts

Stir and let stand 1 hour or more.

Add: 2 eggs, well beaten and 1 cup oil (I use applesauce instead of oil)

Add 3 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking soda

Bake 350 degrees F for 1 hour. Ice while warm with powdered sugar icing. Can be topped with whipped cream or any other icing.

Baked Apples

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

6 medium apples, cored and left whole

2/3 cup flour

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 Tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

Combine sugar and cinnamon. Roll apples in sugar mixture. Place in buttered casserole or baking dish. Spoon remaining sugar and cinnamon mixture in center of apples. In mixing bowl, combine flour, 2/3 cup sugar, baking powder and salt. Combine oil, vanilla and egg. Add to dry ingredients. Mix well. Spoon about 2 Tablespoons batter over each apple. Bake 375 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until apples are tender. Serve warm.

Apple Pie Ala Mode (without the crust)

1 cup chunky unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup frozen yogurt

ground cinnamon

Microwave the applesauce for about 1 1/2 minutes. Sprinkle cinneamon on top. Add frozen yogurt while hot! Fast and easy!