Fall Apple Harvest Recipes

'Tis the season for apples. Apples are the flavor of fall, a symbol of bounty and the harvest. Since they're in season, why not take advantage of this fantastic fruit and make some special recipes? Here are three favorites to get you started!

Homemade Applesauce

Homemade applesauce is so easy to make, and the flavor is far superior to anything you'll get at the store. Start by choosing ripe, firm apples. You'll get the most apple flavor by using a variety of apples instead of just one type. Jonathon, Gala, Ginger Gold, and even Granny Smith combinations make for rich, complex apple flavor, but stay away from red or golden delicious as they tend to be fairly bland when sauced.

About 1 pound of mixed apples, cored. Leave peels on.

¼ c. water

2 tbs. Cider vinegar

1 tsp. Lemon juice or ½ tsp. Citric acid powder

1 tsp. Cinnamon

Optional (any of the following) : ½ tsp. Ginger, ¼ tsp. Cardamom, zest of ½ lemon or orange

Directions: Put cored apples into a large stock pot with the water. Cook, covered and stirring occasionally, until apples are soft. Pour into a chinois food mill and force through to remove skins, then return pulp to heat. Add all additional ingredients, and cook down to your desired consistency.

Stuffed Baked Apples

4-6 large apples, cored from the top so as to leave bottom whole. Leave peels on. Choose a not-too sweet variety such as Granny Smith or Jonathon

½ c. crushed pecans

½ c. golden raisins

¼ c. instant oatmeal

1 c. cranberry juice

1 c. honey or agave

½ c. orange juice

½ c. rum (optional)

1 tsp. Corn starch

½ c. melted caramel (unwrapped, then melt slowly in microwave in 10 second bursts)

1/3 c. butter

Directions: Nestle apples into a baking dish sprayed with baking or cooking spray. In small bowl, combine pecans, raisins, oatmeal, and stuff equally into apple centers. In separate sauce pan, cranberry juice, honey or agave, orange juice, and rum. Heat just to a simmer, the pour over apples and sprinklewith corn starch. Cover apples, and bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour. Combine melted caramel and butter, top apples, and serve.

Apple, Onion, and Bacon Hash

3 apples, cored and diced small

1 large red onion

2 tbs. butter

½ lb. Thick-cut bacon, cut into ½ inch strips

Fresh ground pepper, rosemary, thyme, and cayenne pepper to taste.

1/8 c. apple cider

Directions: Melt butter in skillet and add apples and onions. Toss to coat, and cook for 2 minutes. Add bacon and spices to mixture, and continue to cook until bacon is desired crispness and onions are clear. Add apple cider and stir to remove all drippings from the bottom of the pan, then cook until cider is reduced to almost a syrup (about 2-3 minutes). Serve with eggs and toast, or as a side for Parmesan & spinach quiche.