Recipes

Apples are by far one of my favorite fruits, which is probably why I love the fall so much. Growing up in Virginia, there was nothing I loved more than picking McIntosh apples with my family. With the cooking spree that generally followed at home a close second. Between our homemade applesauce, apple crisp, apple pie, apple fritters, tarts, and Waldorf salads. Needless to say, things could get pretty fruity at home during the apple season.

While I have an extreme fondness for apples there is also a great legacy of apple-loving in America. Apples have been recorded as culinary staples in colonial kitchens stemming back to the early 1600s, making them a true staple of American culture.

In 1603, Jamestown settlers grew apples for one sole purpose- making cider. The apples they produced then were small, tart varieties more akin to crab apples, unlike the handy fruit snacks we enjoy today. 

Even though apples are not the most purchased fruit in the United States. They come in at a close second behind bananas. But whether it’s through fresh apples or apple products, the average American consumes roughly 19 pounds per year. Making them the perfect fat-free, low-cal, sodium-free, cholesterol-free 80-calorie snack. 

As the adage goes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Eating an apple before bed can help cleanse and whiten your teeth, and eating the skin of apples can provide you with age-fighting anti-oxidants, including Quercetin, apples are nutrient-dense in fiber and contain high levels of boron, which increases mental alertness. Now for a new more modern American apple facts!

1) Washington State produces the most apples each year in the United States. 70% of all apples sold in the U.S. come from the Evergreen State. This is followed by production in New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Oregon, Ohio, and Idaho. 

2) The United States currently produces close to 200 unique varieties of apples but the only native apple in North America is the Crabapple. Crabapple trees once called common apples, became a staple of American markets as early as Boston in 1625. It is believed that apple seeds brought over from Europe began to change consumer markets and over time crabapples became out of step with American tastes. That was until the reemergence of the 20th-century cider renaissance, where now over 30 varieties of crabapples can be commonly found in store-bought microbrews. 

3) It takes an apple tree five years to produce its first fruit. Apple trees are slow, but steady producers. Once the tree begins to grow, each apple tree can become quite voluminous. The average tree can fill 20 fruit boxes, with the average box weighing in around 42 pounds! 

4) It takes around 40 apples to produce 1 gallon of cider. Making that each glass of cider you drink is the equivalent of 4 apples. 

5) The top 10 varieties sold in the United States are Gala, Red Delicious, Fuji, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Pink Lady, Braeburn, and Jazz. The most used apple for baking is the Red Delicious, due to its sweet, rich flavor. The top cider-producing apples are McIntosh, Rome, and Empire.

Now that we all know a little more about these naturally sweet snacks, I thought I would share with you a few ideas to get you thinking of all things apple in the season to come. Five Marc Zboch-Inspired recipes inspired by the fall classic: A Marc Thomas.

So pull out those crock-pots, baking mitts, and coffee mugs! Here are my 5 favorite apple recipes for the fall season ahead.

Crock-Pot Apple Chia Cider: What I love about this recipe is that it’s super easy to make, stores well, reheats like a dream, and encompasses my two favorite drinks, cider, and Chai tea. This drink is always a favorite for family get-togethers and family movie nights deep in the Fall. The best part? It can be prepped in under five minutes! This will be your new go-to drink this fall at home!

Harvest Crock-Pot Apple Butter: Need a way to use up leftover apples? This organic apple butter is perfect for just that! I often use leftover apples from my Crock Pot Apple Chai Cider recipe! What I love about this tasty apple butter is it is a truly low and slow recipe, but oh so worth the wait. Depending on the sweetness of the apples used, the amount of sugar used in this recipe can be reduced or removed as a whole, making this a true low-glycemic recipe! 

Crock-Pot Pork Loin with Apple-Cranberry Sauce: Looking for a super simple weeknight meal idea? Well, it doesn’t get much easier than my Crock-Pot Pork Loin with Apple-Cranberry Sauce! What’s nice about this dish, is that is can be made for a weeknight dinner, taken along to a potluck meal, or even served for Christmas Dinner. And my favorite part of this recipe? The aroma put off by the rosemary, granny smith apples, and cranberries. It’s reminiscent of the holiday season!

Make-Ahead Apple Pie Pecan Chia Seed Pudding: This yummy, nutrient-dense, flavor-packed chia seed pudding is a fun and frugal vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, soy-free recipe you’ll want to try this coming apple season! Enjoy it on toast, layered in parfaits, or warmed for a fun breakfast treat! 

DIY All-Natural Apple-Honey Cough Syrup Recipe: If you are anything like me, then throughout the year you suffer from dry, scratchy, painful throat symptoms. With allergy season right around the corner, here’s my go-to fall All-Natural Apple-Honey Cough Syrup! Not only is this blend all-natural, but it also costs a mere $0.50 per bottle!

Friends, those are my 5 favorite go-to apple recipes each fall. With the start of National Month a few short days away, I hope these recipes will inspire you to think outside the box when it comes to America’s favorite snack, the apple! Now, I’ve got to ask, do you have any go-to apple recipes you enjoy each fall? If so, I’d love to hear about them below! 

If you feel as though you are stuck in a bit of a cooking rut, then you are not alone. It may be that you are too busy with the kids to make time for it, or that you lack confidence in the kitchen. Either way, there are things you can do to try and get back into the swing of cooking. Take a look below to find out more. 

Take a Class

If you want to expand your horizons, then you may want to sign up for a culinary class. You will learn new techniques and you may even find that you can discover a new passion. If you don’t have a lot of time in the day, it is easy to take an online class. Alternatively, you can take one in person. Either way, you just need to find out what works for you, so you can take a step toward a better future for yourself and your family.

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Simplify It

Don’t feel you have to tackle a very complicated recipe or even a nine-course meal, immediately. There is a lot of time for you to channel your inner chef, but right now, you simply need to focus on the idea of getting back into the kitchen. Building your confidence is a good idea, so you can try and keep pushing forward. As your confidence grows, you should invest in your hobby. Getting an outdoor kitchen is a great way to inspire the whole family.  

Get Creative

Don’t let leftovers go to waste. It’s wise to try and get creative so you can use them to give something new a go. Turn your roast chicken into a stir fry, or make your mash into potato pancakes. If you can do this, then you will soon find that you can make your ingredients go way further.

Put on Some Music

Music has a way of making the most mundane tasks, that bit more enjoyable. Put on your favorite playlist and let it influence your culinary creations. Sometimes exploring something like a French Bistro playlist sets the mood. Other times, it may be a classic rock playlist that gets you going. Either way, it’s a very good way for you to make the prep work a little bit more enjoyable so you can put the focus on what matters.

Embrace Canned Goods

If you enjoy cooking meals for your family, then you may be tempted to buy fresh vegetables. Although there is nothing wrong with this, you do have to remember that it can be challenging to sustain. After all, cutting and peeling vegetables can be time-consuming. If you want to do something about this then don’t be afraid to use canned goods. If you do this, you will soon find that you can make a big difference to your cooking. Using frozen vegetables is also a good idea, as it helps you avoid the prep work that is often associated with cooking meals from scratch. If you can keep this in mind it’ll help you out a lot in the future.

Comfort food is the best when it’s raining outside, and all you want to do is curl up on the couch with a blanket. But who wants to spend hours in the kitchen preparing to comfort food? That’s why there are some easy and innovative ways and recipes that will have your taste buds tingling with pleasure. So next time it rains, don’t spend all day in the kitchen – prepare some of my delicious comfort food recipes instead!

Fried chicken and waffles:

This classic comfort food dish is usually only reserved for special occasions. But why not enjoy it on a rainy day? All you need to do is cook up some fried chicken and waffles. Serve it with a side of honey or syrup, and you’ve got a meal that will make your taste buds happy. In addition, this dish is one of the easiest comfort foods to make.

Grilled cheese and tomato soup:

We can’t forget this classic recipe for that cold and rainy day. All you need to do is make some grilled cheese sandwiches and heat up some tomato soup. Then, serve the grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup and have a delicious and easy meal.

Macaroni and cheese:

This is another comfort food that is perfect for a rainy day. All you need to do is make some macaroni and cheese. You can either make it from scratch or use a boxed mix. Either way, it’s sure to be delicious. Serve it with a side of green beans or broccoli, and you’ve got a complete meal.

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Chicken pot pie:

This is another easy and delicious comfort food that is perfect for a rainy day. All you need to do is make a chicken pot pie. You can either make the crust from scratch or use a store-bought one. Either way, it’s sure to be delicious. Serve it with a side of salad or some fruit, and you’ve got a complete meal.

Mashed potatoes and bangers:

Another classic comfort food dish from the UK that is perfect for a rainy day. All you need to do is make some mashed potatoes and grilled bangers. Serve it with a side of peas or carrots, and you’ve got a delicious and easy meal. This is a classic recipe for mashed potatoes; hoping this is the one that fits your taste buds.

Beef stew: 

This classic comfort food dish is perfect for a rainy day. All you need to do is make some beef stew. You can either make it from scratch or use a store-bought mix. Either way, it’s sure to be delicious. Serve it with a side of bread or some crackers, and you’ve got a complete meal.

In conclusion, many easy and delicious comfort food recipes are perfect for a rainy day. So next time it rains, don’t spend all day in the kitchen – prepare some of these recipes instead! Your taste buds will thank you.

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Cooking meals at home can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, a few cooking skills that everyone should learn to make high-quality meals at home. These skills include chopping and slicing, sauteing, making rice, emulsifying, and blanching. Once you have learned these basics, you can cook a wide variety of recipes easily. In this article, we will discuss each of these cooking skills in detail and provide tips on how to perfect them.

Chopping and Slicing

One of the most basic, but essential cooking skills is chopping and slicing vegetables. This may seem like a no-brainer, but there is a right way and a wrong way to chop vegetables. The key is to use a sharp knife and ensure that all your cuts are even. This will not only make your vegetables look nicer, but it will also help them cook evenly. If you are new to chopping vegetables, start with something simple like carrots or celery. Once you get the hang of it, you can move on to more challenging veggies like onions and peppers. Here are some tips for how to chop vegetables properly:

• Use a sharp knife: A dull knife is more likely to slip and cause accidents than a sharp one.
• Cut even pieces: This will help your vegetables cook evenly.
• Start with simple veggies: If you are new to chopping vegetables, start with something like carrots or celery. Once you get the hang of it, you can move on to more challenging veggies like onions and peppers.

Sauteing

Sauteing is a cooking technique that involves cooking food in a pan over medium-high heat. This is a great way to cook vegetables, as they will retain their crispness and flavor. To properly saute vegetables and no-fry sweet and sour chicken, ensure that the pan is hot before adding the veggies. You also need to add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan and prevent the veggies from sticking. Once you have added the veggies, stir them frequently, so they cook evenly on all sides. Also, while sauteing is a great way to cook veggies, it’s not the only way. If you are looking for an alternative cooking method, you can try roasting your veggies in the oven. Roasting is a great way to bring out the natural sweetness of vegetables.

Making Rice

Rice is a staple in many cuisines worldwide, and it’s also a great side dish to have on hand. Rice is relatively easy to make, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind in order to make it perfect. First, you need to use the right ratio of water to rice. The general rule is two parts water to one part rice. Second, you need to bring the water to a boil before adding the rice. This will help cook the rice evenly. Third, once you have added the rice, reduce the heat and simmer until all the water has been absorbed. Lastly, fluff it with a fork before serving once the rice is cooked.

Emulsifying

An emulsion is a mixture of two liquids that are normally unable to be combined. A classic example of an emulsion is oil and vinegar. To create an emulsion, you need to add an emulsifier. An emulsifier is a substance that helps two liquids combine and stay combined. The most common type of emulsifier is lecithin, which can be found in egg yolks. Other common emulsifiers include mustard and honey. Emulsions are used in many recipes, such as salad dressings, sauces, and mayonnaise. Also, emulsions can be either temporary or permanent. A temporary emulsion, like a vinaigrette, will separate over time if left undisturbed. A permanent emulsion, like mayonnaise, will not separate even if left undisturbed.

Blanching

Blanching is a cooking technique that involves boiling a food briefly and then plunging it into ice water. This process can be used for both vegetables and fruits. Blanching is often done before freezing fruits and vegetables, as it helps preserve their color and texture. It can also be used to cook delicate items like shrimp. To blanch something, you need to first bring a pot of water to a boil. Then, add the food you want to blanch and let it cook for a specified time. After the allotted time has passed, remove the food from the pot with a slotted spoon and immediately plunge it into an ice bath. This will stop the cooking process and help preserve the color and texture of the food.

These are just a few of the many cooking skills you should learn in order to make high-quality meals at home. While some of these skills may seem daunting, they are quite easy to master with a little practice. So, don’t be afraid to experiment in the kitchen and try new techniques. You may be surprised at what you can create.

If you’re anything like me, you love spending time in the kitchen. Creating delicious dishes is a fun and rewarding experience – even better when they turn out beautifully. This blog post will discuss four tips that will help you create breathtaking dishes at home!

Use seasonal and fresh ingredients

One of the best ways to create a dish that is both delicious and visually appealing is to use seasonal and fresh ingredients. Seasonal produce is not only more flavorful, but it also tends to be more colorful, which can brighten up a dish. Fresh ingredients are also key – they will make your dish taste its best.

If you’re not sure what produce is in season, a quick Google search should do the trick. And when it comes to freshness, try to buy from local farmers’ markets or even grow your herbs and vegetables! Another tip for creating breathtaking dishes is to get creative with your presentation. Instead of just plating your food in a typical way, try thinking outside the box. For example, get creative with your garnishes, use fun plates or bowls, and play with how you arrange your food.

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Be adventurous with your flavor combinations

Another way to create a dish that is both delicious and beautiful is to be adventurous with your flavor combinations. Don’t be afraid to experiment with things like this slow cooker Cuban ropa vieja and new combinations – you might find your new favorite combination. Some of my personal favorites include:

• Peach and basil
• Strawberry and balsamic vinegar
• Mango and chili pepper
• Orange and rosemary

These are just a few examples, but the possibilities are endless! Just make sure to balance the flavors, so none are too overpowering.

Get creative with your presentation

One of the simplest ways to make your food look more appealing is to get creative with how you plate it. Try unexpectedly arranging your ingredients or using fun serving dishes. If you want to get fancy, you can even try your hand at some kitchen art! If you put in a little extra effort when it comes to presentation, your guests will be impressed before they even take their first bite. Another way to make your dishes look more appetizing is to use color. Incorporate a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables into your meals, or play around with different sauces and garnishes.

Get everyone involved

If you’re cooking for a large group, why not make it a fun activity and get everyone involved? Assign different tasks to people, such as chopping vegetables or mixing ingredients. Not only will this help speed up the process, but it’ll also be a great way to bond with your friends or family. And of course, the best part is that you’ll enjoy a delicious meal together at the end!

So there you have it—follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to impressing your guests with your culinary skills. With a bit of practice, anyone can learn to cook breathtaking dishes at home. Who knows—you might even find that you enjoy it more than you thought you would!

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Cooking is a great way to stay fit and healthy. It also helps you connect with your loved ones. With the help of new recipes, you can also try out some new things in the kitchen. We all know that cooking is a fun and rewarding activity. But sometimes, we can get stuck when trying out new recipes in our home kitchen. This is where these kitchen hacks come into play. With these hacks, you will be able to make your own food without any difficulty and enjoy cooking more than ever before!

How to Find New Recipes

It is hard to find new recipes when you are just starting to cook. A lot of the time, it seems like there is nothing new to try. That is where recipe research comes in handy. There are many ways that you can find new recipes. You can search by ingredients, cooking time, and more. You can also search by serving size and type of dish you want to make. The best way to find a new recipe is by browsing through your favorite food blogs, like this seared ahi tuna recipe with sesame crust, or magazines. You can also just choose to experiment more with ingredients that you have at home.

Choose and Buy the Right Ingredients for Your Recipe

When it comes to food, everyone has their own recipe. As there is no one-size-fits-all approach to cooking, you need to know how many people you will be cooking for before choosing the ingredients. Choosing the right ingredients for your recipe is a crucial part of the cooking process. It is important to understand what your recipe needs and how many people will be eating it so that you can make sure that you have all of the necessary ingredients on hand.

Tips for Tasting the Latest New Recipe Trends with Your Family

Every family has their own taste buds and preferences when it comes to food. No two people will agree on what is the best recipe for a particular dish. That’s why you should try out new recipes with your family or friends instead of getting stuck in a rut and sticking to the same old recipes.

Taste new recipes with your family: It’s always exciting to try out new dishes or ingredients that you haven’t had before, but as a parent, it can be difficult to find time for something different. If you’re looking for ways to get your family excited about trying out new dishes, then there are some tips that might help you out!

Give Yourself Some Flexibility When Trying Out New Recipes

When you’re cooking a new recipe, it’s tempting to follow the directions in the book. But sometimes, following the instructions can be a bit restrictive. If you want to try out new things, you need to have some flexibility when cooking. To do this, it helps to follow your own instincts and taste buds. If something doesn’t taste good or doesn’t look right, don’t be afraid to stop and make adjustments. But don’t worry about making mistakes or not following the recipe exactly as it is written in the book. If something goes wrong, just keep cooking until it’s fixed!