My winter CSA ended the week before Christmas.
I know it’s heart breaking. I haven’t mentioned it sooner because honestly I’m not ready to talk about it, much less deal with it. I prefer to take the ostrich route and bury my head in the sand, which is a very effective coping mechanism recommended by no medical professional anywhere.
In any event, I got a pretty decent sized bag of apples that last week. If I had thought about it and realized I’d be doing a post about them… if I hadn’t caught the plague… if decent lighting actually coincided with the hours I’m home and if they hadn’t been received during the holiday madness, I might have taken a picture of my pretty little apples. Then again, I might not have.
Either way, you’re getting a stock photo from the internet. Ooh look how shiny.
(source)
Gone are the days of just biting into an apple and chomping away. In October, sure I’d gnaw away, braces and all, but not in January. It’s too late in the season and frankly I’m bored with downing apples straight up. I did that for months, and I’m ready to move on.
My recently departed CSA had other ideas though.
So I went on an apple hunt. I scoured the internet, Pinterest, my favorite food bloggers…you know all my usual haunts in search of some good old-fashioned apple recipes, and let me tell you, you guys did not disappoint.
First, I made some Chewy Apple Oatmeal Cookies, mostly because I promised my father-in-law cookies way back in November, so it was high time I actually delivered. Sometimes I think the beater is the best part, although these cookies are hard to deny, provided you’re into oatmeal cookies sans chocolate. I know we’re a rare breed; I say embrace it. These cookies are chewy on the inside, yet crispy on the outside. Cookie perfection.
Moving on, I dipped my toe or really dove head first into less healthy waters. Yes, I’m qualifying the cookies above as healthy, and while it’s a stretch, they are better than donuts, which is where I went next.
I made these mini Apple Fritter balls.
Balls aside, which I’m sure can’t be good since it’s not their natural state, these mini fritters were magically delicious. They were also fried and then dipped in icing, which is a recipe for success, although not one I’d eat every weekend. In fact, before I popped these, which is akin to ♫ popping tags ♫ but better, I can’t even remember the last time I enjoyed a donut. They made my black little heart skip a beat with delight. That might have been the fat and sugar, but whatever. I like indulging from time to time, especially when it’s covered in icing.
Back into calmer waters, I also made a great big batch of Ms. Amanda’s Chunky Homemade Applesauce. While I didn’t dip each apple slice in lemon water because I was short on time, I did squeeze lemon juice over them, while simultaneously dousing them in cinnamon, and the end result was sweet bliss, made only sweeter when eaten from a heart-shaped bowl. In the words of Amanda, Awwwr.
Next up was Jenn’s Creamy Potato Apple Brie Soup, which involved some of my favorite things. Spuds: check (also from my CSA). Fruit: check. Cheese: check. With ingredients like this, it’s impossible to go wrong. Throw in a Crock Pot, and it couldn’t be easier. The Hubby declared this soup “fantastic; an absolute keeper.” Even though I don’t always agree with my man, this time he was right. “Yes, yes, honey I’ll put it on the calendar. I’ll also see you tonight,” she says with raised eyebrows and a flirtatious glance. I haven’t seen my man in days, so please forgive my modest internet teasing.
Last but most certainly not least, is Kirsten’s Finnish Oven Pancake. When I saw this recipe, I automatically knew I’d be making this one day since they reminded me of a dish I used to get at a pancake house in Buffalo: the Dutch Boy. Dun, dun, dun. If you’re picturing a cute little blond-haired, blue-eyed Dutch boy skipping down the cobblestone street in wooden clogs, stop right now.
Instead you should envision a world where your pancake is actually your plate. Um hello, it doesn’t get much better than this, well unless you decide to add butter. Obviously.
These pancakes are thicker than usual, although they are light and super airy, with a texture more reminiscent of puff pastry than hotcakes. They are amazing, and I am head over heels in love. I actually used Buttermilk instead of the Eggnog the recipe called for because that’s what I had in my fridge, which I know Kirsten will understand. This recipe only requires a smidgeon of sugar and a dash of butter, so you can bet this will become a regular in my weekend rotation.
I topped my Dutch Boy, which sounds highly inappropriate and also explains why Kirsten calls them Finnish Oven Pancakes, with a pat of butter, the juice from half a lemon, Amanda’s Chucky Applesauce, more cinnamon and a puff of powdered sugar.
I am already plotting how to top my next one. Perhaps I will dip into my stockpile of frozen fruit. Strawberries are sounding particularly appealing.
Now in no way related to apples, I thought I’d share how my frisky felines feel about my food photography station. That’s Max, my geriatric cat on the left and Oscar, the young whippersnapper, on the right. Samantha couldn’t be bothered with food.
This post is linked to Laura’s Strange But Good because hello, pancake plates. It’s also linked to She Eats’ Fresh Food because it doesn’t get much fresher than this. Plus, I’m also officially ‘fresh’ out of apples. Oh brother.
Are you still eating apples? What’s your favorite apple recipe? Feel free to include a link in the comments section.
Oh my goddddddddd YES. This post is getting bookmarked. I’m so impressed that you made fritters… And I love the genius idea of putting brie into soup. And an oven pancake?! I don’t even know wtf an oven pancake is, but I NEED one.
AHHHH.
The fritters were shockingly easy to make so I highly recommend them. So was the Oven Pancake.
You can never go wrong when Brie is involved.
Dreaming of that pancake will get me through my long run this weekend. Holy crap.
Dream big baby because this pancake is a beast. A delicious and drool worthy beast.
I believe we do have a couple of apples in the crisper alongside the remainder of the Band Fruit Fundraiser tangelos and the Royal Riviera Pears we picked up last weekend at the Harry & David outlet store. Damn those pears are good. Too good to do anything other than core (for Crystal the composting pig), slice, and eat.
I’m pleased as punch to see your Finnish Oven Pancakes–and your photos turned out spectacularly! I typically have a supreme fail trying to take sections out of the pan . . . aha, you just snagged the entire thing–there ya go. Perhaps we should just eat more of it! Anyway, I think I need your photos of the plated pancake. And buttermilk is an excellent idea. I was all set to snag marked down eggnog at the store and then poof–it vanished. So much for additional eggnog recipes pre done for next year.
My new apple recipes, however, are an apple cheddar soaked oat muffin (yummy, tasty, but not light enough yet, hence I still have apples to tweak it) and sausage cheese apple balls (the Bisquick type appetizer?). My son makes those for us 😉
Have fun with your honey this weekend!
I didn’t even try to cut the pancake until it was on my plate. I just grabbed the entire thing probably because that’s how it was served to me at the pancake house I went to growing up. It is delicious, and since I used a hand mixer and stood there for 10 minutes (yep I totally did) and Buttermilk, I was worried it wouldn’t be airy enough, and I’m thrilled I was wrong. The man and I both loved it!!
I will happily send you all my pancake photos, and you can do with them whatever you want, so long as you eat one of those juicy pears in my honor. I’m salivating thinking about them.
Wuhhhhaaaaatttt. I’ve never seen pancakes like that but I am in dire need of them.
Yessss; you need these in your life.
I stopped in my tracks at Jenn’s soup. Again. I really must make that. And I must get a crock pot.
This morning I had a plate pancake too. Best thing ever, right? Volume eaters unite!
How do you not own a Crock Pot? For real, I’ve got two now and I’ve actually used them both at the same time. Meat version for him, meatless for me. 🙂
That Finnish oven pancake… I wasn’t even aware that something that magnificent existed. It makes the pancakes I’ve been making over the past couple of days look completely dwarfish and insignificant… and I was so proud of them too! And holy.crap do those fritters look amazing. It’s been WAY too long since I’ve had a genuine fritter, and if you still have some left over, I’m coming over for breakfast tomorrow morning…
Your pancakes are still quite amazing; they’re just a different breed is all. I highly recommend trying the pancakes and the fritters, although sadly there are none left. If you come over, I will them again though.
Your applesauce was fabulous as well, Ms. Humble. You’ve got a great recipe there.
Wow, way to go whoring about the innocent apple….I like it 😉
That dutch oven under the covers cake looks amazing- and just because it clearly doesn’t have enough apples, you douse it in that amazing sounding sauce- genius. apple on apple.
I am incredibly boring in the ways in enjoy apples- Ironically, rarely eaten in its original state, I love microwaving it with cinnamon and butter and mixing it with cottage cheese. Sweet, salty, tart. Bliss.
Do me a favor. The next time you microwave your apple, skip the cottage cheese (sorry buddy) and use a spoonful of brown sugar instead. It combines with the melted butter and makes an almost caramel like combination. It’s fantastic. Try it for me, pretty please, and then report back.
I eat apples All the time. I so love them that once ate five kilograms in an evening. I think, this family, because my mother the same fan of apples, as well as I. We could destroy all stocks of apples in the district. But I prefer apples in the fall – they more tasty and are grown up in my country. Now it is possible to find only import apples taste at which practically is absent in shop…
There’s nothing quite like a crisp and fresh apple eaten in the Fall. They’re also cheaper too.
I think you and your mom have great taste. 😉
Mmmm fat and sugar are always a good way to go, especially for the weekends 🙂 Those fritters though look adorable and delicious. And I’m bookmarking the pancakes to make ASAP because nothing could be better than a plate sized pancakes. Love the cats creeping into your work, hopefully they didn’t run off with any of the goodies.
Have a lovely weekend!
They didn’t get any of my goodies this time. I’m getting too good for them although Max definitely tried.
You need to make this pancake; it is wonderful!
Apples get me right giddy Meghan! Like, a cat in catnip kinda giddy. Especially when cooking with them. My favorite way to have them is in homemade apple sauce. Or in my Cold Weather Cocktail. Or both. I’m literally going to go to all your apple links and pin them for future use. Awesome post, love.
Thank you so much for linking up with Fresh Food Wednesday! Have a great week – hope to see you this Wednesday with more fresh food posts! xo, kristy
Apples should get you right giddy. Something ain’t right if they don’t.
Pin away m’dear, pin away.
Ok, so you had a little relief from the broccoli bombing this morning…I had to stop to reload! 😉 Plus, I knew this post was going to be full of so much deliciousness that it needed rested eyes to look upon! I love it…everything right down to the “puff” of powdered sugar! ha! Dutch baby pancakes…omg, it’s been FOREVER since I’ve made one! And I’m pretty sure Max is just pissed that once he got his roly polyness up on the table, he discovered the pancake was gone! Haha!
I just bought a big bag of apples from the store the other day (I know, SO not as good as the ones I used to get from the farmer’s market…man, I miss my Mutsu apples!) and have been snacking on one a day. Nowhere near as creative as you, but lately, my patience for cooking and food assembly that requires more than five minutes of my time has not really been my thing! Ha!
You’re right. He was looking around like “Where did it go.” Bad kitty.
We all go through those refuse to cook anything that takes more than five minutes spells. Cereal becomes my staple then. 🙂
In the meantime, enjoy those apples.