Reading Material

This past year I was asked to contribute recipes and pictures to a little magazine down in Corpus Christi. For the fall issue I decided to go with a theme... apples. Remember, how I said I was surrounded by them at one point in time, well this was why. I was cooking apples everyday in every way. So, since not everyone can see this, I thought I would share these here too. A couple of them, I've already posted, but there are a few others that are really really appetizing and completely easy that I didn't want you all to miss out!

The first and probably my favorite, was apple dressing. I never really ate dressing until about 2 years ago and now I don't think Thanksgiving is complete without it. This is different. It's not applely. I mean, it's not you are tasting just giant chunks of apple...they just bring out the other flavors so well. It's just plain good.

Apple Dressing




8 cups soft bread cubes
1 cup raisins (or less, add to taste)
3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cup onion -- chopped
1 cup celery -- chopped
3 cloves garlic -- minced
3 cups tart apples -- unpeeled and diced
1/4 cup parsley -- finely chopped
2 teaspoons teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika






Directions:


Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Lightly butter a 2 quart casserole dish. Cover raisins with boiling water and let sit for 5 minutes. Drain well then toss them with the bread cubes. In a skillet melt the butter and saute the onions, garlic, and celery for about 4 to 5 minutes. Stir the sauted onions into the bread cube mixture. Add the diced apples, parsley, salt and paprika and stir carefully. Place stuffing mix in the prepared dish. Bake the dressing at 350F for 30 to 40 minutes.


The second recipe is one of the easiest things I have ever made and SERIOUSLY yummy. Plus, the kiddos, really love it. At least mine did...and then as he was carrying it back to put it away....it dropped on the floor. At least I took its portrait before it fell!

Apple Cider Cheese Cake


1 can (10 oz size) apple pie filling
1 graham cracker pie crust (9-inch size)
1 package (8 oz size) cream cheese
4 tablespoons sour cream
4 packages instant spiced cider beverage mix
4 ounces whipped topping (I used homemade...not a big fan of cool whip)
1 crunchy-type granola bar


Spread apple pie filling on bottom of pie crust.
In large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sour cream & spiced cider mix until fluffy. Beat in thawed whipped topping. Pour over apple pie filling and refrigerate.
Crush granola bar & sprinkle on top just before serving.




The next two recipes are really for warmer days. At least for me anyway. I don't really love to eat this kind of stuff when it's cold. Don't ask me why, I just don't, at least not very often.




Apple Coleslaw

2 cups shredded red cabbage
2 cups green cabbage
1 small apple, cored and diced
1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup Apple juice
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/4 cup pistachios




Green Salad with Apple Vinaigrette with sweetened almonds


The sweetened almonds really compliment the more bitter taste of the viaigrette.
1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup apple juice
3 whole fresh basil leaves
1 teaspoon honey
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper


Combine parsley, vinegar, olive oil, apple juice, basil, honey, salt, dry mustard and pepper in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth.


Makes about 1 cup.