Apple Cider Syrup

I have a few aces in my cooking repertoire, and this one is probably at the top of the list. Like most things I cook and teach it’s pretty straightforward, laughably simple actually. It came about years ago when I had lots of apple cider left over from my family’s cider pressing party. I decided to reduce about a gallon of the cider until it just got syrupy which took my gallon down to about a pint and a half....... Read more »

Apple and Quince Tart

...Filling: about 5 cups sliced apples and quince (or apples and pears, see headnote), keeping apples and quince separate and slicing quince a bit thinner than the apples 1/3 – 1/2 cup sugar (depending on tartness of fruit) Zest of half a lemon 3 tablespoons reduced apple cider syrup* 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 tablespoons butter Depending on your ratio of quince to apples mix each with the respective amount, more or less, of sugar and lemon zest. Mix the...... Read more »

Black Radish, Carrot, Collard Green and Apple Salad with Toasted Walnuts

I love this combination of disparate flavors. Toast the walnuts a bit longer than you might typically--the hint of char is delicious here. ... Read more »

Late Summer Treat: Apple Dumpling

...many apples as you can but you will be rolling up the dough so keep that in mind. Sprinkle the apples evenly with the sugar and cinnamon and raisins, if using. Now carefully roll up the apple-filled dough starting on the short side. Roll as carefully and tightly as you can.   Slice the rolled up dough into 1 ½ -inch slices with a serrated knife (a bread knife works well) and arrange them, cut side up in an 8...... Read more »

Apple Pie

...to my sour cherry pie this week too. PIE CLASS? I love really good pie (crust) and am contemplating teaching a pie class in the next few weeks. Let me know if you’d be interested. Fruit pies, nuts pies/tarts, custard pies. . . all with excellent crust. It would be in Portland, OR on a weeknight evening or weekend afternoon, 2+ hours. Happy Thanksgiving! Apple Pie This is a pretty classic apple pie. You don’t want to slice the apples...... Read more »

Grated Apple Snack Cake

I was going for a not-too sweet apple dessert reminiscent of German and Italian apple pudding-cake like concoctions I grew up with, but a bit more cake-like. The addition of the sprinkle of brown sugar in the pan and the fresh nutmeg gives it a hint of Americana and cake doughnut flavor. All the fresh apples give it some weight but it's sill more cake than pudding! ... Read more »

Apple Dumpling

This is my mother’s recipe and I’m not sure where she found it or how she’s adapted it. You can use your favorite biscuit dough recipe or the simple one below that’s inspired by the Joy of Cooking. Be forewarned that you may find yourself eating too much of this or making it several times in a row or making lifelong friends with whomever you share it.   ... Read more »

Miso and Cider Vinegar Roasted Winter Vegetables

   ... Read more »

Apple and Pear Crisp

Simple, delicious!  ... Read more »

Bake With What You Have – Part I

...vegetable or nut oil) 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1 large apple, peeled, cored and roughly chopped grated zest of half a lemon (optional) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil or butter a 12 cup muffin tin. In a large bowl combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In another bowl combine applesauce, milk (or yogurt), honey, oil, egg and lemon zest, if using. Combine wet and dry ingredients and stir quickly until just combined. Add...... Read more »

Salads and Beans

...If you want a bean-heavy salad, just chop the greens and herbs a little finer and have the focal point be the beans, eggs, nuts, etc. And finally you need a zippy dressing. My standard is good olive oil (I like Unio by Siurana available locally at Pastaworks), lemon juice or red wine vinegar, salt and pepper and my secret ingredient: reduced apple cider. I take a half-gallon of organic apple cider and bring it to a boil in a...... Read more »

Perfect Pie

...after Thanksgiving. It’s about crimping that dough and praying that it won’t droop in the hot oven in all its buttery goodness. And it’s about apples and pumpkins, nuts and even leafy greens with eggs and spices that fill those buttery shells, that makes me happy. Apple Pie waiting to be covered and crimped (my favorite part). I’m dying to try this pie and this crust (even though I’ve always stuck with all-purpose flour for pie crust) and finally trying...... Read more »

Pie

Blackberry Pie and Pie-crust Cookies I’m teaching a pie class (sweet and savory) this Sunday, November 14. I am a bit evangelical about pie. I love to bake most anything but there is something about pie that appeals to the minimalist in me. Just flour, butter and water for that crust and apples, a little sugar and thickener for the filling and the sum of those few things is just so much more than you’d expect. But there are a...... Read more »

Baked Apples

...Greek yogurt and maple syrup. Baked Apples 4 apples, cut in half, peeled and cored (or pears or quince) 4 tablespoons chopped walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts or pecans 1/2 cup of chopped dried fruit (dates, raisins, dried cranberries, cherries, prunes or apricots) 2-3 tablespoons coconut sugar or brown sugar (or 1 -2 tablespoons honey) 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, cut into small pieces 3/4 cup apple cider or water Preheat oven to 375 degrees....... Read more »

Recipes

...Other Sweet Things   Apfelkuchen Apricot (or peach or plum) Cobbler Apple and Quince Tart Apple Oat Muffins Baked Apples Blackberry Slump Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting Chocolate Fudgy Cookies Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies Chocolate Pie Citrus and Coconut Brown Rice Pudding Corn Meal Pancakes Currant Cake (Johannesbeerkuchen) Jam Muffins No-Knead Bread Oak, Carrot and Nutmeg Muffins Pumpkin Seed Coconut Granola Rhubarb Yogurt Cake Quince Ricotta Bread Pudding (Ofenschlupfer) Rhubarb Crisp w/ Blackberry and Italian Prune Preserves Rice Custard...... Read more »

A Tribute to Henry

Henry ran off the path in to the woods just a few days ago and returned with an apple in his mouth. He loved fruit. He was my mother’s faithful companion for almost 15 years. Henry, whom my mother referred to as a puppy his whole life, decided it was time to call it quits yesterday. He was buried with a big, sweet Gravenstein apple. He lived a glorious life out in the woods and loved my mother so. In...... Read more »

Apfelkuchen

There are many apple confections that fall under this general title but I grew up with this particular one, a barely sweet apple tart really, and it will always have a special place in my heart and repertoire. It’s the same crust and preparation as the Zwetschgendatschi but I always make it in a half sheet pan. . . it’s wonderful for days and makes a fine breakfast, with or without whipped cream! Feel free to halve the recipe but...... Read more »

What a Wedding!

...that had been roasted overnight in a pit underground resting on the apple trimmings from the previous day’s cider pressing. Ryan, the expert pig roaster (and wedding officiator) and I preparing to "pull" that juicy amazing meat off the bones The dinner was followed by 45 minutes of moving and funny toasts and stories about the couple, amazing mini-bundt cakes made by Emily’s sister and then there was dancing, until 2 am! And now back to those corncakes. They make...... Read more »

Schmorgurken (German Braised Cucumbers)

There are many variations of this dish in Germany and I grew up with this simple, sweet and sour vegetarian one. Often ground beef or small meat balls are added to the mix and sometimes also tomato. I don’t know of any cooked cucumber dishes in the States but having grown up with this one in Germany it doesn’t seem odd to me and is well worth a try. The quantities are squishy for this recipe, confirmed by my mother. Just scale up or down to taste and depending on what you have. ... Read more »

Corn Chowder Salad

No time for chowder but have the same ingredients on hand, more or less?  Make this, robust and bright salad with a buttermilk dressing.   Variations Substitute halved cherry tomatoes for the bacon Substitute cilantro or basil for the parsley Substitute smoked trout for the bacon (see comment below)  ... Read more »

Radicchio and Celery Root Remoulade with Parsley and Walnuts

This is a colorful and hearty variation of the classic Celery Root Remoulade. You can substitute a vegan mayo and/or yogurt.... Read more »

Winter Squash with Crispy Breadcrumbs and Thyme

This is delicious hot, warm or at room temperature. The crispy bread crumbs are key as is the splash of vinegar at the end. You want to use a squash that keeps its shape when cooked, like butternut, delicata, sweet meat or hubbard varieties.   This could almost stand in for stuffing at a Thanksgiving table. It's savory and comforting but not at all heavy.... Read more »

Pantry

Creative Use for Jams & Compotes to Make Room for the New Harvest

...this granola without the jam/compote. It’s delicious and just lightly sweet. Seed & Coconut Granola   If you’re not using any jam/compote, increase the oil to 1/2 cup and increase the honey to 1/4 cup.   5 cups rolled oats 1 1/4 cups raw pumpkin seeds, hulled 1 1/4 cups raw sunflower seeds, hulled 1 1/2 cups coconut chips (also called flaked coconut) 1/2 pint of jam or fruit compote/apple sauce (see headnote) 1/2 cup maple syrup or liquid sweetener...... Read more »

Keeping Up With All the Produce

...whirlwind catch up job on some of it: Roasted peppers Roasted Tomatoes Cut the rotten parts out of a few quince and am plotting what to do with them all. Compote, paste, apple/quince crisp, jam. . . . And alas, threw away some rotting lettuce. I think tonight’s dinner will be a frittata with some of the roasted peppers or a Savory Bread Pudding with some of the peppers and roasted tomatoes and the rest of the basil I just...... Read more »

Apple Cider Syrup

related image

I have a few aces in my cooking repertoire, and this one is probably at the top of the list. Like most things I cook and teach it’s pretty straightforward, laughably simple actually. It came about years ago when I had lots of apple cider left over from my family’s cider pressing party. I decided to reduce about a gallon of the cider until it just got syrupy which took my gallon down to about a pint and a half….

Apple and Quince Tart

related image

…Filling: about 5 cups sliced apples and quince (or apples and pears, see headnote), keeping apples and quince separate and slicing quince a bit thinner than the apples 1/3 – 1/2 cup sugar (depending on tartness of fruit) Zest of half a lemon 3 tablespoons reduced apple cider syrup* 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 tablespoons butter Depending on your ratio of quince to apples mix each with the respective amount, more or less, of sugar and lemon zest. Mix the…

Late Summer Treat: Apple Dumpling

related image

…many apples as you can but you will be rolling up the dough so keep that in mind. Sprinkle the apples evenly with the sugar and cinnamon and raisins, if using. Now carefully roll up the apple-filled dough starting on the short side. Roll as carefully and tightly as you can.   Slice the rolled up dough into 1 ½ -inch slices with a serrated knife (a bread knife works well) and arrange them, cut side up in an 8…

Apple Pie

related image

…to my sour cherry pie this week too. PIE CLASS? I love really good pie (crust) and am contemplating teaching a pie class in the next few weeks. Let me know if you’d be interested. Fruit pies, nuts pies/tarts, custard pies. . . all with excellent crust. It would be in Portland, OR on a weeknight evening or weekend afternoon, 2+ hours. Happy Thanksgiving! Apple Pie This is a pretty classic apple pie. You don’t want to slice the apples…

Bake With What You Have – Part I

related image

…vegetable or nut oil) 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1 large apple, peeled, cored and roughly chopped grated zest of half a lemon (optional) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil or butter a 12 cup muffin tin. In a large bowl combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In another bowl combine applesauce, milk (or yogurt), honey, oil, egg and lemon zest, if using. Combine wet and dry ingredients and stir quickly until just combined. Add…

Salads and Beans

related image

…If you want a bean-heavy salad, just chop the greens and herbs a little finer and have the focal point be the beans, eggs, nuts, etc. And finally you need a zippy dressing. My standard is good olive oil (I like Unio by Siurana available locally at Pastaworks), lemon juice or red wine vinegar, salt and pepper and my secret ingredient: reduced apple cider. I take a half-gallon of organic apple cider and bring it to a boil in a…

Perfect Pie

related image

…after Thanksgiving. It’s about crimping that dough and praying that it won’t droop in the hot oven in all its buttery goodness. And it’s about apples and pumpkins, nuts and even leafy greens with eggs and spices that fill those buttery shells, that makes me happy. Apple Pie waiting to be covered and crimped (my favorite part). I’m dying to try this pie and this crust (even though I’ve always stuck with all-purpose flour for pie crust) and finally trying…

Pie

related image

Blackberry Pie and Pie-crust Cookies I’m teaching a pie class (sweet and savory) this Sunday, November 14. I am a bit evangelical about pie. I love to bake most anything but there is something about pie that appeals to the minimalist in me. Just flour, butter and water for that crust and apples, a little sugar and thickener for the filling and the sum of those few things is just so much more than you’d expect. But there are a…

Baked Apples

related image

…Greek yogurt and maple syrup. Baked Apples 4 apples, cut in half, peeled and cored (or pears or quince) 4 tablespoons chopped walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts or pecans 1/2 cup of chopped dried fruit (dates, raisins, dried cranberries, cherries, prunes or apricots) 2-3 tablespoons coconut sugar or brown sugar (or 1 -2 tablespoons honey) 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, cut into small pieces 3/4 cup apple cider or water Preheat oven to 375 degrees….

Recipes

related image

…Other Sweet Things   Apfelkuchen Apricot (or peach or plum) Cobbler Apple and Quince Tart Apple Oat Muffins Baked Apples Blackberry Slump Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting Chocolate Fudgy Cookies Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies Chocolate Pie Citrus and Coconut Brown Rice Pudding Corn Meal Pancakes Currant Cake (Johannesbeerkuchen) Jam Muffins No-Knead Bread Oak, Carrot and Nutmeg Muffins Pumpkin Seed Coconut Granola Rhubarb Yogurt Cake Quince Ricotta Bread Pudding (Ofenschlupfer) Rhubarb Crisp w/ Blackberry and Italian Prune Preserves Rice Custard…

A Tribute to Henry

related image

Henry ran off the path in to the woods just a few days ago and returned with an apple in his mouth. He loved fruit. He was my mother’s faithful companion for almost 15 years. Henry, whom my mother referred to as a puppy his whole life, decided it was time to call it quits yesterday. He was buried with a big, sweet Gravenstein apple. He lived a glorious life out in the woods and loved my mother so. In…

Apfelkuchen

related image

There are many apple confections that fall under this general title but I grew up with this particular one, a barely sweet apple tart really, and it will always have a special place in my heart and repertoire. It’s the same crust and preparation as the Zwetschgendatschi but I always make it in a half sheet pan. . . it’s wonderful for days and makes a fine breakfast, with or without whipped cream! Feel free to halve the recipe but…

What a Wedding!

related image

…that had been roasted overnight in a pit underground resting on the apple trimmings from the previous day’s cider pressing. Ryan, the expert pig roaster (and wedding officiator) and I preparing to “pull” that juicy amazing meat off the bones The dinner was followed by 45 minutes of moving and funny toasts and stories about the couple, amazing mini-bundt cakes made by Emily’s sister and then there was dancing, until 2 am! And now back to those corncakes. They make…

Creative Use for Jams & Compotes to Make Room for the New Harvest

related image

…this granola without the jam/compote. It’s delicious and just lightly sweet. Seed & Coconut Granola   If you’re not using any jam/compote, increase the oil to 1/2 cup and increase the honey to 1/4 cup.   5 cups rolled oats 1 1/4 cups raw pumpkin seeds, hulled 1 1/4 cups raw sunflower seeds, hulled 1 1/2 cups coconut chips (also called flaked coconut) 1/2 pint of jam or fruit compote/apple sauce (see headnote) 1/2 cup maple syrup or liquid sweetener…

Keeping Up With All the Produce

related image

…whirlwind catch up job on some of it: Roasted peppers Roasted Tomatoes Cut the rotten parts out of a few quince and am plotting what to do with them all. Compote, paste, apple/quince crisp, jam. . . . And alas, threw away some rotting lettuce. I think tonight’s dinner will be a frittata with some of the roasted peppers or a Savory Bread Pudding with some of the peppers and roasted tomatoes and the rest of the basil I just…