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What’s Cooking?…Stewed Apples

I know, I can hear it….you are probably saying – Stewed Apples, are you for real. Well yes. I did give this some considerable thought and then I just decided yes. I will post this. Some people might say – just open a can, and of course you can, but, the taste is really not the same. I know it seems simple, but it really is easy to overlook the basics at times. As I have previously mentioned, I love to take an ordinary ingredient (or fabric for that matter) and create something really wonderful. I think apples are really in that space.

Apples have been around for a long time. They certainly were a temptation for Adam and Eve (although I have wondered at times if this could have been a quince?) An apple a day keeps the doctor away! There is some truth to that. Apples are an excellent digestive. It’s not without coincidence that they are served with pork to aid digestion. More about apples here.

Apples – The World’s Healthiest Foods

Apple Intake and Cancer Risk

Anyhow, back to the apples. Stewed apples are one of the great starter foods for babies, or as an invalid food if a person has been unwell or unable to eat a regular diet. They are easy to consume. Once the stewed apples are made, they can be used as a condiment for meat dishes – especially pork (think roast pork, pork chops or pork meatloaf).

What’s Cooking?…Crumbed Pork Chops

Stewed Apples can be used as an adjunct for tomato sauce, sausage rolls and for constructing many other wonderful dishes such as apple crumble, apple cakes, apple turnovers, apple strudel, apple pies, apple danish and apple buns. If a quick dessert is required, serve them warm or cold with a little ice-cream or yoghurt or even add as the filling for pancakes. They can also be used to make a version of Bircher Muesli. Please be aware that different apples at different periods of ripening, have different levels of sweetness.

This is how I do it.

Ingredients

2 kg of apples

½ cup sugar (or to taste)

1 teaspoon of ground cloves ( or one rounded teaspoon whole cloves)

Method

Half fill a medium/large saucepan with water. Peel and then slice the apples into the water. (This stops them from browning).

Once all the apples are prepared, drain off all the water. Sprinkle the sugar and cloves onto the apples.

Set the saucepan onto low heat with the lid off and gradually bring up to a simmer. This may take 20-30 minutes. Allow to simmer for a couple of minutes, then stir through. The apples will be a little pulpy and smell divine! Turn off the heat and allow to cool. Decant into a storage dish, cool and refrigerate until required. Remember if you have used the whole cloves to remove them before serving . Enjoy!

What’s Cooking?… Vegan Chocolate Apricot Crumble.

In December, in Australia, stone fruits begin to come into season. One of my hands down favorites are apricots. They are not only delicious fresh, but highly adaptable and super delicious cooked, dried or preserved.

Personal opinion only, but I’ve often thought that genetically people tend to be chocolate lovers or fruit lovers. So this morning when I was contemplating making apricot crumble for dessert, I thought why not make a marriage of the two and then slow cook it as well for the ultimate dessert! Incidentally, is a healthy dessert which can qualify as a vegan food if served without any dairy!

This is how I do it.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup of white sugar

1 kg fresh apricots, washed, halved and stoned

1 cup of rolled oats

1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup soft dark brown sugar

1 cup wholemeal self raising flour

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup water

Method

Set the oven to 140 degrees Celsius. Put the 2 tablespoons of olive oil into the base of a large baking pan. Move the pan around so the oil spreads out. Put the prepared apricots evenly on top. Sprinkle with the white sugar.

Meanwhile, combine the rest of the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. Add the oil and water. Mix through. Spoon the mixture gently over the top of the apricots.

Bake in the slow oven for 1 hour 20 minutes

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