Everything Apple

The last few months I haven't felt very inspired to tell you about my cooking. I don't know if it's because it's summer, but I just haven't felt like anything I made was very interesting. The fall makes me want to cook. I made Ratatouille last week. Chili another night, and banana bread yesterday. These were all recipes I have shared before, so there was no reason to post anything again.

However, today we went apple picking. We always go apple picking at the Eplegaarden in Fitchburg, WI. We went there the very 1st year that we were here. Or at least I think it was the 1st year - maybe it wasn't. It doesn't really matter. It's a great place no matter how many times we have been.

It's always odd to go and get these massive amounts of apples because I really don't like cooked fruit - even apples. It's always a challenge to figure out what to do with ALL those apples. My kids, however do like cooked fruit, so I figure out a way.

I decided to make cinnamon apples for them. It's easy and very much a fall recipe.

After apple picking, I pulled out my crock pot and peels and sliced about 8 apples (Blake does NOT like cinnamon apples with the peel, so this is a must for us). We picked a variety of apples so I couldn't really tell you what type I used - I know it wasn't red delicious - probably more like Redmax or Gala's mostly. We picked those as well as Spartan's and the Red Delicious.

About halfway through slicing and putting the apples in the crock pot, I put about 2 tbsp of butter as well as some sugar - about 2tbsp of raw unrefined and 1tbsp of brown sugar -- and a lot of cinnamon. I don't really know how much, but maybe about a tablespoon.

I continued slicing up the apples and then after I was done I added about the same to the top -- although it was probably less cinnamon and a little more sugar.

I supposed I should measure this stuff out. Sorry 'bout that.

They cooked for about 4 hours. I opened up the crock pot and stirred to get all the good juice all over the apples. I also couldn't help  but think these would be incredible with some ice cream on them. I have to admit that although I am not a big fan of mushy apples, I had to try them since they smelled so good and they were pretty decent. I didn't want to eat a whole bowl or anything, but I could see why the kids liked them.

After dinner my kids declared that these apples were better than any they'd had before. I'd like to think it was my whipped up recipe for the apples, but I suspect most of the credit goes to Eplegaarden for growing such fantastic apples.

Stay tuned for a few more apple ideas later this week. I promise.

Finally....

you may have noticed a change or 2 to the site. I have indeed changed the name. My focus has moved away from not dining out, to just cooking from scratch and cooking well. So, I changed it. Nothing big. Just me and my recipes and hopfully Hx will share some of her fall Colorado cookin' with us too. No pressure, Hx.