Apple blossom festivals are appearing all over the U.S.A. There is good evidence this will be another great apple season.
Your fresh apple supply is probably near the end, but you may still have some apple foods available – such as applesauce, dried apples, and apple cider.
Quick story on my apple cider morning fiasco -I had some apple cider in the refrigerator and wanted to have it for breakfast. I went to heat it up, but unfortunately, I forgot it on the stove. When I realized what I had done, the cider was all cooked down into a thick syrup. It was past the point of redemption, however, and now the pan is soaking in the sink. This is a poor way to start the morning and a quick reminder to tend to the job at hand!
Anyway, if you still have any applesauce and dried apples left form last fall, here is a recipe from my latest cookbook, Healthy to the Core! All Natural Low Sugar/No Sugar Apple Recipes for Kids. It’s not only for kids, though, but for the whole family, and easy enough for kids. But everyone needs to stay alert when using the stove, I remind myself and others.
Apple Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup flour
1 cup oatmeal (regular or quick)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water or apple juice or cider
1/3 cup dried apples
1/3 cup raisins
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1 cup applesauce, unsweetened
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup chopped nuts, optional
1. Grease cookie sheet or use parchment paper on pan.
2. In a medium bowl measure flour, oatmeal, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In small pan, add water or apple juice or cider and dried apples and raisins. Heat for a few minutes to plump dried fruit. Turn off heat and let cool.
4. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and add oil, applesauce, and vanilla. Stir together. Add dry ingredients and combine.
5. Add dried fruit mixture from saucepan. Mix to blend well. Add nuts (if using) and mix thoroughly.
6. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 9-12 minutes.
Makes about 3 dozen cookies
This is the time to use up foods from last season. What else besides applesauce do you need to use up before the new crop comes in?
Best to you,
Lee Jackson
author and food writer
http://wwwimagesunlimitedpublishing.com