Rice-Stuffed Apples

  • 3 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 1/2 cup uncooked rice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 4 large baking apples
  • 1/4 cup apple juice or cider

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium-sized skillet. Add the onion and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in the water, rice, allspice, and ginger. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and cover the skillet. Simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender but not soft. Stir in the raisins. Core the apples. leaving about 1/4 inch of flesh at the bottoms. Scoop out approximately 1/4 inch of flesh from the centers. Chop and add to the rice mixture. Place the apples in a baking dish and spoon the rice stuffing into and on top of the apples. Add apple juice. Cut the remaining tablespoon of butter into small pieces and dot over the rice mixture. Cover loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Serve hot.

Makes 4 servings.

Make a quick variation of this dish by using leftover cooked rice (jasmine is wonderful) and cooking the apples in the microwave on HIGH for 3 to 4 minutes per apple. Serve as a light lunch or as a vegetable and grain side dish with roast chicken or pork.

Approximate nutritional analysis (per serving): calories, 365; fat, 10 g; cholesterol, 23 mg; sodium, 62 mg; carbohydrates, 71 g; dietary fiber, 7 g; protein, 3 g; percent calories from fat, 25%.

Source: Reprinted with permission of Olwen Woodier, from The Apple Cookbook (Storey Books, 2001).
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Some quick and easy apple snacking ideas:

  • Apple slices with peanut butter or caramel
  • Crackers and cheese topped with an apple slice
  • Melt a piece of cheese on an apple slice
  • Mix an apple with your favorite yogurt and top with granola
  • Mix apples with peanut butter or cream cheese and spread on celery stick
  • Top your favorite cereal with chopped apples
  • Mix equal parts of marshmallow cream and cream cheese in a bowl. Dip apple slices in mixture.
  • Cut apple into 4 or 6 wedges. Wash and pat dry. Spread peanut butter on each wedge and roll in rice crispy cereal, or graham cracker crumbs or both.
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Applesauce

  • 4 medium Pennsylvania apples, each peeled, cored, and sliced.
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/3 – 1/2 cup sugar, if needed
  • 1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Heat apples and water to boiling over medium heat; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered, stirring frequently to break apart the apples, until apples are tender and of the right consistency (at least 5-10 minutes). Depending on the apples, you may not need to add sugar. If you are using tarter apples, you can add sugar to taste.

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Three Fruit Salad

Ingredients for Salad:
  • 1 fresh Pennsylvania apple cut in small pieces
  • 1 banana, peeled and sliced
  • 1/4 cup pineapple chunks, drained
Dressing:
  • 1/4 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
  • 1 Tbsp. pineapple juice
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • Sprinkle nutmeg to taste

Combine fruit in medium bowl. Blend all dressing ingredients and pour over fruit. Makes 4 servings.

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Apple Spinach Salad

  • 1 bag spinach or 1 head of fresh spinach
  • 1/2 pack of bacon
  • 1/4 bag of dried cranberries
  • 1 chopped Pennsylvania apples (your favorite variety)
  • Honey mustard salad dressing

Fry bacon and crumble into pieces. Place spinach in a bowl. Add bacon pieces, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1 chopped apple. Serve on a plate with honey mustard dressing.

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Apple Coleslaw

  • 1 bag of cabbage shredded
  • 2 large carrots peeled and shredded
  • 1/2 cup finely minced parsley leaves
  • 4 Pennsylvania apples (your favorite eating variety) cored, peeled, and diced fine
Dressing:
  • 1/4 cup of cider vinegar
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup poppy seeds
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. black pepper

In a bowl, combine all ingredients for the dressing and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine cabbage, carrots, parsley, and apples. Mix dressing and cabbage together. Refrigerate for at least 1/2 hour. Mix well before serving.

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Applesauce Baked Beans

  • 4 cups of cooked beans (cooked according to bean package’s instructions)
  • 1 cup bean liquid
  • 1/4 cup vinegar
  • 3/4 cup molasses
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 6 oz. tomato paste
  • 2 tsp. dry mustard
  • 1/2 tsp. cloves
  • 1 onion, sliced, optional
  • 2 oz. bacon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooking spray

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Spray a 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Arrange onion on the bottom of pan.

Add beans. Combine remaining ingredients and stir into beans. Cook uncovered for 2 1/2 hours. Remove lid and cook uncovered for 30 minutes or until browned on top.

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Low-Fat Apple Waldorf Salad

  • 1/3 cup low-fat mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup fat-free yogurt
  • 2 medium Pennsylvania apples, cored and cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1/2 fresh pineapple, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks, or one 15 oz. can of pineapple chunks, drained
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
  • 1/3 cup golden raisins

In a medium bowl, mix mayonnaise and yogurt until blended. Add apples, pineapple, celery, walnuts and raisins. Stir together.

Makes 6 servings.

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Chicken Salad

  • 3 cups cooked chicken breasts - diced
  • 1 cup Pennsylvania apples diced fine
  • 1 cup seedless grapes (cut in halves)
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 cups mayonnaise or more to taste

In a large bowl combine chicken, Pennsylvania apples, grapes, celery, and pecans. Add mayonnaise and mix well. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Serve on a bread of choice or on a bed of lettuce as a salad.

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Apple Bread Stuffing

  • 2 cups of chopped Pennsylvania apples (your favorite variety, something a little firmer like a Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Cortland)
  • 1 1/2 cups sliced almonds (optional)
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 3/4 cup chopped celery
  • 4 Tbsp. butter or margarine
  • 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 6 cups of bread cubes (your favorite brand or variety)
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1/3 cup apple juice, or apple cider

Saute apples, almonds, onion and celery in butter until tender, (apples do not have to be very tender, they will get more tender while baking). Remove from heat and add cinnamon, poultry seasoning, and salt.

Add beaten egg to apple cider or apple juice.

Combine bread cubes and apple mixture; add egg mixture to combination. If the filling seems to dry, add a little more apple cider or apple juice to moisten.

If stuffing a turkey, use a 15-20 pound turkey. (following turkey baking directions)

If not, cover the filling and bake for 1 hour or until done at 350 degrees F.

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Celery and Apple Steam-fry with Honey-Mustard Dressing

  • 1 cup water
  • 4 cups diagonally sliced celery cut 1/2 inch thick
  • 2 cups diced sweet red apples (about 2 medium apples)
  • 2 Tbsp. Dijon-style mustard
  • 1 Tbsp. honey
  • 1 tsp. cornstarch
  • Pinch ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts (optional)
In a large skillet bring water to a boil. Add celery and apples; cook and stir until crisp-tender, about 8 minutes. In a small bowl combine mustard, honey, cornstarch and black pepper with 2 Tbsp. water. Add celery mixture, stirring constantly; cook and stir until clear and thickened, about 1 minute. Stir in walnuts, if desired.

Makes 4 servings.

Nutrient analysis per serving: Calories, 108; fat, 3 g; cholesterol, 0mg; fiber, 3 g; sodium, 199mg; percent calories from fat, 26%.
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German-Style Cooked Apple and Cabbage

  • 8 cups shredded red or green cabbage
  • 5 cups peeled and sliced tart Pennsylvania apples
  • 4 cups boiling, salted water
  • 4 slices bacon, diced
  • 1 cup sliced onion
  • 2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp. dried fennel seed, crushed (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

In a large saucepot combine cabbage, apples, and water; simmer 5 minutes or until cabbage is barely tender.  Drain and remove cabbage and apple mixture to serving bowl.  In a large skillet, fry bacon and onion until onion is tender; stir in vinegar, sugar, and fennel seed, if desired.  Cook 2 minutes.  Pour bacon mixture over cabbage and apple; mix lightly and serve.  Makes 6 serving.
 
Nutrient Analysis Per Serving: Calories, 123; Fat, 3 g; Cholesterol, 4 mg; Fiber, 4 g; Sodium, 86 mg; Percent calories from Fat, 19%.

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Brown Bag Fruit Mix

  • 1/2 cup Pennsylvania apple, unpared, diced
  • 1/2 cup banana, sliced
  • 1/2 cup grapefruit sections, cut up
  • 2 Tbsp. grapefruit or pineapple juice
  • 1/3 cup grapes, halved
  • 1/3 cup pineapple tidbits, juice-packed, drained

Mix apples, bananas, and grapefruit sections with juice to prevent darkening of apples and bananas.  Add grapes and pineapple and chill (Fresh local fruits in season would be a great subsitution, if desired) Makes 2 servings, 1 cup each.

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:  Calories, 110; Cholesterol, 0; Sodium, 1 mg; Fat, 1 g; percent calories from fat, 8%.

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Royal Gala Apple Chips

  • 1 cup lemon-lime soda
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 Pennsylvania Royal Gala apple, skin on, sliced thin
  • 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
  • 4 Tbsp. sugar

Mix soda with lemon juice in a large bowl.  Place sliced apples in lemon juice mixture.  Remove, one at a time, and shake off excess liquid.  Place on a nonstick mat sprayed with pan coating.

In a separate bowl, combine cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle lightly over apple chips.  Dry in convection oven for 1 1/2 hours at 175 degrees F with low fan.  Remove and reserve in airtight container.  Yeilds about 10 chips

PA Preferred 2011 Recipe Book

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Apple Onion Soup

  • 1/2 oz. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 lb. Malibu or Vidalia onions, 1/4 inch slices
  • 1 1/2 lb. Spanish onions, 1/4 inch slices
  • 12 oz. Pennsylvania apple cider, unpasteurized, if available
  • 4 oz. brandy
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, chopped
  • 1 bay leaf, preferably fresh
  • 2 cups beef stock
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 32 oz. water, cold
  • 1 1/2 oz. roasted beef base, msg-free
  • 1/2 oz. roasted chicken base, msg-free
  • 2 1/2 cups Pennsylvania Granny Smith apples, if available, 1/2 inch dice
  • 1 Tbsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • as needed baguette croutons, toasted
  • 8 to 10 - 1/2 oz. slices of Gruyere cheese
  • 8 to 10 - 1/2 oz. slices of Provolone cheese
  • 8 to 10 - 1/2 oz. slices of Swiss cheese
  • as needed Royal Gala apple chips, optional

Heat olive oil in a large 18/10 stainless steel, thick-bottomed pan (a square pan works best) over high heat.  Add onions; saute briefly and turn heat to medium.  Caramelize for about 25-30 minutes, scraping bottom of pan regularly.  Add apple cider and reduce to a rich, thick syrup. 

Add brandy, thyme, and bay leaf; reduce.

Add stock, water, and bases and simmer lightly for 30 minutes.  Add apples and cook for another 10 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.  (if you are not serving immediately, reduce wate to 16 oz. and chill quickly with 2 cups of ice cubes to prevent apples from overcooking.)

**Substitute reduced-fat cheese for regular cheese, if desired.

PA Preferred 2011 Recipe Book

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Hi-Fiber Fruit Sampler

  • 12 pitted prunes (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2 bananas, sliced
  • 2 small Pennsylvania apples, cored and sliced
  • 2 slices fresh pineapple, quartered
  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 8 strawberries
  • mint sprigs

Arrange fruits on 4 individual plates, dividing equally.  Garnish each plate with mint sprig.  Makes 4 servings.

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:  Calories, 189; Fat, 1 g; Cholesterol, 0 mg; Fiber, 5 g; Sodium 2 mg; percent calories from fat, 4%.

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Glazed Apples and Raisins

  • 2 tsp. sweet butter
  • 1 tsp. canola oil
  • 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
  • 3 large Pennsylvania apples, cored and cut into 1/2 inch slices (about 1 1/2 lbs.)
  • 3/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup golden raisins

In a large nonstick skillet, heat the butter and oil over medium heat;  stir in the cinnamon, ginger, and cloves until blended.  Stir in the apples and cook, stirring constantly to coat the apples evenly with the spice mixture, for 2 minutes.  Add the remaining ingredients.  Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until apples are tender.  Remove from heat.  Let cool slightly and serve warm, or at room temperature.  Makes 4 servings.

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:  Calories, 170; Fat, 4 g; Cholesterol, 37 g; Sodium, 2 mg; percent calories from fat, 21%.

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Apple Cashew Salad

Susan McNitt, McNitts Fruit Farm, Milroy, PA

  • 1 head of lettuce
  • 1/2 bag of spinach
  • 4 small or 2 large red Pennsylvania apples, sliced and soaked in lemon juice; drain.
  • (add apples to salad just before tossing)
  • 1/2 lb. baby swiss cheese, grated
  • 1 - 12-14oz can whole cashews
  • Dressing:
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp. dry mustard
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/3 cup cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. chopped onion
  • 1 cup salad oil
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. poppy seed

Combine lettuce, spinach, cheese, and cashews.  Toss in apples before serving.

Dressing:  Combine sugar, dry mustard, salt, cider vinegar, and onion; mix well; slowly add salad oil and poppy seed.  Refrigerate dressing for 3 hours prior to use. 

Optional:  Add sliced stips of cooked chicken breasts for a luncheon salad entree.

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Sides and Salads