I don't know if you have managed to see it live on tv or even participated in it, but this is the popular week of 'Bull Running' In Pamplona, Spain.The hoards of people that all travel to Pamplona to take part in this annual event are noticeable by their ''uniforms'', all in white with a red neckercheif. We get Spanish television so get to see it every morning, It still amazes me after living here all these years, why on earth the crowds that gather in Pamplona put theirselves at risk all in the name of tradition. I tend to watch it from behind a cushion, you know inevitably someone will get hurt.
Well today as promised is another bunch of recipes, this time using apples which you may be fortunate enough to have growing in your garden.
Apples can be used in many different ways, from a nice crisp apple to eat on the go to a traditional favourite of apple pie and custard.
I am going to start off with one of my childrens favourites...
Toffee Apples
This recipe is to make 7
you will need:- 7 wooden skewers or sticks
7 medium size dessert apples
3/4 Lb demerara sugar (375g)
1 & 1/2 oz butter(38g)
1 teaspoon of vinegar
3 fl oz water (88ml)
1 tablespoon of golden syrup
1/ First, insert a skewere firmly into the core of each apple.
2/Heat the remaining ingredients in a heavy based saucepan,until the sugar has dissolved, bring to the boil for 5 minutes,WITHOUT stirring until a little of the mixture dropped into cold water , forms a hard ball.
3/Brush the sides of the pan with a brush dipped in water occasionally during boiling, this helps to prevent crystals forming.
4/Remove from the heat and dip the pan immediately into cold water to stop the cooking.
5/Tilt the pan slightly and dip the apples one at a time into the mixture.
6/Lift out and twirl over the pan once or twice until evenly coated.
7/ Place on an oiled baking sheet until the toffee has hardened.
*They can be wrapped in sellophane to give as gifts to youg visitors ! *
A variation on the traditional apple pie is :-
Upside Down Apple Tart
You will need :- 8 oz (225g) puff pastry,(bought or home made)
6 cooking pples
lemon juice
3oz (75g) caster sugar
1 oz (25g) unsalted butter
pinch of cinnamon
1/....Firstly, Roll out the pastry on a floured board and cut a 10'' (25cm) circle, then place this in the fridge.
2/...Peel and core the apples,then cut into eighths.Sprinkle with lemon juice,(to stop from going brown),
3/...Pour the sugar over the base of a 9'' (23cms) cake tin and dot with butter.
4...Preheat the oven to 220'C/425'F/gas mark 7
5/...Arrange the apples in the base of the tin, add the cinnamon.
6/...Place the pastry circle over the apples tucking in any surplus in around the edge of the tin.
7/...Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and cooked.
8/...Leave to cool in the tin a few minutes, then place a serving plate over the tin and invert.
9/...Serve warm or cold, with cream, ice cream or custard.
You will need:- 1 Lb cooking Apples
1 oz unsalted butter
caster sugar (optional)
1/ ..Peel, Core and slice the apples.
2/.. Place them in a pan with 2-3 tablespoons of water and cook over a low heat for 10 minutes.
3/... Rub the cooked apples through a sieve or put them in a liquidiser to make a puree.
4/ ...Stir in the butter and season if required with the sugar.
5/.. Serve with roast pork,goose, grilled sausages or bacon.
Apple and Walnut Salad
You will need:- small lettuce
6 stalks of celery
3 large eating apples
3oz (75g) chopped walnuts
1/4 (150ml) mayonaise
5 tablespoons fresh double cream or soured cream
1 tablespoon of vinegar
juice of 1 medium lemon
1/...Firstly, wash lettuce leaves and shake dry.
2/... Tear into bite-size pieces and use to cover base of serving dish.
3/...Cut celery into thin slices and put into bowl.
4/...Peel and core 2 apples and cut into thin slices,add to celery, together with the chopped nuts and mix well.
5/...Combine the mayonaise with cream and vinegar.
6/.. Pour over apple mixture and toss together until all ingredients are thickly coated.
7/...Arrange over the lettuce.
8/...Cut third apple,unpeeled into thin slices.
9/...Dip into lemon juice to prevent browning , then arrange on top of salad.
10/...Serve and enjoy !
Baked Apples with Syrup and lemon
you will need:- 4 cooking apples (or bramleys)
1 level tablespoon golden syrup
1/2 level teaspoon finely grated lemon rind
3 tablespoons of warm water
1/...Firstly wash and dry the apples,then remove cores 2/3 of the way down each.
2/...With a sharp knife,score a line around each apple about a third of the way down from the top.
3/...Stand the apples in a heatproof dish.
4/...Mix syrup and lemon rind together,then spoon equal amounts into the apple cavaties.
5/...Top each one with a knob of butter,then pour the warm water into the dish.
6/...Bake in a moderate oven for 45 minutes-1 hour, until apples puff up and are tender.
7/...Baste at least twice while the apples are cooking.
8/... Serve with cream,yogurt or custard.
I hope That you will try one, if not all of these recipes, Apples are very good for you..........After all....
''An apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away!!''What are you waiting for??? Go eat an apple :)
Reported Health Benefits of Apple :
- Apple is a rich source of flavonoid and polyphenols both are powerful antioxidant.
- Study shown that by eating 100g of apple can give an antioxidant effect that equal to taking about 1,500mg of vitamin C.
- Apple contain a large amount of minerals and vitamins that can strengthen the blood.
- Apple contain malic acid and tartaric acid, that can help prevent disturbances of the liver and digestion.
- Apple cider vinegar when used as beverage can help to prevent the formation of kidney stone.
- The skin of Apple contain pectin that can help remove toxic substances from the system by supplying galacturonic acid. Pectin helps prevent protein matter in the intestine from spoiling.
- Eating an apple daily can reduce cholesteral.
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