What To Make After Apple Picking

Apple-Arugula Salad

We don’t talk about how great fall salads are. They’re also a fantastic way to ease into the cooler months.

Ingredients for the Vinaigrette:

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste (start with 1/4 tsp of each)

Ingredients for the Spiced Walnuts:

• ½ cup walnut pieces
• Big pinch chili flakes
• 1tbsp sugar
• Splash of water (optional)

Ingredients for the Salad:

• 1 small radicchio, cored and roughly chopped
• 1 142-gram clamshell arugula
• 3oz smoked gouda, peeled into ribbons
• 1/2 cup spiced walnuts
• 2 Granny Smith apples, cored, sliced and tossed in vinaigrette to prevent browning

Directions

1. To make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk (or shake) together vinegar, Dijon, and maple syrup until smooth. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking or shake all together in a jar with a lid. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. To make the Spiced Walnuts: Preheat a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the walnuts and toast them dry for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently. Sprinkle in the sugar and a splash of water (about ½ tsp) if you want it to go a little faster. Keep stirring and as the sugar starts to caramelize add the chili flakes. Stir to coat the nuts then transfer candied nuts to a parchment-lined plate. Let cool completely then set aside (or munch and crunch).
3. To make the Salad: In a large salad bowl, in a large salad bowl, combine the chopped radicchio and arugula. Gently toss together. Scatter the vinaigrette-tossed apple slices over the greens, using up all the vinaigrette. Use a vegetable peeler or sharp knife to create thin ribbons of smoked gouda distribute over the salad. Finally, sprinkle the spiced walnuts on top. You can lightly toss everything together just before serving or leave it layered for a more composed look on the table.

Bavarian Apple Torte

Easy but impactful: crust, cream cheese and four cups of apples, topped with cinnamon and pecans. What’s not to love?

Ingredients for the Crust:

• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ cup oil
• 1 cup flour
• Pinch of kosher salt

Ingredients for the Filling:

• 8 oz block of cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Ingredients for the Apple Topping:

• 5 cups cored and sliced golden delicious apples (about four large)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup pecan pieces

Directions

1. Mix together the sugar, oil, flour and salt. Press into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Set aside.
2. Beat together the cream cheese, sugar, egg, cinnamon and vanilla until smooth. Pour into the pastry-lined pie plate and smooth it out with the back of a spoon.
3. Mix together the apples with sugar and cinnamon, then spoon over the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with pecan pieces.
4. Bake in preheated 350-degree F oven for 45-55 minutes or until the apples are tender and crust is lightly browned. Let cool for at least 30 minutes before enjoying.

Apple-Cheddar Dumplings

Whole little apples stuffed with cheddar, wrapped in puff pastry, then drizzled with maple syrup and a sprinkle of chives. It’s like a sweet and savoury hug.

Ingredients

• 6 small McIntosh apples
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 3/4 cups shredded sharp cheddar
• 1 450-g pkg puff pastry sheets, (2 sheets), thawed
• 1 large egg, beaten
• Maple syrup and chives for garnish

Directions

1. Position rack in centre of oven and preheat to 375F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
2. Core apples and retain 1⁄4-in. piece from the bottom of each core. Insert into cores to plug bottoms of apples. (This will keep filling from leaking.)
3. Stir together brown sugar, 1 tbsp butter, shredded cheddar.
4. Cut each puff pastry sheet into 4 equal squares. (You will have 8, but you’ll only need 6. Save remaining pieces for another use or decorations.) Arrange 6 squares, 2 inches apart, on a prepared baking sheet.
5. Place 1 apple in the centre of each square. Spoon cheddar mixture into hollows of apples. Gently gather corners of pastry up sides of apples, twisting to secure at the top as artfully as you can. Brush pastry all over with egg wash.
6. Bake until pastry is puffed and golden all over, 20 to 25 min. (Don’t bake for longer than 25 min; otherwise, apples may collapse inside pastry.) Plate them up and drizzle with maple syrup and sprinkle with chives. Enjoy!