Keeping With The Times

living, learning, and keeping with the times

Homemade Apple Cider

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Homemade apple cider is so easy to make, I’m shocked I haven’t tried it before! But I suppose the only time I’d think about making apple cider is when I have so many apples I don’t know what to do with them—which is what happened this year.Homemade apple cider is so easy to make, I’m shocked I haven’t tried it before! But I suppose the only time I'd think about making apple cider is when I have so many apples I don't know what to do with them—which is what happened this year. Keeping With the TimesOur friends have a mini orchard and I was lucky enough to be given the go-ahead to pick all the apples I wanted! It was literally a windfall … perfect little apples falling off trees by the buckets. I scooped up as many as I could and quickly set about making pies, crisps, and sauce that will last until March. I used the smallest ones to make jelly (which is delicious btw) and I still had apples galore. What was I going to do with them all?

Well, one day I was out and about shopping and found myself at Williams-Sonoma (ha, I actually make a bee-line for that store) but, nevertheless… there I was. And the smell that was wafting about was incredible.

Turns out they were serving apple cider using their specialty spices and apple juice concentrate. I helped myself to a little sample, purchased the spices, but passed on the juice concentrate because I felt it was a bit expensive.

As I made a mental note to pick up some apple juice at the grocery store I had an “aha” moment … why don’t I make my own?!

So that’s how my homemade apple cider recipe was born.Homemade apple cider is so easy to make, I’m shocked I haven’t tried it before! But I suppose the only time I'd think about making apple cider is when I have so many apples I don't know what to do with them—which is what happened this year. Keeping With the TimesI made it for my family at Thanksgiving and it was a huge hit!Homemade apple cider is so easy to make, I’m shocked I haven’t tried it before! But I suppose the only time I'd think about making apple cider is when I have so many apples I don't know what to do with them—which is what happened this year. Keeping With the TimesPerfect for Christmas too!Homemade apple cider is so easy to make, I’m shocked I haven’t tried it before! But I suppose the only time I'd think about making apple cider is when I have so many apples I don't know what to do with them—which is what happened this year. Keeping With the Times

Homemade Apple Cider

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Homemade Apple Cider
Author: 
Recipe type: Beverage
 
Ingredients
  • Enough small apples to fill a large pot
  • Enough water to cover the apples
  • Brown sugar to taste (I used about 1/4 cup for the entire pot)
  • Mulling Spices (I used the Williams-Sonoma mix) but you could use:
  • cinnamon
  • dried orange rind
  • whole allspice
  • whole cloves
Instructions
  1. Wash apples; cut in half and remove stems and blossom ends
  2. Place in large pot and cover with water
  3. Bring to boil and let cook for 5 minutes
  4. Cover and reduce heat
  5. Simmer for 30 minutes
  6. Crush using a potato masher
  7. Let simmer 15 minutes more, adding water to keep the pot full
  8. Strain through a large colander and toss the pulp, seeds, skins, etc.
  9. Strain again through a fine sieve
  10. Line a clean colander with several layers of cheesecloth and strain again (or not, if you don't mind a bit of cloudiness which isn't a bad idea)
  11. Place strained juice in a big clean pot on the stove and bring to a boil
  12. Reduce heat and add 2-4 Tablespoons spices and brown sugar to taste
  13. Let simmer for 15 minutes, adding a bit of water if the juice tastes too strong
  14. Remove spices *see my note
  15. Serve in small mugs with a stick of cinnamon for garnish
Notes
I recommend the Williams-Sonoma Mulling Spices as the blend includes some oils that most likely really boost the flavour (and no this is not an ad ;)

I left the spices in the pot and let it all simmer on the stove as long as there was cider left ... the aroma in the house all day was incredible!

Enjoy!

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Homemade apple cider is so easy to make, I’m shocked I haven’t tried it before! But I suppose the only time I'd think about making apple cider is when I have so many apples I don't know what to do with them—which is what happened this year. Keeping With the Times

3-Minute Easy Baked Apple

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This 3-minute baked apple is a fast and easy meal solution I tend to fall back on time and time again.

It’s great for a quick meal if you happen to be alone, or there are just a couple of you. I especially love it for breakfast, but with the addition of a few extra sweet tidbits, it makes a lovely and healthy dessert.

3 Minute Baked Apple, Keeping With the Times

Wash, core and slice one apple (I don’t peel it) and place in an individual microwave-safe dish:

  • Add about 1 Tablespoon maple syrup (or sweetener of your choice), a bit of lemon juice, a dab of coconut oil or butter, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
  • Microwave on high for 2 – 3 minutes depending on your microwave and your taste.
  • Sprinkle with hazelnuts, or walnuts, or almonds … really the choices are endless. In fact I should just say “clean out your pantry!”
  • Add a bit of granola, sweetened coconut flakes, raisins, cranberries and/or bits of chocolate.
  • Pour a bit of milk or cream on top.
  • Serve with a slice of cheddar cheese or ice cream :)
  • Enjoy!

Apple Pie with Cheesy Rustic Crust

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Yay for September and all the amazing apples it bestows upon us so that we may make apple pie with a *rustic cheddar cheese crust.

Sugar, salt, fat … yumm.

Apple Pie with Rustic Crust, Keeping With the Times, Autumn ApplesOur neighbours recently purchased a property that has a orchard on it! Seriously? A dream I tell ya … but anyway … I shouldn’t complain since I’ve become the lucky recipient of the overflow … and not only do I love the apples, I love the leaves that come with them.

Apple Pie with Rustic Crust, Keeping With the Times, Autumn ApplesSo what’s the first thing you do when someone gives you apples … well you take photos of course!

The following photo is so jam packed with goodness. Take a gander at that cupboard! It was my Mom’s … and it’s probably over 80 years old. She used it for diapers, baby powder, etc. so it’s always been known as The Diaper Cabinet. The Diaper Cabinet now sits proudly in my kitchen.

As well as holding important papers, and a few crafty items, it’s also a station for charging iPads and phones … Mom would have been amazed at the latter. We cut a tiny hole in the back for cords (I’m sure she wouldn’t have minded.)

Apple Pie with Rustic Crust, Keeping With the Times, Autumn ApplesThe blue bowl is Medalta, and the vase is from Anthropologie (a gift from my daughter). And then there’s Sunday Suppers … sigh. But I digress! On to the pie:

Apple Pie with Rustic Crust, Keeping With the Times, Autumn Apples

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Apple Pie with Rustic Crust, Keeping With the Times, Autumn Apples

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I used my standard “never fail” crust and simply rolled some grated cheddar cheese into it …
… then I sprinkled some on top of the apples …
Apple Pie with Rustic Crust, Keeping With the Times, Autumn Apples… done …
Apple Pie with Rustic Crust, Keeping With the Times, Autumn Apples… done …
Apple Pie with Rustic Crust, Keeping With the Times, Autumn Apples… and done!
Apple Pie with Rustic Crust, Keeping With the Times, Autumn Apples… absolutely delicious!
Apple Pie with Rustic Crust, Keeping With the Times, Autumn Apples

These apples were tiny, so I simply cut them into quarters and removed the centre. I left the peel on since it was tender and would add extra fibre. As I worked, I sprinkled the apples with lemon juice to prevent browning.

For the pie filling:

  • 3 cups unpeeled apples, quartered (sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent browning)
  • 3/4 cup sugar mixed with 1 Tablespoon flour and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

I’ve raved about my pie crust before, but for those that haven’t heard about the best pie crust ever, here it is again:

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Apple Pie with Cheesy Rustic Crust
 
Ingredients
  • 1 pound lard
  • 5 cups flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp vinegar in water
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1 egg, well beaten
Instructions
  1. Mix dry ingredients together and cut into lard.
  2. Mix vinegar, water, egg and beat until fluffy.
  3. Blend together until dough starts to stick together nicely – sometimes I don’t use all the water, but if you did, I don’t think it would make a difference.
  4. Form into 5 or 6 discs and chill for 1/2 hour.
  5. Roll out the barrel, er dough, and make your pies!!
  6. **This dough will freeze beautifully (forever actually). Just take it out and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling it.
Notes
*Remember to add about 1 cup grated cheddar cheese to the dough and to sprinkle grated cheddar cheese on top of the apples before covering with the crust. Chewy, cheesy, goodness!

*Remember to add about 1 cup grated cheddar cheese to the dough and to sprinkle grated cheddar cheese on top of the apples before covering with the crust. Chewy, cheesy, goodness!

For my pie today, I did not make a bottom crust … i.e.: bottomless apple pie … sounds good right? Let me tell you, it was … .

If you haven’t been photo-bombed enough, and are craving a few more images, check out my Steller Story … so fun!

Apple Pie with Rustic Cheddar Cheese Crust, Keeping With the Times, Autumn Apples