Dottie’s "Apple Pie” Recipe & “The Apple Cocktail” As Fall Begins….

I feel a chill in the air! The leaves are starting to fall. This means only one thing, that fall has turned the corner. The first day of autumn was Wednesday, the Autumnal Equinox. It is so hard to believe that the summer went by so fast and here we are in the fall season. I am ready for the fall, are you? 

When it gets cooler, I love to open the windows and just be able to breathe the crisp air that comes at this time of year. To me this is a magical season. Pumpkins, apples, Indian corn, and gourds are all around us. The colors of the leaves, with its gold, red, and green hues that are so brilliant it is like a kaleidoscope of colors. The hustle and bustle of the approaching holidays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and my favorite of all, Christmas. The chill in the air means sweaters, jackets, and rosy cheeks on children’s faces from playing outside in the leaves. As you look inside the windows of the houses, you can see families cooking, fireplaces lit, and you get the feeling of a warm cozy home. 

Cooking hearty meals, such as stews, soups, baked bread, and apple pies are all aromas that enhance your senses that fall is here. As you take a brisk walk in the nippy air you can see pumpkins, wreaths, and scarecrows decorating the houses on the blocks. To me fall is also a time to be thankful for your family and your friends. So, now that you know what autumn means to me, come along and let us explore the “Apple”as September is the "National Apple Month."

Fun Fact: There are over 2,500 varieties of apples.

“Johnny Appleseed Day” honors one of America's great legends. Johnny Appleseed was a real person. John Chapman (aka Johnny Appleseed) was among the American settlers who were captivated by the movement west across the continent. As Johnny Appleseed traveled west, he planted apple trees along the way, and sold trees to settlers. With every apple tree that was planted, the legend grew. He was born on September 26, 1774. (This happens to be on Saturday) He started out planting trees in western New York and Pennsylvania. During the life of John Chapman, the "West" was places like Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. John Chapman was a deeply religious person He was known to preach during his travels. 

According to legend, Johnny Appleseed led a simple life and wanted little. He rarely accepted money and often donated any money he received. It is believed that he died on March 11, 1845, from what was referred to as the "winter plague." The actual date of his death has been disputed. Johnny Appleseed is said to have worn a tin pot on his head to cook his meals in while on his journeys. While this claim is legend, he did frequently travel with a pot in his belongings and a satchel full of seeds.

Did you know? If you threw an apple in water, it wouldn’t sink. Apples float in water! This is because 25% of their volume consists of air.

Did you know? The deeper the colors if an apple, means that the more sugars, and more flavor they contain.

Apples are one of the few fruits you can find fresh any time of the year, especially September through November. However, to me the apple is the one fruit that I associate with fall more than any other. Apples are America’s favorite fruit. The state of Washington grows the most apples followed by New York, and then Michigan. This is a perfect time of the year to head on out to an apple orchard and pick your own apples for a pie, applesauce, or even baked apples. But to me the best way is to pick one off of the tree and try it. There is nothing like the crisp, cool, crunch you hear as you take a bite of this juicy, sweet piece of fruit. Today we have numerous varieties of apples to choose from. Some are best to eat while others are best for cooking and baking. You must have heard the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” This saying comes from an old English adage, “To eat an apple before going to bed, will make the doctor beg for his bread.”

Fun Fact: In the 1980’s, the Red Delicious accounted for three-quarters of the harvest in Washington State.

Did you know?: That Honey Crisp apples are one of the most sought after apples in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Country to popular belief, Fuji apples are named for Fujisaki town, not for Mount Fuji.

So, in honor of the beginning of fall, apple season, and Johnny Appleseed, I am sharing with you my “Apple Pie” recipe. This pie is a favorite among my family and friends. After years of making this scrumptious pie, I have perfected its fruity richness and I’m sure it will be very pleasing to your taste buds. Enjoy and make memories!

Dottie’s “Apple Pie”

Ingredients:
8-10 apples (Macintosh and 2 Granny Smith)
1 cup of granulated sugar or less
1/4 teaspoon of salt
2 1/2 tablespoons of flour
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 tablespoon of unsalted butter
1 recipe of Pillsbury Pie Crust (just unroll)
(You can make your own crust, but this is a time saver)
Secret ingredient is a dash of fresh Nutmeg 

Directions:
Pare and slice apples very, very thin. Sift dry ingredients together and mix with apples. Line pie pan (9 inch glass or aluminum pie tin) with the pastry crust. Fill with apple mixture, dot with butter before putting on top of crust. Then put top crust on the pie. Crimp edges, cut three slits in top of pie or use a pie stencil. Brush pie with milk, cream, or egg wash. Then sprinkle the pie top with some granulated sugar before baking. Bake in a very HOT oven 450 ° for the first 15 minutes. Then reduce temperature to 350 ° for the next 45 minutes or longer till golden brown. Put pie on lined cookie pan, (foil or parchment paper) so if any drippings come out from the pie, it will be easier for clean up.

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“The Apple Cocktail”

Yields: 1 drink

Ingredients:
1 whole apple, one with a flat bottom
1 lemon wedge
1 apple wedge, cut in half
1 oz unsweetened apple juice
1 ounce Limoncello
1/2 ounce Vanilla Vodka
Splash cranberry juice
1 cinnamon stick, for garnish
Short clear straw

Directions:
Core the apple to about the halfway point. Be certain not to cut through the bottom. Use the lemon wedge to squeeze a small amount of lemon juice on inside of cored apple. That is so the apple does not get brown. Then set aside. In mixing glass, muddle apple wedge and unsweetened apple juice. Add Limoncello, Vanilla Vodka, and cranberry juice. Shake well. Strain into cored apple and serve with a small straw. Garnish with a cinnamon stick. 

 (Please Drink Responsibly)

Till Next Time………..

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