Apples

Instant Pot Hot Apple Cider

Instant Pot Hot Apple Cider

It’s officially winter in Jordan. Actually, I guess winter came along while I was home for Thanksgiving — my most favorite holiday ever. We’ve had a pretty long summer, and the warm days continued on until late November. When I got back, though, it was cold. I wouldn’t say Syracuse on a snow day cold. Or DC in December cold, but definitely significantly colder.

The problem isn’t so much that it’s cold outside… it’s that it’s cold inside. (more…)

Homemade Apple Pie

Apple Pie_2

Nothing screams early fall like apple pie, and apple picking of course! Nany and I have started a yearly apple-picking tradition where we pick a random weekend in September and head out to the apple orchard. Once we’ve collected more than enough apples, we drag them back to her house to create a mouth-watering dessert –with the help of her mom of course– for everyone to eat after lunch. This year, we took a special guest with us, we’ll call her Zee, and we had a fabulous time. Of the three of us, she was the one who wasn’t afraid to climb into, yes into, the trees to pick out the very best apples. (more…)

Apple Turnovers

Apple-Turnovers

It all started with a random idea to go take advantage of September and go apple picking. It then turned into an adventure that ended up with me taking a back seat to learning how to make amazing apple turnovers.

We’re about mid way through September, with only a couple more weeks before we get into pumpkin season (not that you don’t see Halloween decorations and pumpkins practically everywhere you go already). That being said, apples are still in season and what better way to enjoy a gorgeous Sunday afternoon than to go apple picking in Maryland with a friend who completely understands the importance of taking at least 20 pictures of the same thing, and gets really excited about plucking apples off a tree. (more…)

Mom’s Fruit Salad

Fruit Salad

 

My mom makes an amazing fruit salad, and that’s because of her secret ingredients (namely the sauce). I’ve only made her fruit salad on two occasions. It’s not complicated but it packs in a lot more calories than you’d suspect. So don’t be fooled by the word “fruit.” Although I’ve measured out the amount of condensed milk and orange juice, you may have to adjust to your taste. I will warn you, however that you don’t need to add more than 1/2 tsp of orange blossom water. Too much will be flavor overload on your senses. (more…)

Caramel Apples

 

The best part about living in the DC area is that we get to experience all four seasons. Arguments can be made that not all four seasons are enjoyable. But we get all four nonetheless. Every season, as you know has its food staples, as I like to call them. In the fall it’s everything pumpkin and apple. The summer, I become obsessed with watermelons, ice cream and red white and blue. Springtime is about pastels, brunch, cookies and cakes. Winter is all about stews, soups, candy canes and hot chocolate. Additions can be made to said seasonal staples. It’s all about apples and pumpkins now and one of my number one cravings during closer to Halloween is Caramel Apples. (more…)