Apples, Apples, Apples!

Apples are plentiful in Minnesota this time of year. Aside from simply eating them raw, what can be done with this delightful and versatile fruit?

Options abound, from sweet to savory, warm to chilled, and everything in between! For starters, there's the quintessentially American favorite, Apple Pie. With nearly as many variations for crust and filling as there are people in our great nation, you should be able to find a recipe that suits your skill-level and tastes perfectly. My personal favorite is a very traditional pie recipe, Bon Appetit's Classic Double Crust Apple Pie. The filling is made with vanilla, sugar, and cinnamon for a perfectly sweet, melt-in-your-mouth finish, and the crust is flake-y perfection.

Beyond pie, there are tarts, crisps, streusels, breads, pancakes, and more if you're looking for some sweet apple carb-y goodness! However, if you're looking for a savory use for apples, chicken can be a perfect partner. Chicken and apple dishes are surprisingly delicious. From a Chicken Apple Skillet meal to an Apple and Cheddar stuffed chicken breast, there are many, many ways to incorporate apples into your favorite chicken dishes.

Pork also pairs nicely with apples. An herbed pork loin accompanied by homemade cinnamon apples is a wonderfully warming dish for those cold nights!

So get thee to your nearest apple orchard. Not only will it be a fun couple hours with the fam, but you can put those apples to good use when you get home!

And don't forget to let us know about your favorite apple recipes!