An Apple A Day - Brie, Apple & Arugula Quesadillas

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Photo: Gentyl & Hyers; Styling: Kendra Smoot

I'm still finding ways to use up the bussel of apples collected from our heirloom trees.  Here's what's for dinner tonight served with artisan hard cider from Finn River Cidery.

Brie, Apple, and Arugula Quesadillas
(Source: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/brie-apple-arugula-quesadillas-10000002012792/)
Kathy Farrell-Kingsley, Cooking Light OCTOBER 2010

1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard

2 teaspoons apple cider

3 (10-inch) flour tortillas

6 ounces Brie cheese, rind removed and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices, divided

1 Fuji apple, cored and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices (about 1/2 pound), divided

3 cups arugula, divided

3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided

1. Combine mustard and cider in a small bowl; stir well.
2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spread each tortilla with about 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard mixture. Place 1 tortilla, mustard side up, in pan. Arrange one-third of cheese slices over half of tortilla; cook 1 minute or until cheese begins to melt. Arrange one-third of apple slices over cheese; top with 1 cup arugula. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Fold tortilla in half; press gently with a spatula. Cook 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove from pan. Repeat procedure twice with remaining 2 tortillas, cheese, apple slices, 2 cups arugula, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cut each quesadilla into 4 wedges.

An Apple A Day - Baked Apples

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Photo: Dan Goldberg

A healthy dessert to finish a Pacific Northwest cedar-planked salmon.

Baked Apples with Crisp Topping
(Source: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/apple-crisp-baked-apples-10000001227803)

1/3 cup walnuts, chopped medium fine
1/3 cup pecans, chopped medium fine
1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 cup rolled oats
4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small cubes
6 medium Pink Lady or Jazz apples, or other firm baking variety
1 1/2 cups apple cider

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350º. In a small bowl combine walnuts, pecans, sugar, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, and oats. Add butter cubes and toss to combine.
2. Peel the top third of each apple and, using a melon baller, scoop out the stem and enough of the core so that the walls of the apple are about 1/2 in. thick. Take care, however, not to break through the bottom of the apple, or the filling will leak out when baking. Make the hole a bit wider at the top.
3. Using a small spoon or your fingers, generously stuff each apple; mound extra filling on top.
4. Put the filled apples in a 2-qt. baking dish. Pour cider into the pan around the apples, cover the dish with foil, and bake 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake, basting every 15 minutes, for an additional 30 to 45 minutes, until apples are easily pierced with a sharp knife (they may split open a bit at the bottom). Serve apples drizzled with the sauce from the pan and with a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside.

Other 'An Apple A Day' Recipes: Apple Coleslaw and Pulled Pork Tortas

Have you discovered Myrecipes.com yet?  If not, check out my previous post here.

Have you had your apple today?

An Apple A Day - Fresh Apple Cupcakes with Almond Streusel

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A delicious afternoon delight - just add a cup of tea!

Amaretto Apple Streusel Cupcakes
(Source: Cooking Light Magazine October 2009)
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/amaretto-apple-streusel-cupcakes-10000001924729/)

Cooking spray

6 3/4 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 1/2 cups) 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup (2 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 tablespoons amaretto (almond-flavored liqueur)  (or 1/4 teaspoon almond extract)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg

1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream (or yogurt)

1/4 cup 2% reduced-fat milk

3/4 cup finely chopped Gala apple

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Streusel:

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons butter, chilled

2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

4 teaspoons 2% reduced-fat milk

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Place muffin cup liners in 12 muffin cups; coat with cooking spray.

3. Weigh or lightly spoon 6.75 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups) flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 6.75 ounces flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Combine granulated sugar, cream cheese, and 1/4 cup butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until well blended. Add amaretto, vanilla, and egg to sugar mixture; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Combine sour cream and 1/4 cup milk in a small bowl; stir with a whisk until well blended. Combine apple and 1 tablespoon flour in a small bowl; toss well.

4. Add flour mixture and sour cream mixture alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with

flour mixture. Beat just until blended. Fold in apple mixture. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.

5. To prepare the streusel, combine 2 tablespoons flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in 2 tablespoons butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal; stir in almonds. Sprinkle streusel evenly over cupcakes. Bake at 350° for 27 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 15 minutes on a wire rack, and remove the cupcakes from pan.

6. To prepare glaze, combine powdered sugar and 4 teaspoons milk in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle glaze over cupcakes.