ApplesAn apple a day keeps the Dr away, an apple for the teacher, apple of your eye – how many other fruits or vegetables crop up in everyday phrases as often as the apple? There are over 7,500 different varieties of apple but only a small number are grown in commercial quantities. My favourite is a Greensleeves, a relatively modern variety but Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall swears by Ashmead Kernel which dates back to the 1700’s. If you don’t have your own trees I would encourage you to visit a farm shop or farmers market and buy a selection of varieties you don’t recognise and do a little taste test.
Apples are packed full of Vitamin C and if you eat the skins you’ll get a good measure of fibre and quercetin an antioxidant which has been linked to reducing heart disease. And despite what I learnt in the playground you can eat the core without worrying about an apple tree growing inside you!
This months recipe is rather seasonal - a delicious mincemeat, instead of using suet I have used butter which makes it suitable for vegetarians. I guarantee this quick recipe will knock the socks off any shop bought mincemeat! You can ring the changes by changing the booze you use and varying the fruits you add, just make sure the total weight remains unchanged.
Apple
Mincemeat
- 225g Currants
- 450g Sultanas
- 225g Raisins
- 50g Chopped glace cherries
- 100g Mixed peel
- 225g Butter, melted
- 2tsp Ground mixed spice
- Grated zest and juice of a lemon
- 450g Grated apple
- 225g Light brown sugar
- 50ml Brandy
Mix everything together in a large mixing bowl.
Leave to steep overnight or for an hour or two.
Decant into sterilised jam jars and, if possible, leave to ‘mature’ for a week or two before using.
Tip
Ring the changes with your apple crumble by replacing half the flour with oats or unsweetened muesli.
Quick ways with Apples
You cannot get quicker than a stuffed apple for a pud. Core, score around the equator and then stuff with your choice of mixed dried fruit and brown sugar, a knob of butter on top and into the oven for 30-40 minutes depending on size.
A spoonful of stewed apple is delicious on your morning muesli with a dollop of yogurt.