Recipes — autumn

5 Sustainable Fall Recipes with Freeze-Dried Foods to Reduce Food Waste 0

Autumn offers a rich array of produce like apples, pumpkins, and broccoli. While farmer's markets are a go-to for fresh items, freeze-dried foods present a sustainable alternative. With a longer shelf life, they cut down on food waste and are eco-friendly. Enjoy the season's flavors without harming the planet through sustainable fall recipes featuring freeze-dried foods.

7 Pumpkin Recipes to Ring in the Fall Season 0

Fall is here, and nothing says autumn like pumpkins! From hearty soups to creative spins on classic dishes like grilled cheese and pizza, these seven delicious pumpkin recipes will warm you up from the inside out. Whether you're craving a Pumpkin Spice Latte, a savory Pumpkin Carbonara, or Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Filling, this list has something to satisfy every pumpkin lover. So, grab your favorite gourd and get cooking with these cozy, comforting dishes that will make you embrace the fall season!

4 Must-Try Fall Recipes 0

The autumn equinox is coming up. Eating healthy doesn't have to be boring, especially during fall. These fall recipes are the perfect way to celebrate autumn. When you want recipes that scream fall, you can make pureed soups, casseroles, or dinners. They are tastier than store-bought food. These four fall recipes will help you get through fall without wrecking your health goals.

10 Apple Recipes That'll Make Your Kitchen Smell Like Fall 0

Coping with the end of summer isn't easy. There's always one more BBQ dish, raspberry treat, or refreshing drink that you want to try. But, if there's a reason to get excited about the first frost is all the amazing autumn produce that Mother Earth Products has to offer. And the best of them all? Apples! The juicy fruit is chockful of nutrients and can be part of several dishes, from bread to stews. So, if you want to ring in the autumn solstice differently this year, these ten apple recipes will let fall into your kitchen.

Savory

1. Bratwurst with Sauerkraut & Apples

With an ample amount of bratwurst, sauerkraut, and a little bit of apple, this recipe pays homage to the German Oktoberfest. However, it skips the cheese and lard the OG version calls for. So, your stomach can rest easy.

Ingredients:

• 7 bratwurst sausages, uncooked
• 1 cups dried onions
• 3 cups sauerkraut, drained
• 1 ½ cup freeze dried apples
• 2 cups vegetable broth or beer
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp caraway seeds
• 1 tsp dry ground mustard
• 1 tsp dried garlic (granulated)

Directions:

1. Add the onion and apples to a bowl along with 4 cups of warm water. Soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze away excess water and set aside.
2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over low heat and add the bratwurst links. Cook for a couple of minutes on each side until brown. Set aside.
3. Add the onion and apples to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the spices (salt, caraway seeds, mustard, and garlic) and cook for another minute or two.
4. Add the sauerkraut, broth (or beer), sugar, and bratwurst. Make sure the mixture covers the links. Bring to a boil, cover with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated.
5. Serve with boiled potatoes, rolls, and spicy mustard for a complete meal.

2. Gruyere Apple Tarts

There's beauty in simplicity, and this apple recipe is no exception. Sautéed apples and onion are piled onto a bed of melted Gruyere cheese and complemented by various spices, making each bite even more enticing.

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
• 1 cup Gruyere cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup freeze dried apples
• 1/3 cup dried onions
• 3 tbsp butter
• ¼ tsp ground coriander
• ¼ tsp ground cardamom

Directions:

1. Pour 2 cups of water to a bowl and soak the apples and onions for 15 minutes. Remove from water and set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 400^oF and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion and the apples for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the spices and cook for another minute or so. Set aside.
4. Roll out the puff pastry and cut it 4 rectangles, 6 ½- by 5- inch each. Make sure you leave about half-an-inch space around each tart. Transfer them to the pan.
5. Divide the apple-onion mixture between the 4 tarts and top with the Gruyere cheese and remaining butter. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

3. Apple & Beet (root) Slaw

Picnic season may have come to an end, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy all the tasty treats it has to offer. This apple-beet slaw is the perfect way to "dress" your sandwiches or complement your dinners.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups beets, cooked and grated
• 2/3 cup freeze dried apples
• 1 cup red or white cabbage, grated
• ½ red onion, diced
• 1 ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ tsp cumin
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• 1 tbsp mustard
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Soak the apples in a bowl with warm water for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, remove from water and set aside.
2. Add all the ingredients to a bowl and toss well until everything is combined.
3. Serve with main dishes (steak, burgers, hot dogs) or as part of a sandwich.

4. Parsnip & Apple Soup

If there's a surefire way to get rid of your summer-is-over blues, it's this hearty soup. Combining apple's sweetness with parsnip's nutty flavor, this dish is perfect for when you want to add flavor to your chilly nights.

Ingredients:

• 3 parsnips, peeled and finely chopped
• ½ cup freeze dried apples
• 1 large potato, peeled and chopped
• 1/3 cup dried onions
• ½ cup coconut milk
• 5 cups vegetable broth
• 3tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp curry powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Add the onion to a bowl along with one cup of warm water and soak for 15 minutes. Squeeze away excess liquid and set aside.
2. Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Once hot, lower the heat to low, add the onion, and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Then, stir in the potato, garlic, parsnip, and apples and sauté for another 5 minutes or until they wilt.
3. Pour the broth, cover with the lid, and let the soup simmer until the ingredients are fork-tender. It'll take 25-30 minutes.
4. Then, stir in the coconut milk and spices and boil for another 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
5. Once cooled, use an immersion blender to puree the ingredients to your desired consistency—season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve with croutons on top and a slice of warm bread.

5. Cheesy Apple Muffins

Many would argue that cheese and apples don't belong in the same breath. But, this apple recipe begs to differ. Marrying apples with cheddar cheese and thyme, these muffins are a far cry from your regular go-tos and give an end to the usual "What should I have for breakfast?" problem.

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
• ¼ cup freeze dried apples
• ¾ cup Cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• ½ tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp dried thyme

Directions:

1. In a bowl, add one cup of warm water and soak the apples for 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, line a muffin tin with liners and preheat the oven to 370^oF.
3. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to a bowl and whisk well. Stir in the apples, thyme, and shredded cheese.
4. In a separate bowl, add the milk and egg and beat well until combined.
5. Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix well.
6. Spoon the batter into each cup, filling ¾ of the way.
7. Bake for 20 minutes or until the muffins are golden brown.
8. Enjoy as breakfast or serve instead of bread rolls for lunch and dinner.

Sweet

6. Apple Chocolate Bark

Apple and chocolate is a seriously under-utilized combo, but this recipe sets the record straight. Chockful of nuts and seeds, it's also rich in fiber and omegas, so you'll secretly know your little one is munching on something healthy for once.

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups dark chocolate chips
• ½ cup roasted almonds, roughly chopped
• ½ cup freeze dried apples
• ¼ cup roasted sunflower seeds
• 2 tbsp maple syrup (optional)

Directions:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Fill a pot halfway with water and boil the water over low heat. Set a heatproof bowl on top and add the chocolate in it. Stir occasionally as the chocolate starts to melt. Remove the bowl from heat once two-thirds of the chocolate have melted. Let it cool for a while.
3. Stir in the almonds, sunflower seeds, apples, and maple syrup (optional) and spread the mixture onto the baking sheet. Refrigerate the bark for half an hour and break into pieces before serving.

7. Baked Apple Donuts

Whether served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, donuts are a hit with kids. This version, however, is a tad healthier than the store bought kind, since it skips frying. You can now let them go for seconds.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• ¼ cup freeze dried apples
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 egg
• ½ cup applesauce
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• ¼ cup kefir

Directions:

1. Add the apples to a bowl with warm water and soak for 15 minutes. Remove and set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 375^oF and grease a donut pan with cooking spray.
3. Add all the dry ingredients to a bowl and mix. Combine all the wet ingredients into a separate bowl. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet one cup at a time. Remember to stir gently.
4. Transfer the batter to a Ziplock bag and snip one end off. Pour the batter in each donut cavity, filling three-quarters of the way.
5. Bake for 15 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven, let cool, and sprinkle with coarse sugar and cinnamon.

8. Apple Cake

Fall is synonymous with baking, and this apple recipe makes perfect use of the season's #1 fruit. Plus, it's pretty easy to make, so you'll get to enjoy all the flavors without slaving away in the kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
• 2/3 cup freeze dried apples
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup buttermilk or kefir
• ½ cup olive oil

Directions:

1. Soak the apples in a bowl full of warm water for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, remove, and set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 350^oF and grease a round baking tin with butter or cooking spray.
3. In a bowl, add all the dry ingredients and mix. In a separate bowl, add all the wet ingredients and mix once again. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix gently until combined.
4. Transfer the batter to the baking tin and bake for 30 minutes.
5. Drizzle with coarse sugar or glaze and serve with coffee or tea.

9. Apple Ricotta Waffles

We all know how important it is to start your day with some fiber and protein – and this recipe makes sure you do just that. Packed with apple and ricotta, these waffles are wholesome as they are tasty.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• ½ cup buttermilk or kefir
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/3 cup freeze dried apples
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. Pour one cup of warm water to a bowl and add the apples. Soak them for 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, preheat the waffle iron.
3. Combine all the wet ingredients to a bowl and then stir in the wet ingredients one at a time. Lastly, fold in the apples.
4. Spray the waffle iron with cooking spray and pour a cupful of the batter. Cook until both sides turn golden brown. Continue to cook in batches until there's no batter left.

10. Spiced Apple Fritters

Super quick, easy, and delicious, this apple recipe is just what you need when your mini-me is craving for something sweet, and you'd rather stay away from chocolate. For more than just a snack, serve them with a honey yogurt sauce and a cup of warm apple cider.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup freeze dried apples
• ½ cup apple cider
• 1 egg
• ¾ tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. Add the apples to a bowl along with 2 cups of warm water and soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze away excess liquid and set aside.
2. Fill one-third of a pot with canola oil and heat over medium heat.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in the egg, cider, and apples. The batter will be slightly runny and sticky.
4. Drop spoonfuls of the batter to the hot oil and fry until golden brown (2-3 minutes on each side).
5. Remove from the oil and place on a plate lined with a paper towel.

Do you have any go-to apple recipes? We'd love to hear all about them in the comments down below!

References:

1. https://www.theendlessmeal.com/bratwurst-and-sauerkraut-apples-onion/
2. http://www.womansday.com/food-recipes/food-drinks/recipes/a37374/savory-gruyere-apple-tarts-recipe-clv0911/
3. https://runningonrealfood.com/raw-beet-apple-slaw/
4. https://recipesfromapantry.com/coconut-parsnip-and-apple-soup/?fref=gc&dti=814499965327016
5. https://veggiedesserts.com/apple-cheese-muffins-thyme/
6. https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/dark-chocolate-bark-roasted-almonds-and-seeds
7. https://thecakeblog.com/2012/10/recipe-fresh-apple-donuts.html
8. https://www.sweetestmenu.com/cinnamon-apple-cake/
9. http://www.fridaycakenight.com/2015/10/apple-cinnamon-ricotta-waffles
10. https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/a23390937/pie-spiced-apple-fritters-recipe/