Friday, September 15, 2017

And More Apples

Yes, they keep coming. I suppose I could have planted just one perfect tree and admired it, but no, I had to try out multiple varieties, forgetting that they would all bear fruit at the same time, more or less. The squirrels are having a great time, and a few fallen apples have toothmarks on them that I don't recognize . . .

But as I said last week, since New England has always had a plentiful supply of apples, there is an equally plentiful supply of recipes. I even found one I hadn't seen before! This one's savory rather than sweet. Well, it's sort of sweet, since there's a dash of honey in it, but it pairs nicely with pork.

On the tree
Confession: I've forgotten the variety of the apples I used. I can name all the others in my small orchard, but not this one. But it's pretty, holds up well in cooking, and is remarkably resistant to both insects and squirrels. Oh, and it tastes good too.


Pork Chops with Apple Relish

Ingredients:



Relish: 

2 Tblsp butter

3 apples, peeled, cored and diced
1/2 small onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1/3 cup dried cranberries
1 Tblsp honey

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the apples, onion and vinegar and saute until lightly browned (about 4 minutes).



Add the cranberries and the honey and bring to a boil.



Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the apples are tender, stirring occasionally.

Keep warm while you prepare the pork chops.


Pork Chops:

4 boneless or bone-in pork chops
Seasoning of your choice
(I recommend a little salt, because there is none in the relish.)

Season your pork chops to taste (if you want to add some kick, use a bit of chipotle powder.


Add a bit of oil to a skillet and heat. Sear the pork chops on both sides, then reduce the heat to let them cook through. Serve topped with the relish.




Coming November 7th!

A Late Frost (Orchard Mystery #11)

In the dead of winter…
  
The usually quiet town of Granford, Massachusetts is even drowsier during the colder months. But this year it’s in for a jolt when Monica Whitman moves into town. She's a dynamo who wants to make friends fast in her new home, and she throws herself into community activities. Meg Corey, now Chapin after her marriage to Seth Chapin, is intrigued by the new arrival, who has already sold the town board on a new, fun way to bring in visitors during the offseason: WinterFare, which will feature local foods (such as Meg’s apples) and crafts as well as entertainment.

Tragically, Monica falls ill and dies the evening after the event, in what looks like a case of food poisoning.  But after all the food served at the event has been tested, including Meg's apples, it becomes clear that there's a more sinister explanation to the older woman's sudden demise.


Available for pre-order from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

www.sheilaconnolly.com


3 comments:

  1. Can't wait for the release! Love this series.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lucky you with all those wonderfully fresh apples!
    This sounds like a good way to use some.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been lucky enough to have visiting guests this weekend, and they're happy to eat apples straight from the tree. Plus my go-to apple cake recipe.

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