An Apple A Day

 An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away.

So many of you emailed for the recipe for the “apple sandwich” that I decided to rerun this post for you.

This favorite proverb may have originated in Wales, where in 1886 a newspaper article mentioned a Pembrokeshire proverb: “Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.”

Even though we are having a mini heat wave here, I am dreaming of Fall.  Next week, I think even our temperatures will be even hotter, not quite those crisp, cool days of autumn yet!  I love apples, and love to buy bunches of them at our farm stand, not only to eat, they look so wonderful piled in bowls, too. 

Apples are not only delicious, they contain so many nutritional benefits.

• Apples contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, but mostly the soluble kind – good news for keeping cholesterol levels healthy, keeping you “regular” and filling you up faster.
• They’ve got those awesome antioxidants – perfect for your immune system and your heart.
• Like many other fruits, they’re low in calories, fat free, sodium free and cholesterol free.
• They deliver quercetin, a potent antioxidant, that belongs to a class of water-soluble plant pigments called flavonoids.
• They are packed with pectin, a soluble fiber that helps keep cholesterol levels healthy as well as promoting the growth of  beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract.
• When you eat a whole medium-sized apple, you are getting about 80 calories and 4 grams of fiber.

A great Apple snack to make with your children after school, easy, fun and delicious!

Apple Sandwiches with Granola and Nut Butter

Serves 2

Your kids will love to help you make this healthy snack since it’s fun to spread the nut butter and sprinkle the chocolate chips. No corer in the kitchen drawer? Slice the apples into rounds first then use a small cookie cutter to remove the core from the center of each slice.

Ingredients

2 small apples, cored and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick rounds
1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
3 tablespoons peanut or any other nut butter
2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips {optional}
3 tablespoons granola

To Make:

1.If you won’t be eating these right away, start by brushing the apples slices with lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.

2.Spread one side of half of the apple slices with peanut or nut butter then sprinkle with granola {& choc. chips if used.}

3.Top with remaining apple slices, pressing down gently to make the sandwiches. Transfer to napkins or plates and serve.

Nutrition
Per serving (about 7oz/192g-wt.): 300 calories (150 from fat), 16g total fat, 4.5g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 115mg sodium, 36g total carbohydrate (6g dietary fiber, 25g sugar), 8g protein

Oven Dried Apples

Serves 6

Dried apples are great for snacks and lunchboxes. You can also toss them into a spinach salad with nuts and grapes, serve with roasted pork or alongside a sandwich as you would chips.

Ingredients
2 apples {Fuji, Gala or Honeycrisp}
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon {optional}

To Make:
Preheat oven to 225°F.

1.Slice apples as thinly as possible, about 1/8-inch or thinner (use a mandolin if you have one).

2.Arrange slices in a single layer on 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper, and sprinkle with cinnamon if using.

3. Bake 1 1/2 hours; flip slices and continue baking 1 1/2 hours longer or until completely dry and crisp {they will not crisp more upon cooling}. Timing will vary depending on the moisture content of the apples and the thickness of the slices.

4.Let cool. Store in an airtight container up to 1 week

What are some of your favorite apple recipes? I’d love to add some more to my recipe box!

If you want to romance your Home and Garden with antique and vintage treasures to make you smile each time you come home, visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.

Apple recipes courtesy of Whole Foods