There was a lot of excitement this past weekend at the Orange Home Grown Farmers and Artisans Market. The Mendez March and the petting zoo created a fun-filled atmosphere for all ages. Fall was definitely streaming through the air on this cool, crisp Saturday morning. The fall season veggies and the warm autumn colors throughout the market sparked some serious cooking inspiration. Upon entering, to the first right stands Ha’s Apple Farm. This regular vendor carries a wide array of the best tasting apples. Whether it be Macintosh or Fiji the knowledgeable sellers will help you select your new favorite variety.
We often focus on hearty vegetables in the kitchen during this time of year. Don’t get me wrong, we love our comforting soups and stews! However, there are many sweet fall recipes we just can’t forget about. As we say goodbye to a laid back summer menu and start to embrace the busier fall season simple recipes will be your best friend. Eager to create a couple of fall inspired dishes, apples was definitely the center of my inspiration. I put together two simple dishes featuring the delicious, organic apples from Ha’s Apple Farm.
Who doesn’t love a hearty autumn salad? This would make a fabulous dinner side, or a filling lunch. This easy peasy recipe has five simple ingredients and literally takes minutes to put together. All you need is:
- Greens of your choice: (I used spinach purchased from the farmers market)
- Two sliced apples of your choice (I choose Pink Ladys because of their sweet flavor
- ⅓ cups of walnuts
- ⅓ cups of dried cranberries
- ⅓ cups of goat cheese
There you have it! Combine them into a bowl and voila! I even coated the apples in cinnamon for a tasty added flavor. The sweetness of the dried cranberries and the apples created the perfect pairing. I couldn’t resist throwing in a few blackberries to top it off. Drizzle with your favorite dressing and enjoy. If you keep the salad refrigerated and dry you’ll even have a lunch ready to go for the next day or two.
We can’t forget about dessert. This recipe will leave your home with the aroma of a delicious bakery. If you’ve never made homemade apple crisp you’re in for a tasty treat! It’s not just simple, it’s simply delicious. I used a beautiful bag of Empire Apples I found at Ha’s Apple Farm. Here’s what you need:
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- dash of salt
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, diced into small chunks
For Filling:
- 3-4 large Granny Smith apples
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Step one: In a bowl combine apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Toss until all of the slices are evenly coated. Place in a medium baking dish.
Step Two: Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and butter. Stir until well blended and place mixture on top of the layer of apples.
Step Three: Place in the oven and let it bake for 30 minutes.
Let this best autumn scent flow throughout your house. Cool and serve with a scoop of your favorite ice cream and enjoy!
You can still treat yourself during this busy time of year. Try to find your inspiration ingredient during your next trip at the Orange Home Grown Farmers and Artisans Market. You will be surprised how effortlessly you can incorporate one seasonal ingredient into a variety of different dishes!
