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Apples around Christmas - Recipe links included.

 As you can see, I've an abundance of apples.  A friend of a friend had a bumper crop...and here we are.

We have had them for a few days but up until now have not sure what we were going to do with them.  The lovely Sue I'm sure will find away to make a Dutch Apple pie.  I'm sure she'll find something else as well to do with them.

It's what I wanted to do with them that interests me.  I like to experiment in the kitchen and generally am not able to.  Mostly because what interests doesn't interest anyone else (See our recipe page for "Farts of Portingale" and a 2000 + year old chicken dish) and that I don't really feel comfortable in the kitchen unless it's pretty straightforward. 

I had apples, a pretty much non used jar of tahini and free time between now and the new year.  It's rare when Susan and I decide to try some things in the kitchen together

It all started with toast.  Sue is normally the one that makes breakfast on the weekends, or in this case over the Christmas Holiday.  However as she was making the eggs and sausage, on a rare free morning for the both of us; the toast making was delegated to me.  I quickly cored and sliced some applies and got out the tahini.

If you have not tried apples with tahini then you are truly missing out on a surprisingly good taste combination.  Your getting the crunch and sweetness/tartness depending on the type of apple with a little bit of creamy nutty goodness from the tahini.  This is easily one of my favorite breakfasts and is easy to prepare.   

The next morning we awoke to a bit of a cold snap here in Western Pennsylvania as the temperatures dropped to minus 5 F (-20 C) , and we decided to make another simple easy breakfast this time making a simple oatmeal with Tahini and Apple's. However  we quickly discovered it is a bland dish with a CAPITAL B.  If you want to sweeten it with honey you can or if you wish to keep it vegan; use agave. 

Then the lovely Sue had the marvelous idea of making fresh homemade bread with a simple Apple Butter.  We would share this with friends and family over the Christmas holiday as a last minute additional gift.   As the cold winds ravaged the outside world, I made a quick egg nog  that we could share with friends and family as well

.

You have no idea on how good this smells!

 Up until yesterday I can honestly say that neither of us were in the Christmas spirit.  As we smiled and joked and I called out a quick "Yes Chef" when commended (asked nicely) to do something, we listened to some wonderful music we were expecting to be joined by Susan's daughter and our friend Aaron.  We were hoping they would braved the first true storm of the winter season to join us and bake some cookies.  However they decided to stay safe, and we are glad they did, but I've a feeling this will become a new tradition for the family.

The table soon overflowed with cookies of various flavors, peanut butter and chocolate chip tending to lead the pack and barely had time to cool as they were gobbled up. Our house was quickly filled with love and laughter and the smells of nutmeg, anise and cinnamon.  I can't help but think how all of this spices would have been fit for a king centuries ago.  

Not everything was successful as a batch of cookies just refused to cooperate!

Cookie failure!

About the only thing that we were unable to make was Wassial.  That's okay too, we can save that for another night...and another story.

Sometimes...we are just overwhelmed by the beauty that is this life.  From my family to yours, Happy Holidays and my your New year be Bright.



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Location: Stoneboro, PA 16153, USA

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