No Bake Apple Butter Pie

Hope all of you had a happy and thankful Thanksgiving.
For this Thanksgiving along with with pumpkin pie and the pecan pie, I thought of making a lighter no-bake pie.
Here is the result of my experiment. We loved this and  I am planning to make this next year too or the next time I have craving for a pie. This is an entirely home made version because I think home-made is always better as you can make it to your liking. But if you are pressed for time, you can easily put this together using store bought crust and apple butter of your choice. Apple being a fruit available year-round, this is something you can make any time of the year.
 So enjoy!

For the Pie crust:
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 9 whole graham crackers)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, optional
Pinch of salt
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Method:

If you’re using whole graham crackers, finely crush them in a food processor or place them in a ziploc bag and roll with a rolling pin.
Stir graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl. Add melted butter and stir with a fork.
Press mixture  into each ramekin or serving dish  to form a even layer along the bottom. Set the prepared crusts aside while you prepare the filling. I prefer chilling the  pie crust for at least one hour before filling. Cover if chilling longer.

For the Apple Butter:
Ingredients
2 lbs of good cooking apples (we use Granny Smith or Gravenstein)
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (or substitute with water)
1/2 cups water
Sugar (about 2 cups, see cooking instructions)
Salt
1 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon allspice
Grated rind and juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup Butter
Method:
Pressure cook cored and peeled apples along with apple cider vinegar and water for 5 minutes. Puree the apples and add rest of the ingredients into a wide thick-bottomed pot(the wider the pan the better, as there is more surface for evaporation) and cook on medium low heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Scrape the bottom of the pot while you stir to make sure a crust is not forming at the bottom. Cook until thick and smooth.

Final assembly:
Spoon in the apple butter to the chilled crust and smooth out the top. Serve along with a dollop of whipped cream with a sprinkle of left over cookie crumb. Or if you are not a fan of whipped cream you can leave that out and serve with just the  left over cookie crumbs.

Apple Pie Chimichangas

When it comes to food and nutrition, I am very paranoid - especially if it concerns Aishwarya's diet. I become so restless if she doesn't get her daily dose of fruits and veggies. Some of this seems to have rubbed off Jay also. These days even when I tend to go a little bit easy on things once a while, he would be the one to become so concerned.
During the weekends and holidays since we spend more time at home we tend to snack more and end up not having the normal helping of fruits. One way to overcome this problem is to have the fruit itself made up as a snack or a light meal or dessert. This way I don't have to worry about the daily intake of fruits any more.
And this recipe for Chimichangas is an excellent one that serves this purpose. Chimichangas are fried burritos - you can have it with sweet or savory filling. Here I have used the apple pie filling for making Chimichangas

Recipe Source: Jcocina.com
Ingredients

For the Apple Pie Filling
4 baking apples, chopped ( used a mix of granny smith and gala apples)
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tbs. lemon juice
1tbs butter

For the Chimichangas
8-10 small tortillas
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbs. cinnamon
Oil for frying

Method:
For the Apple Pie Filling
Combine the water, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook for approximately 3 minutes, or until the mixture becomes very thick.
Add the chopped apples and reduce to a simmer along with butter. Allow the apple mixture to simmer until the apples become just tender (approximately 10 minutes). Allow the mixture to cool.

For the Chimichangas
Mix cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl and set aside.
Spoon apple pie filling across the bottom 1/3 of the tortilla.Roll in both sides of the tortilla before rolling up the bottom of the tortilla over the filling, and then continue to roll the tortilla up like a burrito.

Meanwhile, heat a small skillet with 1/2 an inch of oil or 1 tablespoon. Once oil is hot, fry the chimichangas on all sides until the tortilla turns golden brown. (approximately 30 seconds on each side) or you can spray the chimichangas with oil and bake it at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.
Remove the chimichangas to a paper towel-lined plate and allow to drain briefly. Immediately roll the warm chimichanga in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat and serve.
You can serve the chimichangas drizzled with caramel sauce if you desire.

Caramelized Apple

Even if you are a big fruit lover I know there would be days, especially cold ones , when you are in no mood to have fruits. Last few days were such days - all wet and cold with frequent showers. So I thought of making this warm and comforting caramel apples which no one would have a problem having despite the weather. I was right and ended up making it twice in the last 3 days
Ingredients:
1/2 tablespoon butter
1 tart apple (peeled, cored, sliced)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup apple juice/cider
a pinch of salt
Method:
Melt the butter in a pan. Add the apples, sprinkle on the sugar, cinnamon and salt.Add apple juice or liquid of your choice and let it come to a boil. Stir until it reduces to a syrupy consistency.  Once syrupy, remove from heat. Have this with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Apple 'N Carrot Turnover-A Tribute to Steve

The news of the sad demise of Steve Jobs was a rather upsetting one, though expected. We all knew that he was not keeping well,  but we were hoping for him to comeback bouncing to active life the way he had done always - whether in career or life.
For me living in Cupertino, Apple is a part of the everyday life. I have to pass the Apple headquarters almost every day. I see Apple employees tutoring kids in my daughter's school, and of course, so many of my neighbors work for Apple. And one of the first things that my friends from India ask me when they realize that I live in Cupertino just a block away from the Apple Headquarters is that whether I had ever seen Steve Jobs. I used to joke that Steve used to have lunch at our place every other day! But the sad part is that though I had lived for over 5 years now so close to Apple, I had never once got a chance to see this icon of Silicon Valley entrepreneurship even once!
I dedicate this apple turnover to the memory of one of the ever resilient and iconic figures  of the new generation.
Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup minced onion
2 cups (1/4-inch) diced peeled carrots
1 cup (1/4-inch) diced peeled gala apple
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly pepper flakes
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated cheddar cheese
1 teaspoons dried basil
1 recipe of pie crust (use only 1/4 cup sugar)
1 tablespoon milk
Cooking spray
Method:
Preheat oven to 375°.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and chilli flakes sauté for 3 minutes. Add carrots; sauté for another 3 minutes. Add apple; cook 2 more minutes or until carrot and apple are tender. Stir in salt. Remove from heat, and cool to room temperature. Gently stir in cheese and basil. Separate pie dough into 8 pieces. Roll each portion into a 5-inch circle on a lightly floured surface.(Combine 1tbs mustard sauce and 2 teaspoons water in a small bowl. Apply a thin layer of this on the rolled out dough - this is an optional step, only if you love the flavor of mustard sauce). Spoon about 2 tablespoons apple mixture onto half of each circle, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Fold dough over filling; press edges together with a fork to seal. I have used a mold.  Brush milk over dough. Place turnovers 1 inch apart on a baking sheet lightly coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 19 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Old Fashioned Baked Apples in Microwave

An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Though it is healthy eating apples every day, during those chilly winter days you may not feel like biting into any of the cold fruits. This is one recipe that lets you have the goodness of apples in a wholesome and appetizing meal even on those cold winter days.

If you are in a hurry and yet want the great taste of oven baked apples, along with that wonderful aroma, all in a fraction of the time you should try this recipe.
Recipe source:ILoveInns
Ingredients:
1 medium apple per person
1 tbs brown sugar per apple
1/2 tbs butter per apple
Cinnamon powder to taste
Method:
Using a melon baller, scoop out stem, core and seeds of apples leaving bottom intact. Using sharp knife, slice a thin waist around each apple. Arrange apples in microwaving pan. Fill each apple with 1 tbs brown sugar, top with 1/2 tbs butter and sprinkle with cinnamon. Cover apples with kitchen towel . Microwave on high until tender. Let stand covered for 3 minutes before serving. Serve with some home made granola to make this a complete meal.
Microwave timing for different quantities of apples

 6 apples for 10 – 14 minutes

 4 apples for 6 – 10 minutes

 2 apples for 3 – 5 minutes
 1 apple for 2 – 3 minutes
Sending this over to ABC Series A for Apple at Ramya's Recipe

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Apple Cookies

If you're a person who loves oat meal cookies this is a must try.With all these wonderful ingredients used how can this not taste delicious.This makes a wonderful breakfast on the go or a yummy snack.
Source:Motts
Ingredients
1 cup Apple Sauce
1 cup sugar
½ cup chunky peanut butter
1 large egg
1 cup flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup shredded coconut, lightly toasted
½ cup raisins
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp baking soda
Method:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Combine sugar, apple sauce, peanut butter and egg in large bowl. Mix until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spoon dough by rounded tablespoons onto lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Allow to cool slightly before removing cookies to cool completely.

Upside-Down Double Apple Muffins

I am not a morning person. I don't like to miss my beauty sleep to get up and make breakfast for my family. So make ahead breakfasts are the norm in our house. Of these, apple muffins and banana muffins are the favorites. This recipe uses apple sauce as well as apple - hence the name. This is a healthy breakfast that gives you your proteins, fruits and carbohydrates all in one go. And of course, you can make this ahead of time.
Recipe Source:Mott's 
Serves 12
Ingredients:
2 medium apples
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 Tbs water + 1tbs lemon juice
½ cup raisins (or cranberries)
4 tbs butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup apple sauce
1 egg
1 ¾ cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp ground cinnamon
Method:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Cut apple in half and remove core. Cut each half into slices approximately 1/8-inch thick. Stir together brown sugar and water in medium saucepan. Add apple slices. Cook, stirring gently over medium heat, until apple slices are softened, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle raisins in bottom of lined muffin pans. Arrange apple slices over raisins, drizzling with brown sugar sauce. Set aside. In large bowl or mixer, beat butter with granulated sugar until thoroughly combined. Add apple sauce and egg. In separate bowl, mix together flour, baking soda and cinnamon. Gently blend into apple sauce mixture. Spoon batter over apples and raisins, spreading evenly. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool 15 minutes before turning muffins out onto wire rack to cool completely.
Sending this to Show me your muffin event at Dil Se

Currant Slices with Spiced Apple Syrup

For this month's Sweet Punch Challenge we were challenged to make Currant Slices with Spiced Apple Syrup.I made this on a cold evening when I very badly wanted something sweet and warm.In my hurry to get this done I mixed the entire black currants into the batter instead of saving some for topping the batter.Another part I goofed up was when I burned the apple syrup.And as I was out of apple juice I substituted it with apple sauce.Apart from this the challenge was a breeze and Currant slices was well liked.My daughter who doesn't normally like currants ate them happily and asked me if she can take a piece for her school lunch the next day.
Recipe source - 1 mix,50 cakes
Ingredients
Black Currants - 175 gms / 6 oz
Cinnamon stick - 1' piece
Apple juice - 300 ml / 10 fl oz
Plain white flour - 175 gms / 6 oz
Baking powder - 2 tsp
Unsalted butter,softened - 175 gms / 6 oz
Caster sugar - 175 gms / 6 oz
Eggs - 3,beaten
Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
Oil or butter for greasing
Method
Place the currants,cinnamon stick and apple juice in a saucepan and bring to the boil.Remove from heat and leave to stand for several hours or overnight.Drain the currants thoroughly,pressing the juices through a sieve,reserving the juices and cinnamon stick.Set both the sieved currants and juice aside.
Preheat oven to 180C/350F or gas mark 4.
Grease and line a 12/9' rectangular tray bake tin[you could use a 9' square tin as well if you don't have a tray]
Sift together flour and baking powder,reserve.
In a large bowl,cream together the butter and sugar till fluffy.
Mix in beaten eggs and vanilla extract and beat well.
Add the flour mix little at a time and beat well till you get a smooth batter.
Stir half of the reserved currants into the mixture and spoon into the prepared tin.Spread the remaining currants over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until risen,firm and golden brown.
Meanwhile,boil the reserved juice and cinnamon stick rapidly to reduce by about half,until slightly syrupy.Discard the cinnamon stick.
Cut the cake into slices and serve warm with the hot syrup spooned over.

Cinnamony Apples

Haven't we all heard the saying ,an apple a day keeps the doctor away.Then why wait ! Make this and you wouldn't be sorry .This is a yummy gooey apple dessert that can be had with ice cream ,whipped cream or even with your pancakes.Those of you who have a husband,wife or a child who is a doctor keep yourself away from this as too many apples may keep them away from you.:)
Ingredients:
2 medium-large  tart apples, cored, peeled and thinly sliced
2 Tablespoon lemon juice (only needed if the apples are not tart)
1/2 cup water, divided
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon raisins
1/2 Tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
dash ground nutmeg
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
Ice cream  optional
Instructions:
1. In medium-sized saucepan, heat fruit, 1/4 cup water,lemon juice, sugar, raisins, butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg, stirring occasionally, until boiling. Boil just  until fruit is tender.
2. In small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and 1/4 cup water until smooth. Add to fruit mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and cook for 1-2 minutes, until thickened.
3. Serve warm fruit mixture with ice cream or whipped cream if desired