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apples

Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

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Photo by Pattie Garrett

By Lucinda Scala Quinn, D’Artagnan Foods, shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table
YIELD: 6 servings

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 6 pork chops*
● salt and pepper to taste
● 1 Tablespoon olive oil
● 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
● 1 large onion*, sliced
● 2-3 apples*, cored and sliced
● 1 cup apple cider*

Instructions
1. Trim the chops of excess fat and sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat a 14-inch cast-iron skillet over high heat and then swirl in olive oil. Lay the pork chops in the pan and don’t move for a few minutes. This assures a good golden sear. Turn the chops over and brown well on the second side for a total of about 10 minutes. Remove the chops to a warm plate.
2. Swirl the butter into the pan. Add the onions and apples. Saute until the onion slices are lightly caramelized and the apples have begun to soften for about 8 minutes. Stir in the apple cider. Return the chops to the pan.
3. Cook until the pork is tender, about 15 minutes, depending on the size of the chops, turning halfway through and covering the chops with the apple mixture. If the apple mixture needs a little thickening, remove the chops to the warm plate again and simmer the mixture on high for a few minutes to reduce.

Apple Kuchen

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Apple Kuchen, photo by Pattie Garrett

Adapted from the recipe by Chocolatechocolateandmore.com,
shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table
Serves: 12

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
Cake:
● ½ cup butter, room temperature
● ⅔ cup sugar
● 2 eggs*
● 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
● 1½ cup all-purpose flour
● 1½ teaspoons baking powder
● ¼ teaspoons salt
● 1 teaspoon apple pie seasoning*
● ½ cup Greek yogurt*
● 4-5 medium apples*

Topping:
● 3 Tablespoons sugar
● ½ teaspoon apple pie seasoning*

Glaze:
● 1 cup powdered sugar
● 1½ Tablespoons milk*
● ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
1. For Cake: Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, add vanilla.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
3. Alternating, add flour mixture and sour cream, starting and ending with flour. Mixing just until each addition is incorporated into the batter.
4. Lightly grease a 9 X 13 baking pan. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
5. Peel, core, and slice apples into thin slices. Place apples in a single layer across the top of the batter.
6. For Topping: Combine sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over top of apple layer.
7. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Remove cake from oven and let cool for 30 minutes.
9. For Glaze: Combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla, stirring until smooth. Drizzle over top of the cake. Serve cake still warm or can be served cooled.

Marquette-Braised Beef Brisket

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Recipe by Frank Falcinelli and Frank Castronovo for Food & Wine
Active time: 45 mins
Total time: 4 hrs 30 mins
Yield: 6 servings

AdobeStock

Ingredients
*Ingredients available at the farmers’ market
● 2 1/2 pounds beef brisket*, fat trimmed to 1/4 inch
● 2 cups of Fossi Stone’s Marquette*
● 1 cup red wine vinegar
● 4 juniper berries, smashed
● 2 teaspoons white peppercorns
● 2 carrots*, finely diced
● 1 celery rib, finely diced
● 2 garlic cloves*, thinly sliced
● 4 large onions*, thinly sliced
● 1/4 cup canola oil
● Salt and freshly ground pepper
● 2 tart apples*, finely chopped, plus 1/2 tart apple, peeled and chopped, for garnish (optional)
● 1/2 cup raisins
● 1 bay leaf
● 1 teaspoon chopped thyme*
● 3/4 cup chicken stock or low-sodium broth

Instructions
● In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the beef brisket with the Marquette, red wine vinegar, juniper berries, white peppercorns, carrots, celery, garlic, and 1 of the onions. Close the bag, pressing out any air, and refrigerate the brisket overnight or for up to 2 days.
● Preheat the oven to 275°. Strain the marinade, discarding the solids. Pat the brisket dry. In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat the oil. Season the brisket with salt and pepper and cook over moderate heat until browned all over, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the brisket to a large plate. Add the remaining 3 onions and the 2 finely chopped apples to the casserole and cook over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until softened, about 7 minutes.
● Return the brisket to the casserole and add the raisins, bay leaf, thyme, and the strained marinade. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Cover and braise in the oven for about 3 hours, until the meat is very tender; turn the brisket halfway through cooking.
● Carefully transfer the brisket to a plate; cover and keep warm. Strain the cooking liquid into a heatproof measuring cup, pressing down on the solids. Wipe out the casserole and add the cooking liquid and chicken stock. Boil over moderately high heat until reduced by half, about 20 minutes. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Thinly slice the brisket across the grain and garnish with the chopped apple. Serve with the sauce and a glass of Fossil Stone’s Marquette.

Make Ahead: The brisket can be refrigerated in the sauce, whole or sliced, for up to 2 days. Rewarm in the oven.

Keeping the Lunchbox Fresh

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by Jodie Fitz

Saratoga Apple, photo by Pattie Garrett

All meals have their challenges whether it’s a pandemic or not; packing the lunchbox is no exception.

I have three children and I’d like to tell you I figured it all out after the first, but I did not. Each child came with their own sets of likes and dislikes. My youngest was, and is, my pickiest eater with a fickle palate that’s forever changing. She is NOT the traditional sandwich eater.

Carmella Making Apple Parfait, photo by Jodie Fitz

Whether you are homeschooling, fully virtual, or schooling in a hybrid fashion here are few lunchtime prep tips that are tried and true:
● Use the weekend to organize the plan.
● Separate shelf-stable snacks in containers or Ziploc® bags and put them in a basket so that the kids know they are for lunchbox packing only.
● Prepack refrigerated items into containers for several days at a time, label and keep those items in the fridge ready to grab.
● Include your children in the entire process.

The goal? Keeping you from spending more time than needed in the kitchen during the busy weekdays. Not only will these steps save you time, but they will also help to promote independence in the kiddos and hopefully feel-good vibes in your kitchen (wink).

Here are some easy prep ideas that include apples:

Toby making fruit dip, photo by Jodie Fitz

1. Cinnamon Apples: Simply wash, core, slice your apples. Place them in a Ziploc® style bag. Add a few shakes of cinnamon, seal the bag, and shake. This helps to avoid brown apples, enhances flavor and they keep in the fridge for several days.
2. Dip: Make yogurt dips to serve with the cinnamon apples and keep in mini containers. Try my Creamsicle Fruit Dip by folding 6 oz. low-fat vanilla yogurt with 6 oz. of Greek yogurt and the juice freshly squeezed from half of a navel orange.
3. Apple Pie Parfait: Layer vanilla yogurt, granola, and cooked apples that have been cooled. Simply wash, core, peel, and dice two apples. Cook them in a saucepan with 3 tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. These will keep for several days in the fridge.

*Apples, cinnamon, yogurt, and granola are all available at the farmers’ market.

Cheers to a successful school year.

Jodie Fitz is the creator of the Price Chopper/Market 32 Kids Cooking Club. You can learn more about her, her recipes, and her online classes by visiting JodieFitz.com. She is also the author of Fidget Grows a Pizza Garden.

This week’s recipe: Peanutty Apple Wraps

Week 8: Apples

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Saratoga Apple, photo by Pattie Garrett

 

Extra resources:

Here’s a visual of the bird feeder activity: Homemade Apple Bird Feeder

Apple | How Does It Grow? (video – recommended for older kids)

Fruit for Kids with Blippi | Apple Fruit Factory Tour (video – recommended for younger kids)

Top 10 Easy Apple Recipes For Kids To Try Out Today (listicle)

6 Apple Recipes to Cook with Kids (listicle)

Farm to Pantry: Making meals with ingredients on hand

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By Julia Howard

Pleasant Valley Farm, photo by Pattie Garrett

Our responsibility, by direction, is to stay at home and only head out for essentials when absolutely necessary. As we settle in safely for the weeks to come, many are looking to foods that store well, foods that are easy to prepare, and, most importantly, foods that are available right now.

While food bloggers hail smart and savvy ‘pantry meals’ that utilize canned goods, rice, and beans, the farmers’ market offers an expanded palette of foods that are easy to store and last longer than most produce found at grocery stores.

Vegetables like onions, garlic, potatoes, and carrots are often at the core of savory, hearty meals. They are durable and have a good shelf life, and these vegetables work well in diverse meals depending on preparation methods and seasonings. Please note that garlic is currently unavailable at market.

Photo by Pattie Garrett

Milk, butter, cheese, and eggs are staples that most of us keep in constant rotation in the refrigerator. These binding ingredients are often what pulls the meal together. Milk may be used to create a creamy finish to soups and sauces like a classic roux – which is made from butter, flour, and milk. Eggs can be used to create satisfying omelettes and frittatas with endless possibilities for fillings. Cheese is essential for homemade pizza, quesadillas, baked ziti, and numerous other dishes.

Saratoga Apple, photo by Pattie Garrett

Shelf-stable vegetables like sweet potatoes, beets, and turnips can last for several weeks when kept in a cool, dry place. These vegetables can be the main stars of any meal, soup, or salad, and they are high in nutritional value. Even fruits like apples can keep for 2-3 weeks. Having a variety of these long-lasting fruits and vegetables inspires cooking that’s creative, comforting, and simple.

Meat and poultry are necessities for most, and they can be bought directly from farmers. Ground beef, whole chickens, and steaks and roasts can be kept frozen and thawed under refrigeration once you are ready to prepare them. Leftovers from a large roast or a whole roasted chicken may be used in a variety of dishes and soups as well.

While shopping at the farmers’ market, please remember to follow universal precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19. Please try to send one member of the household to shop and give 6’ space while shopping. Only touch products that you commit to buy and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after shopping.

If you plan to shop for something specific, please check our website and social media pages for updates. These are changeable times and we are working to keep you up to date with vendor and product availability each week.

 

This week’s recipe: Pantry Pot Pie