Recipes

Serves 4 to 6

INGREDIENTS

For soup

3 pounds winter squash (such as kabocha, acorn, or butternut), peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large or 2 medium Spanish onions, chopped (2 cups)
Sea salt or kosher salt
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
3 garlic cloves, peeled
1 quart vegetable stock, or water
½ cup apple cider or apple juice
Freshly ground black pepper

For bouquet garni

1 small handful celery leaves
3 to 4 fresh sage leaves
One 2-inch piece cinnamon stick
3 whole cloves

For spiced créme fraiche

&frac12 cup créme fraiche or sour cream
Freshly grated nutmeg
Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly ground cinnamon
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Toss the squash with the oil, season lightly with salt, and spread on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast, turning several times, until the squash is tender and lightly caramelized, 25 to 30 minutes.

While the squash is roasting, in a heavy, 3 to 5 quart soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onions and ½ teaspoon of salt and cook, stirring, for a minute or two. Stir in the ginger and garlic, cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook gently for 15 minutes, stirring once or twice and lowering the heat if necessary to keep the vegetables from browning. Pour in the stock or water, and the apple cider or juice, and add the roasted squash.

To make the bouquet garni, bundle the ingredients in a square of cheesecloth and tie it closed with kitchen twine.

Add the bouquet garni to the soup. Raise the heat to bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to as low as possible, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Discard the bouquet garni and pass the soup through the fine holes of a food mill (or puree using an immersion blender or working in batches in a hand blender).

In a bowl, combine the créme fraiche with 5 or 6 gratings of nutmeg, several grinds of black pepper, and a pinch of salt.

Serve the soup in bowls with a dollop of the spiced créme fraiche, a dash of cinnamon, and a sprinkling of parsley.

Stop and Take Stock.

Making a simple vegetable soup? Take stock of the trimmings, and the other vegetables you have on hand and consider simmering them into a flavorful broth to enhance the flavor and nutrient-content of your soup. In a stockpot, combine 6 cups of any of the following: squash and ginger peels, mushroom stems, cabbage cores, parsley stems, chopped carrots, celery, onions, mushrooms, leeks, parsnips, fennel, and garlic (cut a whole heat in half crosswise, and leave the peels on). Add a couple bay leaves, and some fresh thyme, or sage, cover with water, bring to a simmer, skim off any foam that rises, then simmer gently, uncovered, for an hour. Strain and use right away or refrigerate for up to 2 days.

© Recipe Property of Peter Berley

Serves 8

INGREDIENTS

For the crepes

2 cups 2% milk
1 tablespoon sugar in the raw
1 teaspoon sea salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
½ cup buckwheat flour
¾ cup all purpose flour
1 tablespoon golden flaxseeds
3 eggs

DIRECTIONS

Whisk together all ingredients until a smooth batter is formed. Batter will be much thinner than pancake batter. Place in refrigerator for about 30 minutes or until cold before making crepes. Lightly grease a non-stick griddle pan and place over high heat. Making sure pan is very hot, pour batter to form a 7 inch circle. When crepe is cooked on one side, about 15 to 30 seconds, flip and cook on opposite side. Repeat until all batter is used.

For the caramelized apples

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons butter
4 apples, peeled, cored and cut into wedges
2 tablespoons sugar in the raw
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped super fine
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
¼ apple cider

DIRECTIONS

In a medium sauté pan, over medium heat, add butter and melt. Add apples and cook for a few minutes. Add sugar, cinnamon, rosemary and nutmeg. Continue to cook apples, until slightly golden and caramelized, about 8 minutes. Add apple cider and turn up heat a bit until mixture thickens. Remove from heat.

For the light rosemary cream

INGREDIENTS

½ cup crème fraiche
½ cup 2% milk
1 tablespoon syrup from caramelized apples
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped fine

DIRECTIONS

Whisk together all ingredients until a smooth cream is formed. Can be made thicker or thinner by adding less or more milk.

To assemble crepes

Place a little bit of the apple mixture in a crepe and fold over. Spoon some light rosemary cream over the top.

Serves 4 to 6

INGREDIENTS

For the crust

2 cups Cayuga Organics farmer ground half white flour
½ teaspoon sea or kosher salt
½ cup sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into small dice, and very well chilled
¼ cup ice water

DIRECTIONS

Combine flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to combine.

Add butter, and blend 15 to 20 seconds.

Start the blender and immediately start pouring water in a slow, steady stream. Should take 10 to 15 more seconds. Stop motor. The dough should appear dry, but hold together when pinched. If it falls apart, add another couple of tablespoons of ice water.

Turn dough out on to a sheet of plastic wrap, form into a 1 inch thick square, wrap, and refrigerate 1 hour to hydrate.

For quine

3 ripe quince
2 cups apple cider
2 cups sugar
1 stick of cinnamon
2 allspice berries
2 slices of lemon
Pinch sea or kosher salt

DIRECTIONS

Peel quince, slice into 6ths, and then core. Place in a sauce pan with the remaining ingredients, and cover with water. Bring to a boil, drop to a simmer, and cook partially covered until the quince is very soft when pierced with a paring knife. Carefully remove the quince to a sheet tray and chill.

For the apple puree

2 Granny Smith or other tart apples
½ stick butter
½ cup sugar
Generous squeeze lemon juice
¼ teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons corn starch

DIRECTIONS

Add apples, butter, sugar, lemon, and salt to a small pot. Add water to barely come up to the tops of the apples. Bring to a boil, drop to a simmer, and cover with a parchment paper hat. Cook until the apples are very soft – about 30 minutes.

Dissolve corn starch in 2 tablespoons water, and then add to apples. Return to a boil, and then remove from heat, and transfer to the bowl of a blender. Puree well on high, scraping down the sides as necessary, and strain. Refrigerate.

To assemble tart

Cut dough in half, and roll out on a lightly floured surface to about ¹⁄₈” thick. Dust again with flour then transfer to a parchment lined sheet tray, and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Once crust has chilled, place into a 12″ x 4″ rectangular tart mold sprayed with PAM. Work crust into corners, then trim, leaving ¼” of crust above edge of the tart mold. Refrigerate ½ hour to prevent it from shrinking. Preheat oven to 375°F.

Place a sheet of parchment over the tart shell, fill with baking beans, and blind bake in the oven on a sheet tray until golden brown – about 40 minutes.

Remove from the oven, carefully remove parchment, and pour off baking beans (save for another use). Spread ½ to ¾ cup apple puree evenly along the bottom of the tart shell.

Cut quince pieces on a hard bias into ¼ inch slices. Arrange on top of apple puree in an overlapping pattern.

Return to the sheet tray, and bake 30 to 40 minutes, or until the apple puree starts to bubble at the edges, and the crust is a darker golden brown on the edges.

Chill 1 hour, cut, and serve with caramel ice cream, and diced apples cooked in bourbon.

Recipe Property of Gabe McMackin

INGREDIENTS

1 pound apples, peeled, cored and chopped fine
¾ cups apple cider
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
½ cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon fresh nutmeg, grated
1 egg white, for brushing tops of pop tarts
2 tablespoons soy or rice milk (vegan option), for brushing tops of pop tarts

DIRECTIONS

In a saucepan over medium heat add ingredients and cook until sugar is dissolved and mixture starts to thicken and reduce. Take off heat and let cool before using to fill pop tart.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Lay one rolled piece of pie dough on a parchment lined baking sheet and place filling in the center.
Cover with another piece of dough and crimp edges closed. Brush top with egg white or soy or rice milk (vegan option) and sprinkle with topping of choice. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Suggested Crust: Whole wheat, plain, cornmeal
Suggested Topping: Brown sugar butter glaze, chopped walnuts, flax seeds

Makes 1 quart

INGREDIENTS

1 quart fresh apple cider
1 cinnamon stick
3 cloves
1 star anise
1 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
1 to 2-inch piece of ginger, sliced thin (peeled or not peeled)

PREPARATION

Place all items in a large pot on high heat. When mixture begins to boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes. Strain and serve in a glass with a handle to avoid being burned. Can be garnished with a cinnamon stick, apple slice and a dash of cinnamon.

Makes one gallon

INGREDIENTS

1 gallon fresh apple cider
1 tart apple, sliced horizontally
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise
1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
2 whole cloves
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1-2 cups dark rum (can be omitted for non-alcoholic version)

PREPARATION

Place all ingredients in a large pot and simmer for about 15 minutes. Serve warm.

Makes 20 medium latkes

This is a semi-traditional potato latke recipe with a modern version of applesauce to go with it.

INGREDIENTS

For Latkes

5-6 medium potatoes, washed, peeled, and grated
1 medium yellow onion, grated
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped fine
2 eggs, beaten
½ cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetable oil

For Rosemary Apple Chutney

3 medium Fuji or pink lady apples (or other hard and tart apples), chopped in small cubes
1½ cups apple cider
1 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped fine
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and chopped fine
Juice of 1 medium lemon
2 fresh bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt

PREPARATION

In a large mixing bowl, combine grated potatoes, onion, rosemary, eggs, flour, salt, and pepper, and mix well. Heat a large bottom skillet on high heat, making sure there is enough oil to cover the bottom generously. Form 2-inch pancakes, drop into pan, and brown on both sides until deep golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Take off heat, and place on paper towels so excess oil can be drained.

Place all ingredients for rosemary apple chutney in a heavy bottom medium sauce pan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and let simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally for 20 to 30 minutes or until chutney is at desired consistency and apples are soft. Tale off heat, and discard bay leaves. Serve over hot latkes.

Makes 1 Casserole Size Pie

Here is a great seasonal family meal, filled with nutrition and fit for a fancy potluch. Don’t be frightened by the beggar’s purses either – they’re a cinch.

INGREDIENTS

For the Pies

1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 pound or about 3-4 links of turkey or chicken apple sausage
2 medium tart apples, cored and chopped
3 cups purple kale, chopped coarsley
1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1 cup fresh apple cider
1 cup chicken broth
Salt/pepper

For the Beggar’s Purses

8 sheets phyllo dough
1 stick butter, melted
½ cup parmesan cheese
1 tart apple, peeled cored, and chopped fine
8 fresh chives, blanched

PREPARATION

In a large sauté pan, over medium high heat, add oil. Sauté onions, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 7 minutes. Add sausage, apples, and kale, cook until sausage is cooked through and greens are wilted. Add apple cider, chicken broth and season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until sauce is reduced by half. Set aside.

Cut each phyllo sheet in half to equal 16 squares in total. Make sure to cover phyllo that you’re not using with a damp cloth or paper towel.

On a flat surface, place one phyllo sheet, and brush entire surface (especially the edges) with melted butter. Place a second sheet on top in the opposite direction, creating an “X” pattern. Brush with butter again; repeat with 2 more sheets – which will equal 4 sheets in total.

In the center of the top sheet, place 1 tablespoon of apples on top, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Pull all the sides of the phyllo up towards the center to make a purse. Tie the top with a blanched chive. Brush outside with more melted butter. Continue until 8 purses are assembled.

Place purses on top of casserole, and bake.

Makes 2 cups of gravy

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 medium shallots, chopped fine
3 cloves garlic, chopped fine
1 cup tart apples, chopped fine
1½ tablespoons fresh ginger, chopped super fine
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped fine
1 tablespoon fresh marjoram, chopped fine
½ tablespoon fresh sage, chopped fine
1 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
1 cinnamon stick
2 fresh bay leaves
1 cup apple cider
½ cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons apple brandy or Lairds applejack (optional)
½ cup heavy whipping cream

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 400ËšF.

In a medium sauté pan, heat butter and oil over medium high heat. Sauté shallots and garlic and cook, 5 minutes. Next, add apples and ginger, cook 3 minutes longer. Remove 2 tablespoons of the mixture and place on a lined baking sheet and place in the oven and cook until until crispy, 7 to 10 minutes. Once cooked, remove from oven and set aside.

Meanwhile, add the fresh herbs, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, apple cider, chicken broth and apple brandy to the rest of the sauté mixture, combine and cook, 30 minutes or until liquid is reduced by a quarter. Remove pan from heat and add heavy whipping cream and add cooked crispy apple bits.

Makes 3 cups

This is an extrmely versatile cranberry sauce, pleasing the palettes of most everyone, while tasting delightful and fallish with a unique, subtle and spicy gingery twist! Also a delicous accompaniment to pork!

INGREDIENTS

3 cups fresh cranberries
2 medium tart apples, peeled and cored and chopped super fine
1 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon allspice
1 cinnamon stick
2 tablespoons fresh ginger root, peeled and chopped super fine
½ cup walnuts, toasted and chopped fine
1 cup apple cider

PREPARATION

Place all ingredients in a sauce pan over medium heat and cook until cranberries begin to burst. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until sauce is thick and chunky, about 25 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick. This can be kept chunky or blended until smooth.

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1 (2 pound) pork tenderloin
Salt
¼ cup honey
3 tablespoons apple cider
2 tablespoons Dijon
2 to 3 apples, chopped superfine
2 (3-inch) pieces ginger, peeled and chopped superfine
1 tablespoon cracked black pepper
3 tablespoons canola oil

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Season porl tenderloin generously with salt. In a small bowl combine honey, apple cider and mustard, mix well. In a separate bowl, combie apples, ginger and cracked black pepper and set aside. Pour honey mixture over pork tenderloin and coat well. Next, place apple ginger mixture on a large plate and roll pork tenderloin until coated on all sides. Heat canola oil over high-heat in large saute pan, cook tenderloin on all sides, including ends, until golden brown. Place in over and cook for 20 minutes. Once out of oven, let rest for 10 minutes before serving.