Ten things you can do with apples

Prima online 15.02.2007

Not just for the fruit bowl - oh no!

How to... make the most of apples

1 Bake them. Core whole apples and stuff with dried cranberries and chopped pecans. Drizzle with honey and bake in a hot oven for 30 mins, till soft.

2 Roast them. Slice two apples in half and add to the roasting tin along with a joint of pork 30 mins before end of cooking time. Or roast with some pork sausages or root vegetables for a midweek feast.

3 Make a quick sauce. Pierce the apple skin with a knife a few times, and stud with 2-3 cloves. Put on a plate in the microwave for 1-2 mins, till soft. Leave till apples are cool enough to handle, then cut in half and scoop out the cooked flesh. Pile into a bowl with a little seasoning and serve either warm or cool.

4 Fry them. Core whole apples and slice horizontally into thick rings. Melt a knob of butter in a frying pan. Fry apple gently with some sliced leeks till soft and golden. Sprinkle with ground black pepper and serve with some crispy bacon.

5 Serve up toasties. Mix grated apple with grated cheese and a little smooth mustard, to taste. Spread over a piece of bread and grill till cheese is golden brown and bubbling.

6 Use in a salad. Slice a sweet dessert apple into small chunks and sprinkle with lemon juice to stop it going brown. Add to some peppery watercress with cubed salty feta and some crunchy nuts or seeds for a salad full of interesting flavours and texture.

7 Use apple purée to bind minced pork into meatballs or burgers. Cook peeled, chopped apple in a few tablespoons of water till soft and pulpy. Stir into a bowl of mince with some sweated onion, chopped herbs, a dash of Worcester sauce and plenty of seasoning. Shape into balls or patties, and shallow-fry in a little oil till cooked through.

8 Do some baking. Use sweet apple purée to bind and flavour scones or muffins. Cook peeled, chopped apple in a few tablespoons of water till soft and pulpy. Add 2-3tbsp to scone mix or muffin batter. Bake as usual, sprinkling muffins or scones with brown sugar for a crunchy topping. Or use sweet purée and some whipped cream to fill a Victoria sandwich.

9 Update apple pie. Make apple filo parcels. Cut a dessert apple into small pieces and spoon into the centre of a few sheets of filo. Sprinkle with cinnamon or add a little grated marzipan. Brush pastry edges with melted butter and fold up to seal the pastry. Brush all over with more melted butter and put on a baking tray. Pop in a hot oven for about 20 mins, till pastry is golden and crisp.

10 Spoon up fruity porridge. Grate a cooking apple into porridge oats before cooking, then make as usual, adding sugar or a spoonful of honey.

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