By Amy L. Dempster, Westford Eagle
Wondering what to do with all those apples your child picked at the orchard recently? It’s the time of year when a bounty of McIntosh, cortlands, and golden delicious are finding their way into homes from pick your own excursions and visits to local farm stands and farmers markets.
Many will agree that crunching a ripe locally-grown apple is the best way to enjoy. After the first half dozen or so, however, children may have a different opinion. Here are some apple recipes that children of all ages are sure to savor.
- Apple Muffins. Breakfast is an essential start to the day especially for children. It’s the meal that replenishes our bodies after a busy night of repair and gives us energy to face the day. A homemade whole grain and apple muffin provides the right balance of nutrients to wake up even the sleepiest of students.
- Apple Salad Roll-Me-Ups. This twist on a traditional wrap includes a savory filling and fun presentation for children. Simply mix chopped apples, cooked chicken, cheddar cheese cubes, and chopped nuts (optional) with a favorite creamy salad dressing or yogurt. Fill a tortilla, roll it up and slice into mini-rolled sandwiches. For extra fun add an umbrella toothpick to hold together.
- Simply Sweet Apple Sauce. Sweet local apples make this side dish or snack a cinch to prepare. Peel and chop 4-5 apples. Add to pot with ½ cup water and dash of cinnamon (optional). Cook until apples are softened and water is mostly absorbed. Mash and eat warm or cool in the refrigerator.
- Apple Pizza. Apple pizza is a fun twist on dessert and a good cooking activity for kids. Peel and cut 3-4 apples into thin slices or chunks. Add cut apples, 1-2 tablespoons of butter, dash of cinnamon and 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar to a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until apples are softened. Let cool a bit. Divide 1 pizza dough ball into 3-4 pieces. Have children flatten each one, brush with softened butter (using fingers to spread works too) and sprinkle with sugar. Bake in 400 degree oven until browned and crusty. Remove and top with apple mixture. Dust with powdered sugar for additional yum.
- Apple Grilled Cheese. Liven up grilled cheese by adding apple slices to your child’s favorite recipe. Adventuresome kids may like to try different cheese varieties like Cheddar or Swiss or even a few slices of bacon.
- Silly Apple Faces. This edible art activity doubles for a delicious afterschool snack. Gather snacks items such as raisins, craisins, pretzel sticks, nuts, sunflower seeds or whatever you have in your pantry. Slice an apple into rounds. Have children spread peanut butter or similar over the apple rounds and use snacks to make silly faces. For younger children, demonstrate how to make eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hair, eyebrows, etc. and then give them freedom to create.
- Apple Parfaits. This versatile recipe is all about presentation. Children will enjoy layering the food into a clear glass and seeing the resulting pattern. For dessert parfaits, layer crushed cookies or crumbled cake, vanilla pudding (add cinnamon for taste), and chopped apples into a glass. Repeat for multiple layers. For breakfast parfaits, substitute cookies and cake with granola or crumbled muffins and pudding with yogurt.
- Apple Pancakes. A kid-friendly recipe list is not complete without pancakes. Enjoy them on a lazy Sunday morning or as a quick breakfast for dinner meal. Simply add grated apple to your favorite pancake recipe or see recipe on sidebar.
RECIPE – Apple Pancakes
You Need
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded apple
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
Make It
- In a large bowl, combine butter, egg, milk and apple.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and sugar.
- Stir flour mixture into apple mixture, just until combined.
- Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately ¼ cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.
