Oct 14, 20213 min read

Fall’s colors bring good flavors

Updated: Jun 7, 2022

Fall’s arrival is announced by the display that happens when leaves change from green to the brilliant hues they turn before floating to the ground. As that occurs, apples and pears that have ripened to perfection are ready to be transformed into tasty delicacies with a little help from your kitchen skills.

Delicious as raw fruits are, they become succulent when heat is added allowing their juices, full of sugar, to caramelize. Pies commonly display their flavors. But there are lots of other possibilities: apple or pear cakes, crisps, tarts, strudel, and muffins.

Have you ever tried baked apples or poaching pears in red wine? They are both delightful. I’ve included the recipes below for you to discover for yourself how good they are.

BAKED APPLES

Serves: 4

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 1 hour

Preheat oven to 375°

Ingredients

4 apples for baking, Mutsu, Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji (I always ask at the farmers market what they suggest)

3 tablespoons softened unsalted butter

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup chopped walnuts

¼ cup dried raisins or cranberries

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon Nutmeg

¾ cup warm water for baking

Directions

With a paring knife, cut around the apple core from the top about half way down, leaving the bottom intact.
Use a spoon to remove the seeds.
In a bowl, combine all remaining ingredients, except the water, blend with a fork to combine.
Spoon the filling into the center of the apple.
Place apples in a baking dish.
Pour the water on the bottom.
Place in the oven for 40–45 minutes until the apple is cooked through.
Serve each apple, pouring a spoonful of the juice over each.

POACHED PEARS IN WINE

from Le Kitchen Cookbook: a Workbook (page 308)

This is a classic French dessert that takes full advantage of the fresh flavor of pears as well as the richness of local wines.

Serves: 8

Prep time: 10 minutes

Total time: 30minutes

Ingredients

4 Anjou pears, select firm fruit

1½ cups red wine, choose a full-body wine such as Cabernet, Shiraz, or Merlot

¾ cups sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cinnamon stick

1 pint vanilla ice cream

Directions

Peel pears, cut in half, and core.
Combine wine, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon into a deep pot. Bring to a simmer, add the pears, cook for 10 minutes.
Turn the pears over and continue cooking 10 minutes or until pears are tender when pierced with a knife.
With a slotted spoon, remove pears and cool.
Continue simmering wine until reduced by half and it becomes a syrup thick enough to coat a spoon.
Remove the spices.
Let the pears cool to room temperature.
Place half a pear into serving bowls, pour syrup over, and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Take advantage of this season’s fruits and try these recipes.

Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. Merci

Do you know the secret that good cooks know? The one that transforms simple dishes into really amazing ones?

The answer is SAUCES!

And despite what you've been told they are actually easy to make!

Let Le Kitchen Cookbook: a Workbook. show you how. GET IT HERE

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Gindy October 19, 2021

I am reading this post on a crisp, sunny fall morning, as I look out my window at falling leaves. You have made my mouth water and I look forward to trying both recipes very soon!