[Kitchen Witch]

The Frosty Apple

1 pint vanilla ice cream
1 quart naturally sweet apple cider
4-6 scoops vanilla ice cream (optional)
Freshly ground nutmeg

Let a pint of vanilla ice cream soften at room temperature or microwave for 20 seconds. Put ice cream and cider into a blender or food processor and blend until frothy and well mixed. Stir in nutmeg. Pour into tall glasses and top with a scoop of ice cream, if desired. Sprinkle nutmeg on top. Yield 6 one-cup servings.



Apple Cider Baked Beans

Slow cooked in a flavorful sauce, the wonderful aroma of these simmering beans will warm hour heart and your kitchen. Beans are winter comfort food. They are naturally low in fat and high in vegetable protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Remember that one cup dried beans will yield slightly more than 2 cups cooked.

2 cups dried white navy beans, picked over, washed and soaked (May substitute canned beans by using three 15 ounce cans of navy beans or great northern beans. Drain and rinse. Proceed with recipe.)
1 small onion, diced
4 tablespoons molasses
8 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 small bay leaf
1 teaspoons cider vinegar
4 teaspoons soy sauce
1 1/3 cups apple cider, boiling
Boiling water

To prepare beans:

Pour beans onto a flat surface (countertop) in a single layer. Pick out rocks, dirt balls, off colored and broken beans. Discard. Wash beams in two changes of cold water. Cover with 3 inches of water and allow beans to soak overnight or 8 to 10 hours. (Quick soak method: Cover cleaned beans with 3 inches cold water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 10 minutes, turn heat off and let stand for 2 hours or more. Proceed as directed below.)

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Drain beans, reserving liquid. Bring liquid to a boil. Pour beans into a deep oven-proof casserole or bean pot. Add all the ingredients, stir and add enough reserved boiling to cover beans. Cover the casserole with foil or the lid. Bake 6 hours, adding a little more water if necessary after 3 hours of baking. Yield 6 servings.



Apple Pancakes with Spicy Yogurt and Cider Syrup

Cider syrup is simply an apple cider reduction. The apple cider is cooked down to a thick amber syrup, which concentrated the natural sugar and rich apple flavor. Because this recipe starts with a pancake mix, it is quick and easy. Purchase a whole-wheat mix that requires adding eggs and milk, not the complete just-add-water type. Use homemade applesauce or the chunky commercial style. Great for a weekend brunch!

6 cups apple cider
1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
6 tablespoons chunky applesauce
2 cup whole-wheat pancake mix
2 cup skim milk
2 egg, slightly beaten (or 1 whole egg plus one egg white)
6 tablespoons chunky applesauce
Canola oil
Extra cinnamon for Garnish

Start by making the syrup; pour the cider in a pot that is large enough to be no more than half filled. Place the pan over high heat, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, very slow boil, and cook for about 30 minutes. Cook until the cider is reduced to one cup. Set aside. (Syrup can be made in advance. Keeps for about one week in the refrigerator. Warm or bring to room temperature before serving.) Next, in a small bowl, combine yogurt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 6 tablespoons applesauce. Refrigerate until ready to serve. In a large bowl, combine milk, eggs, and 6 tablespoons applesauce. Stir in pancake mix. Mix well enough to moisten, do not over mix. If the batter is too thick add a little water. Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. When skillet is hot, lightly grease. Add batter, making medium pancakes, about 1/2 cup batter per pancake. Cook until tiny bubbles form on top, peek under the edge, turn when pancake is golden brown and continue to cook. Place on a platter and keep pancakes and 4 serving plates warm in a heated oven. To serve; fan (slightly overlap) 5 pancakes on a warm plate. Drizzle Cider Syrup over the pancakes (about 1/2 cup) and top with a dollop of spiced Yogurt, garnish with an additional sprinkle of cinnamon. Yield 4 servings.



Apple and Pumpkin Tart

Although pumpkin pie is traditional, you may want to start your own tradition with the simple but elegant dessert. Serve it chilled or warm with a dollop of whipped cream. It's sinful, and so delicious! Canned pumpkin will work for this recipe, but you may want to cook your own, see Pumpkins and More for making a pumpkin puree.

1 8-inch frozen pie crust, thawed (Instead of using a frozen commercial piecrust, you can make your own tart shell and chill before adding the filling.)
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
3 medium cooking apples, peeled, cored and diced
(Granny Smith, Jonathan, Cortland or your favorite variety)
1/2 cup apple cider
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs plus 2 egg whites, slightly beaten
1/2 cup currants
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon salt

Thaw crust and press into an 8-inch fluted tart pan. Use a rolling pin to roll over the edges, making crust even with top of tart pan. Place in the freezer while assembling tart filling. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine all the tart ingredients and mix well. Scrape the filling into the prepared tart shell. Smooth evenly around the pan. Bake 15 minutes at 425 degrees, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees and continue to bake for 40 minutes. Allow to cool before serving. Top with whipped cream, if desired.