Apple – Inspired Fall Recipes

The arrival of fall means apple orchards around the nation are gearing up for picking season. While different types of apples peak throughout the year, the fall batch of apples is especially delicious! Varieties such as Cameo, McIntosh, Cortland and Fuji all reach their peak during the fall season, promising particularly juicy, sweet and crisp apples.

Carver’s Orchard & Apple House Restaurant in Cosby, Tennessee features a restaurant and orchard specializing in all things apple. Their market offers seasonal produce such as dozens of bushels of apples, peppers, sweet potatoes, eggplant, onions and more. Located about 30 minutes away from Pigeon Forge, a trip to Carver’s makes for a great day trip with the kids!

After enjoying a delicious lunch at the restaurant (may we suggest the fried chicken or pulled pork?) head over to the market to snag a bushel of your favorite type of apple. While you may want to devour the apples right then and there, we recommend flexing your cooking skills and trying out a few of our favorite apple-inspired recipes below!

How about starting your day off with a bowl of Apple Pie Oatmeal?

• 2 cups milk
• 2 apples, cored and chopped
• 1 cup rolled or regular oats
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/8 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients in pot over medium heat. Bring mixture to boil, then cover and reduce to simmer, stirring occasionally. Cook for 10-15 minutes or until thick. Serve and top with sprinkle of brown sugar.

For dinner, put your slow cooker to work and try Crockpot Pork and Apples…

• 2 pounds pork tenderloin
• 3-4 sliced apples
• 1 yellow or sweet onion, sliced thin
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon spicy or Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper

Season pork with salt and pepper. Place at bottom of crock pot. Mix all other ingredients together and pour on top of pork. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours.

For dessert, experiment with Easy Caramel Apples…

• 4 apples
• Popsicle or craft sticks
• 1 package of soft caramels, unwrapped
• 2 tablespoons water
• Assorted toppings (crushed candy, cookies, chopped nuts, chocolate for drizzling)

Wash and dry apples, remove stems. Insert sticks into apple. Microwave caramel and water for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from microwave and immerse apples in caramel. Allow excess to drip off, and then roll in toppings. Place on parchment paper and refrigerate until cooled.
OPTIONAL: Drizzle with warmed white, milk or dark chocolate once apples have cooled.