O is for Old Fashioned

This delicious, classic cocktail has a twist: crisp apple cider added to the mix, creating an Apple Cider Old Fashioned.  Cheers!!

O is for Old Fashioned.......

F is for Fondue

Gruyere Cheese and Apple Cider combine to make a wonderful warm dip.  A perfect start to any meal, or a wonderful snack or light dinner.

F is for Fondue........

Apple Cider Biscuits #BreadBakers

These delicious biscuits use apple cider as the liquid ingredient and include a sprinkle of cinnamon.  What a wonderful combination.  I will be making these again and serving them with Ice Cream and Fried Apples for dessert!!

It's time for Bread Bakers.......

C is for Cider Glazed Chicken Wings

These Cider Glazed Wings will be a great addition to your appetizer buffet if you are hosting a Super Bowl party, bringing a dish to a potluck, or just enjoying the game by yourself at home.

C is for Chicken and Cider......

Cheers to Fall; an Apple Cider Martini

 The last couple of gatherings we have had, we have started the night off with a wonderful fall cocktail. 

It has been a big hit with all who have tried it.  The tartness of the apple cider, flavored with Grand Marnier and a little Maple Syrup is a wonderful combination.

Cider Glazed Rotisserie Chicken and a Sampling of Hard Ciders #WorldWineTravel

I was fortunate enough to recieve some samples of hard cider from across the pond courtesy of Winesellers, Ltd.  These samples were provided for tasting purposes only.  I received no monetary compensation for this post.  All opinions are strictly my own.

Welcome to World Wine Travel..................

Apple Cider Brined Chicken #CooktheBooks

This chicken spends the night in an apple cider brine and then is brushed with an apple cider glaze during the final stages of roasting.  It is juicy, tender and delicious but most importantly of all it is easy peasy!!

I was inspired to make this roast chicken after enjoying our Cook the Books selection.....

Chicken Normandy for the Final Day of #AppleWeek

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #AppleWeek . I received complimentary product from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the #AppleWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

Chicken pieces cooked to a golden brown and then nestled in apples and onions and braised in an apple cider sauce.  Can you say YUM!!

Today is the final day of Apple Week, I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I..........

Braised Chicken with Apples #AppleWeek

This post is sponsored on behalf of #appleweek. Our generous sponsors, Swiss Diamond, Envy Apples, Imperial Sugar, Nordic Ware, Rodelle Vanilla, Flahavan's Irish Oatmeal, Nairn's and The Spice House have provided us with products for recipe creation and a giveaway for our readers. As always, all opinions are my own.

Chunks of apples and chicken pieces braised in apple brandy and apple cider creates a dish full of the flavors of the season.

Welcome to Day 5 of Apple Week.........

Braised Pork Roast with Apples, Sweet Potatoes and Parsnips #AppleWeek

Welcome to Day 3 of Apple Week.  I hope you have been having as much fun as I, perusing all the amazing recipes being offered.  My stomach starts growling just thinking about it.

If this is your first day joining us in this celebration you need to go to my Welcome Post.  There you will learn all about this great party being hosted by Carlee of Cooking with Carlee.  You will also meet our sponsors and be able to enter into an amazing giveaway.

That very first day I shared these moist and delicious muffins that are great to have on hand now that school is back into full swing.  Sometimes the mornings can get away from you and these tasty morsels are perfect to hand your child as they are running out the door saying they don't have time to eat.

Yesterday we enjoyed some tasty apple turnovers that were inspired by the book, Farmer Boy, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  In fact, we are going to enjoy them again tonight for dessert after this fabulous pork roast I'm sharing today.

This recipe transforms an inexpensive pork shoulder roast into a masterpiece.  Filled with garlic and sage and browned before braising imparting great flavor into the meat itself.

I had received a pair of clip n snip shears from Casabella , one of our sponsors for this event.  They quickly and efficiently chopped the sage for insertion into the roast along with the garlic slices.  

This pork roast screams autumn to me.  Slow braised until tender, flavorful and juicy.  Surrounded by veggies and whole apples it is an elegant presentation.

The photos do not do it justice but trust me when I say your family and any guests you may have over will be duly impressed.  Our friend, Chris, joined us for dinner when I served this and exclaimed "Wow, this is a restaurant worthy presentation".

Did you know that we are in the midst of Family Meals Month?  It's true.  You can learn more about it over at the Food Marketing Institute.  This would be a great meal with which to lure your family around the table during this time.

I served this over buttered egg noodles but mashed potatoes would also make a great side or if you are watching your starch intake it is perfect just as is but I'm afraid, at the very least, I would still need some good bread to sop up that delicious sauce.

This recipe was very slightly adapted from one I found in Cuisine at Home.  I received no monetary compensation for the writing of this post and all opinions written are exclusively mine.  I hope you enjoy this wonderful dinner as much as we.  I was very proud to serve it to our guest.

Disclaimer: Thank you to #AppleWeek Sponsors: Rodelle, Dreamfarm, Casabella, Flahavan's Irish Oatmeal, Pryex, Chicago Cutlery, Rainier Fruit, and Veggie Wash for providing prizes for #AppleWeek free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #AppleWeek. All opinions are my own.

Braised Pork Roast

with Apples, Sweet Potatoes ad Parsnips

adapted from Cuisine at Home, Issue #79

1 pork shoulder roast
10 sage leaves, 3 set aside, remaining chopped
3 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
salt and pepper to taste
2 T. olive oil
9 small tart apples, 6 left whole and set aside, 3 cored, peeled and diced
1 lg. vidalia onion, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
1 T. tomato paste
1/4 c. flour
1 c. dry white wine
2 c. apple cider
3 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
2 parsnips, peeled and diced

Trim exterior fat from the roast and tie with twine by wrapping it around the roast, crossing the twine and bringing it around the roast in the other direction.

Pat pork dry and cut 1" deep slits all over the roast.  Combine the chopped sage leaves with the salt and pepper.  Insert a slice of garlic and some of the seasoned sage into each of the slits.

Heat the oil in a large dutch oven over med high heat.  Add the pork and sear until browned, about 10 minutes per side.  Remove the roast to a plate and set aside.

Add the chopped apples, onion and celery to the dutch oven and cook in the pan drippings until onion softens, stirring frequently.  Stir in tomato paste and then mix in the flour.  Pour in the wine and cook, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.  Add the cider and reserved sage, bring to a boil.  Return the roast and any collected juices to the pot, cover and place in a preheated 325*oven for 2 hours.

Remove the pot from the oven and transfer the roast to a plate.  Strain the sauce from the dutch oven into a large bowl, discarding the apples, onions and sage leaves.  Return the strained sauce to the dutch oven along with the roast and any juices collected.  Cover, return to oven and braise another 1-1 1/2 hrs.

While roast is braising prepare the apples by scoring them around the middle.  Peel and dice the sweet potatoes and parsnips.  Add the apples and vegetables to the pot with the roast, cover and cook for another 30-45 minutes, until the pork and veggies are fork tender.

Transfer the apples, vegetables and pork to a large shallow bowl or platter with raised edges.  Remove twine and break the meat into pieces with a fork.  Pour the sauce over the meat and veggies and serve.  Print Recipe

Let's see what the others are sharing today!

• Apple BBQ Meatballs over Brown Rice from Tip Garden 
• Apple Butterscotch Crumb Cake from The Crumby Kitchen 
• Apple Cider Donuts from 4 Sons 'R' Us 
• Apple Coffee Cake from Bear & Bug Eats 
• Apple & Fig Flatbread with Goat Cheese from Simple and Savory 
• Apple Oatmeal Bars from Palatable Pastime 
• Apple Oatmeal Breakfast Bars from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Apple & Sausage Stuffing from Girl Abroad 
• Apple Pie with Oat Crumble Crust from The Redhead Baker 
• Baked Oatmeal with Apple Cheddar and Sausagefrom A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures 
• Braised Pork Roast with Apples from A Day in the Life on the Farm 
• Caramelized Apple Hand Pies from Jolene's Recipe Journal 
• Caramel Frosted Apple Quick Bread from The Chef Next Door 
• Cheesy Apple and Brie Pull Apart Bread from Family Around the Table 
• Crunchy Apple BBQ Pork from The Freshman Cook 
• Easy Fried Apples With Cinnamon from Feeding Big 
• Fresh and Fun Dinner Salad from Cooking With Carlee 
• Lamb Lolipops with Apple Herb Chutney from Culinary Adventures with Camilla 
• Roasted Beet and Apple Salad from Amy's Cooking Adventures 
• Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Onions from Grumpy's Honeybunch 
• Slow Cooker Baked Apples from Jonesin' for Taste 
• Sweet and Sauer Apple Cabbage Salad from All That's Jas 

Cheers!!!! We are celebrating #AppleWeek.

Welcome to Apple Week, where Ellen of Family Around the Table and Carlee of  Cooking with Carlee, have invited several of us to post our favorite apple recipes according to a theme chosen for each day.

Today is Monday so we are celebrating with Drinks and Appetizers.  It's like a potluck and each of us has brought either a drink or an app to share.  You will find all of our goodies at the bottom of this post.  But the fun doesn't stop here....we are going all week long!!  Here are our themes for each day.

• Monday- Appetizers and Drinks
• Tuesday- Mains and Sides
• Wednesday- Sweets
• Thursday- Decorations, Crafts or Projects
• Friday-Anything Apple 

You can see that it is going to be a great party.  You are going to want to scroll to the bottom of each post where you will find links to the others who are joining in the fun. I will be here each and every day but I won't be posting on Thursday as we are in the process of moving and I have already packed up all of my craft supplies.

I have recently gotten a Vitamix for my birthday and my first thought was to make homemade apple juice but what the heck kinda party is that!!!  I'll save it for when my Angel Face comes to visit.  So I went to my bartender extraordinaire, who also happens to be my husband, and asked him to create me an apple drink that did not contain apple schnapps or apple liqour of any sort because I think it tastes fake and it makes me gag.  

So when we were out for a drive one day we stopped by the cider mill and picked up some cider, apples and donuts.....yes I know they are not on my eating plan....but they had just come out of the fryer and were still warm!!! They were shaken in cinnamon sugar and smelled so delicious.  We broke open the box the minute we got in the car.  I controlled myself and only had one but it was very difficult.....believe you me!

Frank created these while I was making dinner.  While dinner was simmering on the stove he handed me one as a pre-dinner cocktail.  Well....it is very decadent and sweet.....much better suited for an after dinner dessert so that is what we did.  Into the refrigerator it went and it was a perfect ending for a nice meal.

Caramel Apple Martini

created by Frank

3 jiggers apple cider

2 jiggers caramel vodka

ice

caramel syrup

cinnamon sugar

apple slices

Rim two glasses with caramel and then dip into cinnamon sugar. Place the cider and vodka into a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well to chill and combine.  Pour into prepared glasses and garnish with an apple slice.  

Print Recipe

Monday: Appetizers and Drinks

• Apple Brie Roll Up  by Family Around the Table
• Apple Cider Margaritas by A Palatable Pastime
• Apple Cheddar Pinwheels by Cooking With Carlee 
• Apple Pie Martini by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Apple Pie Smoothie by Feeding Big
• Hot Fireball Apple Cider by Grumpy's Honeybunch
• Caramel Apple Float by Jolene's Recipe Journal 
• Caramel Apple Martini by A Day in the Life on the Farm 
• Caramel Appletini by The Speckled Palate 
• Crockpot Apple Sauce by I Say Nomato 
• Hot and Boozy Caramel Apple Cider by Love My Messy Messy Mess 
• Mulled Apple Shrub Mule by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures 
• Red Hot Apple Cider by New South Charm
• Roasted Apple and Acorn Squash Soup by Caroline's Cooking 
• Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks

Tuesday: Main Dishes and Sides

• Apple Cheddar Grilled Cheese by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Apple Cider Bread by I Say Nomato 
• Apple-Glazed Pork Chops with Raisins by Love My Messy Messy Mess
• Apple Streusel Muffins by Family Around The Table
• Chicken Salad with Apples and Cranberries by Feeding Big
• Chopped Apple Salad by A Day in the Life on the Farm 
• Fall Apples Become Yummy Applesauce for the Year by Crafty Mama in ME 
• Harvest Brats with Apple Slaw by Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
• Sausage Stuffed Apples by A Palatable Pastime 
• Sage Pork Chops with Apple Pan Gravy by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Scalloped Apples Casserole by Red Cottage Chronicles 
• Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork by Cooking With Carlee
• Southern Style Fried Apples by New South Charm

Wednesday: Sweet Treats

• Apple and Nut Drop Cookies by A Day in the Life on the Farm 
• Apple Brown Betty by Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
• Apple Cider Caramel Sauce by Cooking With Carlee 
• Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bread by Feeding Big 
• Apple Dumplings by A Palatable Pastime
• Apple Oatmeal Cookies by Jolene's Recipe Journal 
• Apple Pie & Cinnamon Things by Crafty Mama in ME 
• Apple Pie in a Jar by Grumpy's Honeybunch 
• Apple Swirl Buns by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Baked Apples with Chocolate and Caramel by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks 
• Brown Butter Apples by Cricket's Confections 
• Mini Apple Pie with Cheddar Crust by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Nana's Apple Pie by The Crumby Cupcake 
• Sparkling Cider Pound Cake by Family Around The Table

Thursday: Apple Projects

• Apple Bacon Jam by Caroline's Cooking
• Apple Cinnamon Pancake Mix in a Jar by A Palatable Pastime
• Apple Cinnamon Stovetop Potpourri by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Apple Suncatchers by Crafty Mama in ME
• Caramel Apple in a Jar by Family Around The Table
• Homemade Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Packets by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Knit Apple Hat by Jolene's Recipe Journal

Friday: Anything Apple Goes

• 1 Minute Caramel Apple Dip by Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
• Apple Brown Betty by A Palatable Pastime
• Apple Bundt Cake With Cider Caramel by Cooking With Carlee 
• Apple Cinnamon Shortcakes by Jolene's Recipe Journal
• Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks 
• Apple Fritters by Grumpy's Honeybunch
• Apple Pie Skillet by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Caramelized Apple and Bacon Jam Crostini by Caroline's Cooking
• Creamy Peanut Butter Apple Dip by New South Charm 
• Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Apple and Peppered Bacon by Feeding Big
• Individual Apple Crisp by Family Around The Table 
• Smoky Apple Pulled Pork by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Slow Cooker Apple Butter by The Crumby Cupcake