Apple butter recipe

The Golden Delicious apples we picked at the apple farm were slightly under ripe so I decided to save some fresh for later and preserve the rest of them. I decided that apple butter made in slow cooker would be the easiest way to cook them. It took all day to make this but there is really little work involved, just cooking time.

So I am glad to share this recipe with you. I used ground cinnamon and cloves but you don't have to if you prefer non spiced apple butter. Here is what you need:

6 lbs organic apples, cored and chopped to about 3/4" pieces

1 cup white sugar

1 1/2 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)

1/4 teaspoon salt

Wash, core and chop your apples. Mix the seasonings, pour into apples and mix well.

Place the apples in a slow cooker, cover and cook on high for about an hour. Stir the apples and reduce heat to low. Cook an additional 8 hours, stirring occasionally. The mixture should become thick and brown. Use a hand blender to get a smooth texture and cook on low for additional hour.

Prepare your jars, wash and sterilize them. Spoon the hot mixture into the prepared jars, cover with a lid and turn them over on a clean kitchen towel. Let the jars cool and store them in the refrigerator.

Enjoy and please let me know how you like it!

Peaches are in season!

I went to a grocery store after my morning walk and as soon as I walked in I smell the fresh peach & nectarine's aroma. A perfect summertime smell!

White nectarines

So I bought some of these beautiful fruits and while we love to eat them fresh we still would like to treat ourselves with healthier dessert from time to time. I tried that cheesecake stuffed peaches recipe last year, it was so good that I think it might be a hit for this Fathers Day.

Cheesecake stuffed peach

The recipe was originally published in the August 2011 edition of Better Homes & Gardens magazine.

To make this you will need:

6 peaches, halved

1⁄4 cup butter, melted

3 tablespoons cinnamon sugar, purchased or combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

4 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Line a 15 x 10 x 1" baking pan with parchment paper; set aside.

Trim a very thin slice from the round side of each peach half so the halves will stand flat on the baking pan. Dip peach halves in melted butter to coat. Arrange peach halves, cut sides up, in prepared pan. Sprinkle cut sides of peaches with cinnamon-sugar; set aside. 

 In a medium mixing bowl beat cream cheese with a mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add sugar, egg yolk & vanilla. Beat until combined. Spoon cream cheese mixture into peach centers.

Bake, uncovered, about 30 minutes or until lightly browned & softened. Serve warm or at room temperature.

I sprinkled mine with powdered sugar:

Try it, I think you will like it!

Nectarines are in season!

Nectarines are in season here in Arizona!

They are sweet and fragrant, juicy and taste wonderful when just picked from the tree and still heated by the sun. They are full of vitamin C and low in fat, what else can you wish for an easy summer snack!

We have hundreds of them on our tree and we are canning them, freezing, making jam and nectarine juice. Next we will be making a nectarine pie ... if the birds, those little winged thieves will not get it first! :)

To be continued on rest of the garden...