Apple Rosette Frangipane Tart #AppleWeek #Sponsored

This post written by me on behalf of Imperial Sugar, a sponsor of #AppleWeek. 

Products for recipe development and review were provided; prizes were donated for the giveaway, 
and this page may contain affiliate links.

Phew! What a week! So many apples creations from the #AppleWeek crew. And many, many thanks to Carlee of Cooking with Carlee for organizing this fantastic event.

In case you are just finding this now, I posted several recipes through the event: Seared Steak with Envy-able Apples, Grilled Cheddar Cheese with Apples and Hatch Chile Hot Sauce, Baked Chai-Spiced Apple Chips, Apple Butter-Glazed Chicken Wings, Bulgogi-Inspired Oven Beef Jerky, and Gingered Apple Triffles. So much delicious fun.

Don't forget to check out the prizes and enter the giveaway on my kick-off post. And let's start with the final collection from the other bloggers...

Saturday Recipes

• Apple Bourbon Pork Tenderloin with Butternut Squash by Girl Abroad
• Apple Butter Cheesecake Tart by Soulfully Made
• Apple Cheesecake Breakfast Quesadillas by 4 Sons R Us
• Apple Cinnamon Cake by Kate's Recipe Box
• Apple Cider Spiced Donut Cake by Love and Confections
• Apple Cinnamon Oat Bars by Daily Dish Recipes
• Apple Crisp Breakfast Bowl by Shockingly Delicious  
• Apple Fennel and Beet Salad by A Day in the Life on the Farm 
• Apple Hand Pies with an Oatmeal Crust by The Freshman Cook
• Apple Nachos by Jolene's Recipe Journal 
• Apple Peanut Butter Ebelskivers by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Apple Tortas Fritas (Argentinean Fry Bread with Apples) by Palatable Pastime
• Apple Oatmeal Pancakes by Simple and Savory
• Apple Rosette Frangipane Tart by Culinary Adventures With Camilla
• Applesauce Oatmeal Bread With Vanilla Honey Butter by Cooking With Carlee
• Caramel-Stuffed Apple Butter Snickerdoodles by The Redhead Baker
• Chicken Salad with Apples, Cranberries, and Pecans by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Cinnamon Apple Iced Oatmeal Cookies by Jonesin' For Taste
• Harvest Apple Cakelets with Maple Drizzle by Everyday Eileen
• Pink Peppercorn & Curry Leaf Chicken Salad by Faith, Hope, Love & Luck 
• Stuffed Apples with Cheddar and Sausage by Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Apple Rosette Frangipane Tart

This is one of those desserts that looks impressive while not being that difficult to create. I will admit that my rosettes aren't picture perfect, but they get the idea across...and they are tasty.

Ingredients

Tart Crust

• 1-1/2 C flour
• 1/2 C ground almonds
• 1/2 C powdered sugar (prefer Imperial Sugar)
• pinch of salt
• 3/4 C butter
• 2 to 3 T water
• 2 to 3 T vodka (use whatever alcohol you want - or more water)

Frangipane

• 1 C ground almonds
• 1/4 C granulated sugar (prefer Imperial Sugar)
• 1/4 C powdered sugar (prefer Imperial Sugar)
• 2/3 C melted butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 t pure vanilla extract
• 1 t pure almond extract

Rosettes

• 4 apples, thinly sliced
• 1/4 C honey
• sugar for garnish, if you like

Procedure

Tart Crust

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix the flour, ground almonds, powdered sugar, and salt together; rub in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

Alternatively stir in water and vodka, if using, until the mixture forms a ball. Roll out between two pieces of parchment paper. Press gently into a tart pan. Prick crust with a fork to prevent bubbling. Bake for 20 minutes at 350, or until a light golden brown. In the meantime, make the frangipane.

Frangipane

Mix everything together to form a paste. Once the tart crust is cooked, spread a layer of frangipane over the bottom. Bake for 20 minutes. While the frangipane is baking, prepare your rosettes.

Rosettes

Thinly slice the apples with a mandolin slicer.

Lay the slices in a row and roll them to form rosettes. Press the apple flowers into the partially baked frangipane. Repeat until the pan is full. Drizzle with honey and return to the oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool for 15 to 20 minutes before removing the tart from the mold.

Remove tart from the pan. Sprinkle with some sugar for "sparkle", if you like. Slice and serve.

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*Disclosure: I received products for recipe development and generating social media traction. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the manufacturers of this product or the organizers of #AppleWeek.

Crispy Tortilla Bean Soup #PrettySimpleCooking

Excerpted from A Couple Cooks | Pretty Simple Cooking: 100 Delicious Vegetarian Recipes to Make You Fall in Love with Real Food by Sonja Overhiser and Alex Overhiser. Copyright © 2018. Available from Da Capo Lifelong Books, an imprint of Perseus Books, LLC, a subsidiary of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

It's soup season! And the weather definitely took a turn towards the chilly side as soon as September 21st arrived. Funny how that works. Just yesterday I went to work with a scarf and boots! Okay, no comment on the lack of make-up, please. Moisturizer with sunscreen is about all that I manage most days. This is just to show you that Fall has hit on the central coast of California.

So, as we head into Fall - and Sonja and Alex have launched their monthly Pretty Simple Cooking Club - I was excited by their pick of Chipotle Black Bean Soup that appears on pg. 175 of their cookbook A Couple Cooks - Pretty Simple Cooking: 100 Delicious Vegetarian Recipes to Make You Fall in Love with Real Food by Sonja and Alex Overhiser.*

I already made a Pretty Simple Greek Salad. Hopefully I'll have time this week to try the Creamy Vegan Potato Chowder (pg. 180) and Cherry Almond Breakfast Cereal (pg. 22). We'll see.

Before I get to the recipe, I have to share a funny story. A few bites in, this was our discussion...

D: Mom, I am going to offer you a sandwich critique.

C: I didn't make any sandwiches.

D: No, I am going to give you a critique sandwiched between two compliments. Okay? Ready?

C: Ready.

So, he liked the variety of beans I used (compliment). He thought it needed more corn kernels (critique). And he liked all of the toppings I offered (compliment). That's not too bad.

So, my version isn't as quick and easy as using canned beans, canned tomatoes, and frozen corn. But in the sense that the Overhisers are urging people to fall in love with real food, I think this version of the recipe fits the bill.

I loved that I got to use beans from Rancho Gordo, peppers from High Ground Organics, and tomatoes from Serendipity Farms...all local-to-me favorites.

Best of all, though, the Enthusiastic Kitchen Elf plucked some fresh oregano from his garden for me. And I am so excited to make my own crispy tortilla strips. I know it's silly, but I've never done that before and it was a revelation.

Ingredients serves 10

• 12 corn tortillas
• olive oil
• salt for sprinkling
• 1 organic onion, peeled and diced
• 1 C diced peppers (I used three smaller organic peppers)
• 2 to 3 organic tomatoes, diced
• 4 to 5 cloves garlic, peeled and pressed
• 2 T fresh oregano
• 1 t ground cumin
• 1 T smoked paprika
• 1 pound beans, soaked and pre-cooked (results in approximately 4 to 5 cups, I used half and half Domingo Rojo and Scarlet Runner beans)
• 2 ears corn, husked and kernels cut from cob
• 6 C vegetable broth
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 ripe avocados, diced for garnish
• lime, for serving (I used calamansi, a Filipino lime)
• fresh cilantro for garnish

Procedure

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cut the tortillas in half, then slice into 1/2" wide strips. Place them in a mixing bowl.

Toss to coat with olive oil and turn out onto a parchment or silicone mat-lined baking sheet. Spinkle with salt and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until browned and crispy. Set aside.

In a large souppot or Dutch oven, heat a splash of oil. Stir in the onions and peppers. Cook until the onions are softened and beginning to turn translucent, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the garlic and stir to coat with oil. Season with cumin, paprika, and oregano. Add in tomatoes and cook until they have lost their shape, approximately 8 to 10 minutes.

Add in the beans and corn kernels. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 20 to 30 minutes - until the broth has thickened slightly.

To serve, ladle soup into individual bowls. garnish with crisped tortilla strips, cubes of avocado, fresh cilantro, and a slice or two of lime or calamansi.

I'm not sure I'll get to the other #PrettySimpleCooking club picks for September. But I will jump back in with the October recipes soon. 

Oh, and for fun, I paired it with a Kölsch-style beer from local-to-me Discretion Brewing. Cheers!

*This blog currently has a partnership with Amazon.com in their affiliate program, which gives me a small percentage of sales if you buy a product through a link on my blog. It doesn't cost you anything more. If you are uncomfortable with this, feel free to go directly to Amazon.com and search for the item of your choice.

A Fall Tradition: Picking Apples and Pears

Yesterday my mom invited us to join her for apple picking at her friend's property. Apple picking has been a Fall tradition since the boys were little. I'm thinking those apples in his hands might be about the same size...just twelve years' difference.

 

And I found this picture from a 2007 apple pie-making session. I was a little surprised that I have a 3-year-old a knife. Hmmm...

So, this year, one of my best friends and her two boys joined us.

We picked tons and tons of apples and pears! It was nice to share our tradition with them...

And we're looking forward to sharing an apple pie with them this weekend. They worked hard for those fruits.

Do you have a family tradition of going apple picking this season? 

What's your favorite apple recipe?

Gingered Apple Trifles #AppleWeek #Sponsored

This post written by me on behalf of Nairn's, Rodelle Vanilla, and Swiss Diamond, 
sponsors of #AppleWeek. Products for recipe development and review were provided; 
prizes were donated for the giveaway, and this page may contain affiliate links.

What a week it has been! I hope you're enjoying the bushel of apple recipes that the #AppleWeek crew has going. And many, many thanks to Carlee of Cooking with Carlee for organizing this fantastic event.

Please be sure to check out my introduction post and enter the giveaway.

Friday Recipes

• Apple, Bacon and Caramelized Onion Pizza by Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
• Apple Bakewell Tart by Books n' Cooks
• Apple Cider Pulled Pork with Apple Slaw by Simple and Savory
• Apple Cinnamon Baklava by Kate's Recipe Box
• Apple Cream Pie with Oatmeal Crust by Savory Moments
• Easy Apple Crisp Pie with Oats by The Anthony Kitchen
• Apple Gingerbread Cakelets by The Monday Box
• Apple Oatmeal Muffins by House of Nash Eats
• Apple Pie Crepes by The Bitter Side of Sweet
• Apple Pie Moonshine by Cookaholic Wife
• Apple Snack Cake by Caroline's Cooking
• Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash by Palatable Pastime
• Baked Apple Donuts with Oatmeal Crumble Topping by Girl Abroad
• Baked Cinnamon Apple Doughnuts by Jonesin' For Taste
• Braised Chicken with Apples by A Day in the Life on the Farm 
• Buttery Apple Streusel Thumbprint Cookies by Faith, Hope, Love & Luck 
• Caramel Apple Stuffed Waffles by 4 Sons R Us
• Caramel Apple Cider Vodka Slush Cocktail by Everyday Eileen
• Caramel Drizzled Apple Pie Egg Rolls by The Freshman Cook
• Chai Apple Multigrain Pancakes by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Chai-Spiced Baked Apple Oatmeal by The Redhead Baker
• Crumbly Apple Cranberry Casserole by Who Needs a Cape
• Easy Apple Dumplings by Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
• Gingered Apple Trifles by Culinary Adventures With Camilla
• Individual Apple Croissant Bread Pudding by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Instant Pot Applesauce by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Marlborough Apple Custard Pie by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Maple Apple Crisp by Jolene's Recipe Journal 
• Overnight Apple Pie Steel Cut Oatmeal by Tip Garden
• Prairie Apple Crunch by Family Around the Table
• Ricotta Tart with Apples and Prosciutto by Cooking With Carlee
• Shaved Apple Salad by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Spiced Apple Cider Charlotte Cake by Love and Confections
• Vegan Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls by The Baking Fairy

Gingered Apple Trifles

This recipe, and variations of it, have long been a family favorite. Years ago I adapted from a traditional Norwegian recipe for an apple triffle, Tilslørte Bondepiker. For this post, I am featuring some of the sponsor products and ingredients from Nairn's, Rodelle Vanilla, and Swiss Diamond.* While I did use a mandolin slicer for the apples, I peeled them with my new Swiss Diamond paring knife...and it quickly replaced my previous paring knife in my knife block. Love it!

Ingredients

• 6 organic apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 2 to 3 T granulated sugar
• 3/4 C water
• ½ t vanilla extract (prefer Rodelle Vanilla)
• ½ t ground ginger
• ½ t ground cardamom
• 1 t ground cinnamon
• 8 cookies (I used gluten-free oat graham from Nairn's with candied ginger)
• ½ C heavy whipping cream

Procedure

In medium skillet, combine sliced apples, sugar, water, vanilla extract, ground ginger, ground cardamom, and ground cinnamon. Cover and cook till the apples are very soft.

Crumble 4 of the cookies into coarse crumbs. And whip the cream until soft peaks form.

To assemble: Place 1 to 2 T apple compote in the bottom of an individual serving dish or glass. Add 1 to 2 T whipped cream. Add 1 t cookie crumbles. Repeat layers until the dish is full. Garnish with a whole oat graham. Serve immediately.

Find the Sponsors

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Swiss Diamond

On the web, on Facebook, on Twitter

 On the web, on Facebook, on Twitter, on Instagram

*Disclosure: I received products for recipe development and generating social media traction. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the manufacturers of this product or the organizers of #AppleWeek.

Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan pie is a family favorite; in fact, my Enthusiastic Kitchen Elf makes a version all by himself. His Espresso Browned-Butter Pecan Pie is amazing. So, when we were planning a grueling, albeit short, hike last weekend, Jake asked what treats I was going to pack. I decided to make some pecan pie bars.

The bars were a hit up there...on top of the ridge! And it's a good thing I packed more than one per person! Somehow, though, I still didn't get to eat one. I'm not sure who ate three bars, but I can guess.

Ingredients

Crust

• 2 C flour
• 1/2 C powdered sugar
• 3/4 C butter
• pinch of salt
• 1 T cold water

Topping

• 3/4 C (1-1/2 sticks) butter
• 1/3 C honey
• 3/4 C organic dark brown sugar
• 5 T organic whipping cream
• 2 C pecan pieces
• 2 C chocolate chunks or chips

Procedure

Preheat oven to 350 F. Place flour, powdered sugar, and salt into a mixing bowl. Rub in butter till the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Stir in water until the mixture forms a ball.

Press the dough into a 9"x13" baking pan and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. In the meantime, make the topping. Melt the butter, honey, and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and, without stirring, cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in the cream and pecans.

Raise oven temperature to 375 degrees F. Spread chocolate over the crust, pour the topping over the melted chocolate, and bake for another 25 minutes.

Let cool completely. Cut into squares with a sharp knife dipped into very hot water.