What makes you reflect on the start of fall… perhaps… Pumpkins, corn mazes, apple picking, and warm filling food?? Autumn is my favorite season. I love all the colors of the trees and the crisp air. I love the memories of raking huge piles of leaves, then destroying the pile by jumping into them with the kids. I love the memories of getting all dressed up as ghosts, witches and pirates and hosting our Annual Halloween party that started in 1997. I love waking up in the morning and having the cool air to welcome you out of bed, those warm  wonderful covers. To me fall most of all means apples; I have trecked the kids for several years to the apple orchard and spent the day picking apple;  picnicking getting goofy then heading home to make apple pie. I wish I had more digital pictures but as us Older generation know we had “photos” I don’t have anything but what I have scanned.

The memories however are there and I know the children appreciate it.

This carried over to when my current Husband and I got together and continued for years.  I am excited to do this with our granddaughter once she is old enough to enjoy the tradition as much as her own father did.  So this week’s recipes are a way for me to go back in time to when the kids were younger and we had our special meals every winter. I have put a twist on some of them and this one is brand new.  Stephan took his first bite and asked what it was; I told him the ingredients and then asked if it was ok.  He turned to me with a smile and said it was fantastic.  AND you wonder why I like to cook new things! I hope you enjoy the recipe and take the leap and make it for your family. This was really easy and quit flavorful! About 10-15 minutes to put together and 20-25 to cook.

What you will need to feed 4

Sweet Sausage each sausage in case will fill one half apple

4 large Granny Smith apples (I was feeding three so I only had three)

1/4 C. panko bread crumbs

1/3 C. maple syrup

1/4 C. sweet onions… minced

1 egg… beaten

Salt and pepper to taste

Please note most sausage packages are six in each, as I said one package will make enough for three. So if need be you can get chicken or pork sausage bulk not cased.

Combine the sausage (casings removed) bread crumbs, sweet onion, syrup, and egg in a medium bowl and mix then set aside.

Cut the apples in half from top to bottom and remove the core and a bit of the interior (I used a melon ball scooper).

Fill each apple half with equal portions of the sausage mixture.

Bake the stuffed apples in a pre-heated oven at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until the sausage is cooked through.

Suggestions

Serve with sweet garlic smashed potatoes recipe below!

Sweet Garlic Smashed Potatoes

1 container red potatoes

1 small container sour cream

3 Tbsp. butter

2 cloves garlic… minced

3 tsp. maple syrup

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 the potatoes into cubes and add them to a pot of cold water. Place the pot over high heat and bring to a boil.

As soon as the potatoes become tender, usually around 8 minutes after the water begins to boil, drain them thoroughly, turn off the burner, and return them to the burner allowing any remaining water to cook off. Add the garlic, sour cream, butter and syrup; using a potato masher begin smashing the potatoes until you reach your desired consistency.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

The potatoes were a brilliant compliment to the apple and sausage.  I know it sounds odd to add sugar to the meal, but it is hot and sweet and savory all at the same time. It came out as a real sincere time machine to when you could eat for the taste and memories not for the carbs or calories! My opinion of course.

Tomorrow I have already started the Soft Taco Beef Carnitas; one of those meals you prepare ahead of time to cook for hours and hours lol.  I love this kind of recipe because I have a hair style appointment tomorrow after work and this can be thrown together very quickly once I get home.  (Have to think ahead of time)

Bon appétit

LauraLovingLife