Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Homemade Apple Leather

I have been making this apple leather for a few weeks now, and as fast as I make it, it seems to disappear! It takes a few tries to perfect it, but is well worth the effort. Apples are fresh and plentiful!



1 pound of apples(about 4 large), peeled and cored and cut up
1/4 cup water
Put water and apples in pot and cover, cook till soft, stirring occasionally.
Pour into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Should measure out to 2 cups of apple puree.
Add 1/4 honey (or sugar) and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon. Stir well.
Pour into a 9 by 15 cookie sheet that has been lined with saran wrap and even spread to edges.
Bake in a warm oven, about 150 degrees, near centre or top of oven. Leave in oven overnight.
It is done when it is no longer soft to the touch.
Leave on plastic wrap and roll up, rewrap in more plastic wrap or a plastic bag, and keep in the fridge, or freeze.
Now, here are a few suggestions from me.
1. To spread in a large cookie sheet(9 by 18 or whatever it is), do about 3 cups of puree, still adding 1/4 cup honey, but you could increase the cinnamon if you want to.
2. Make sure you spread the puree very evenly...it is worth working at it for a time....even right to the edges. I also fold in the edges of the plastic wrap a bit...or use parchment paper cut to fit the pan exactly. Then when done peel apple leather off the paper and put on saran and roll.
3. Put in the oven at the lowest temp you can...probably is 150 degrees...about 9 or 10 pm and the first person up in the morning turns off the oven, leaving it in the oven. Feel it with your fingers, peel off plastic a bit and check back side. If it is still "wet", remove from plastic and put back in oven for a short time.
This apple leather is so very good. I have made it several times and it has gotten better each time. I like to make it on the thicker side and just dry it longer. You can also make strawberry leather, just by pureeing the berries and adding the honey. Apples are a little cheaper to use!
I know you will love it!





Monday, October 1, 2007

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Here's something very delectable and different for Thanksgiving! My friend Darla first made this.

Oven 350.

Dough
1/2 cup butter softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 cup flour

Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and stir in flour. Press dough into 9X13 pan. Bake 15-20 minutes ot until just brown. Remove and cool completely. Reduce oven to 325.

Cheesecake filling
500 grams cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 large pinch of salt

Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs; stir in spices, pumpkin and salt. Spread pumpkin on crust. Bake 25 min. or until firm. Cool completley.
Topping
3/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 tbsp. sugar

1 oz. semisweet chocolate (melted)

Mix topping and spread. Drizzle choclate.