Fall always brings out the good in apples!!

That's the Spirit is one of our favorite websites for cocktailz and they have proven it again...we have some wonderful recipes coming up that compliment these libations...we publish as we go!!

APPLE HARVEST COCKTAILS

The orchards are overflowing, and these cool autumn days are the perfect time to offer your guests an apple based mixed drink. Apple Basics Grown in temperate zones throughout the world and cultivated for at least 3,000 years, apple varieties now number well into the thousands. Apples range in color from lemon yellow to bright yellow-green to crimson red. Their textures range from tender to crisp, their flavors from sweet to tart and from simple to complex. They're available year-round but are at their best from September through November when newly harvested. Buy firm, well-colored apples with a fresh (never musty) fragrance. The skins should be smooth and free of bruises and gouges. Store apples in a cool, dark place. They do well placed in a plastic bag and stored in the refrigerator. Liqueur/Schnapps The popularity of the Apple Martini has increased the availability of Apple Liqueur/Schnapps. These often "sour" flavored liqueurs can also be drunk over ice or used as shooters. But its most popular use remains as a key ingredient in one of the most searched recipe at thatstheSPIRIT.com - theApple Martini. Apple Cider.Apple cider was a highly popular early American beverage. Cider is made by pressing the juice from fruit (usually apples). It can be drunk straight or diluted with water. Before FERMENTATION, it's referred to as "sweet" cider. It becomes "hard" cider after fermentation, and can range widely in alcohol content. Apple cider is also used to make vinegar and brandy.  POPULAR Apple Cider recipesCanadian Stone Fence Mulled Cider Harvest Punch Jacks Apple Happy Apple Cider  Apple Brandy: There are two major types of Apple Brandy - Calvados and Applejack. CalvadosA dry apple BRANDY made in Calvados, in the Normandy region of northern France. It's often used for cooking, particularly in chicken, pork and veal dishes. A potent BRANDY made from apple cider and ranging in strength from 80 to 100 PROOF. Calvados Recipes:Grand Apple Liberty Canadian Apple ApplejackMade in New England this apple brandy is double distilled in pot stills, and is aged for a minimum of two years in wooden casks before being bottled. Applejack recipes:Apple Cart Apple Swizzle Applejack sour Big Apple Applejack Punch HINT:These two types of apple Brandy are similar (in fact many would not notice a difference in the two) so feel free to use either type in any of the recipes. Some recipes just call for Apple Brandy but either type can be used with these recipes. Apple Fizz Apple Knocker Apple Daiquiri Apple Sidecar  Apple liqueur is also found in a perfect Halloween sounding Cocktail - theCaramel Apple, or as an alternative to desert in the Apple Pie. For more Halloween Cocktail ideas and a party guide click here. and speaking of Halloween: from cooking with SPIRIT Caramel Apples> and for more on cider CIDER RULES> Caramel Apple Dip 1 stick butter 1 cup light brown sugar 1/2 cup white corn syrup 1 can Eagle Brand™ sweetened condensed milk Preparation - Melt the butter in a saucepan overlow heat. Add the brown sugar, corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk. Raise the heat to medium high. Bring to low boil stirring constantly. Lower the heat to medium and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Cool to room temperature, stir and serve with apple wedges. Store any unused dip in the refrigerator. Microwave a few seconds to soften before using, if necessary. New England Apple-Nut Stuffing From Good Housekeeping This is the only dish that Editorial Assistant Catheryn Keegan's father, Robert, makes, and he's been doing it so well for the past 30 years that it's become a custom to have it at all family holiday gatherings, especially Thanksgiving. Thanks, Mr. Keegan, for sharing your stuffing secret! Be the first to rate this recipe RecipeReviewsOther Versions Save this recipe Add ingredients to my shopping list Submit your version Nutritional Information (per serving) Calories 200 Total Fat -- Saturated Fat -- Cholesterol -- Sodium -- Total Carbohydrate -- Dietary Fiber -- Sugars -- Protein -- Calcium -- Brian Hagiwara Yields: About 12 cups Total Time: 1 hr 30 min Cook Time: 45 min Oven Temp: 325 Ingredients U.S. Metric Conversion chart 1/2 cup(s) (1 stick) margarine or butter 3 large celery stalks, diced 1 large onion, chopped 3 medium (about 1 pound) Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and diced 1 1/2 loaf(s) (16 ounces each) firm white bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes and lightly toasted 1 can(s) (14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth 1/2 cup(s) pecans, toasted and chopped 1/2 cup(s) walnuts, toasted and chopped 2 tablespoon(s) sesame seeds, toasted 1/2 teaspoon(s) poultry seasoning 1/4 teaspoon(s) dried oregano leaves 1/4 teaspoon(s) coarsely ground black pepper Directions In 12-inch skillet, melt margarine or butter over medium heat. Add celery and onion and cook 10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add apples and cook 5 minutes longer. In large bowl, combine celery mixture with toasted bread cubes and remaining ingredients; toss to mix well. Spoon stuffing into greased 13" by 9" glass baking dish; cover with foil and bake in preheated 325 degrees F. oven 45 minutes or until heated through. Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

Easy Autumn Apple Recipes

by Rachel Paxton

Fall is in the air! Fill your kitchen with the aroma of fresh baked apples. Here are some easy autumn apple recipes that your family is sure to enjoy.

Apple Crisp 

4 c. sliced apples
1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. soft margarine or butter
2/3 c. brown sugar
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 c. flour
3/4 tsp. nutmeg

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place sliced apples in greased pan. Blend remaining ingredients until mix is crumbly. Spread over apples. Bake 30-35 min. (or until apples are tender) and topping is golden brown. Serve warm with cream, ice cream, or cool whip. Rhubarb, peaches, huckleberries, etc., may be used instead of apples.

Applemallow Bake

6 c. (6 medium) peeled and thinly sliced apples
3 c. miniature marshmallows
1/4 c. cinnamon candies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In ungreased 9x5 inch loaf pan or 1 qt. baking dish, mix apples, cinnamon candies, and 2 c. marshmallows. Top with remaining 1 c. marshmallows. Bake, uncovered, for 45-50 min. until apples are tender. Serve hot.


Apple Cake

4 c. fresh apples (diced)
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
1 c. chopped nuts
2 c. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 c. sugar
2 well-beaten eggs
2 tsp. baking soda

Mix apples and sugar thoroughly. Add vegetable oil, nuts, eggs and vanilla. Mix and add flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Bake in greased 9x13 pan for 1 hr. or until shrinks from edges of pan. Serve plain, iced, or with cool whip.