Cooking With Apples

HOUSTON – The Nutrition Mom, Stephanie Merchant shares easy recipes that are also good for you!

Apple Pie Parfait  
Serves 2 – 4
 
Apple Pie Filling Ingredients
2 medium red delicious apples, cored and peeled
8 Medjool dates, pitted and soaked in water 1 hour to soften, drained
2 tsp vanilla extract
 
Directions
Place all ingredients into your food processor and pulse until well combined (little chunky).  Set aside.
 
Crumble Crust Ingredients
2 cup walnuts
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp sea salt
 
Directions
Place all ingredients into your food processor and pulse until well combined (little chunky).
Layer crust followed by filling (repeat as desired) in a Mason Jar, parfait glass or bowl.  

Optional - can top with whipped cream 
 
Butternut Squash Apple Soup
Serves 4 

Ingredients 
2 Tbsp olive oil
½ cup diced onion
6 cups butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced into 1 inch cubes
1 cup Gala apple peeled, cored, and sliced 
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp ground black pepper
4 cups chicken stock or water

Directions
In a large pot heat oil
Add onions, cook until soft
Add squash, apple, cinnamon, salt, and pepper and cook for 10 minutes
Pour stock into pot and bring mixture to a boil
Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes
In a vitamix/blender, puree soup in very small batches for safety
Serve, optional top with pumpkin seeds
 
Dehydrated Apple Chips 
Core desired amount of Fuji apples (peel as well, if that is your preference)
Use a mandoline to slice apples thinly and evenly
Optional - Dust apples with cinnamon
Place in a dehydrator overnight at 115 degrees