Apple Day

On September 28 swissfruit is organizing the 15th apple day. I never knew that the Swiss eat approximately 18 kg of apples per person, per year. They sure love their apples!!

Kochtopf, famed for her World Bread Day event, (which is happening on 16th October) is spreading the word. This event is impromptu, however most people have the odd apple or two in their fruit bowl or pantry, so why not join in. Post about a dish with apples as the star ingredient.
Send an email to kochtopf(at)gmail(dot)com including

- your name
- your blog's name and your blog's URL
- the recipe name and the post's URL
- your hometown/region and country

Submissions have now been extended to Sunday 30th September, so get those peelers (however the skins contain the best source of nutrients) and corers out of the gadget draw and lets show how we can keep the Doctor away for good! The health benefits of eating apples are extraordinary. The phytochemicals (which act as antioxidants) found in apples help:

• Reduce cancer of liver, colon, lung and prostate
• Reduce the risk of heart disease
  
• Reduce cholesterol
• Age related memory loss
• Increase lung function and also decrease lung disease, including asthma
• Decrease the risk of strokes - to name just a few.
  

I chose a Tuscan Apple Cake as my submission. This is a delicious sweet, served with a dollop of whipped cream...Hmmmm...maybe not the right choice to keep the Doctor away, but apples help reduce cholesterol, right? Just remember, all food is good if eaten in moderation. This dessert will test your willpower somewhat.

The apples in this dessert are Golden Delicious apples, my favourite when they are in season. I remember as a child, our family driving to an orchard nearby, and picking boxes of crisp and juicy Golden Delicious apples. The juice would run down to your elbows with each loud crunch. They're great for eating, and their high sugar content means they hold their shape when cooked, so are ideal for pies, cakes and Tuscan Apple Cakes!

Ingredients (serves 6)

• 6 thick slices woodfired bread, crusts removed, cut into cubes
• 1 cup (250ml) milk
• 3 eggs
• 90g caster sugar
• 3 tbs (1/4 cup) plain flour
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbs unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (250ml) thin cream
• 2 golden delicious apples, peeled, sliced
• Icing sugar, to dust

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C and lightly grease a 24cm springform cake pan with a tightly fitting base, or grease and line the base of a regular 24cm round cake pan.
2. Place bread in a shallow container, pour over milk and soak for 30 minutes.
3. Place eggs, sugar, flour, vanilla and butter in a bowl and use a hand whisk to combine. Slowly add cream, beating well.
4. Squeeze bread, discarding milk. Place in cake pan, pressing down well. Lay apple over top in a circular pattern. Pour over egg mixture and leave to soak for 10 minutes.
5. Bake for 50 minutes until golden and cooked but still moist. Cool slightly in pan. Dust with icing sugar.
6. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.

Happy apple day everyone

A total of 59 amazing apple recipes can be found here in the roundup

Well done Zorra, great job!