It's Apple Season

A couple weekends ago, we enjoyed a perfect fall afternoon of apple picking, hayrides, great food, and friends at Quarry Hill Orchards in Berlin Heights, Ohio.

With plenty of sun-filled autumn days ahead, be sure to plan a visit to Quarry Hill or your favorite local orchard soon and stock up.

I'm always on the lookout for new apple recipes to make delicious use of our abundant supply of local apples.  Here are a few simple ones you might enjoy.


Grilled Apple, Cheese and Honey Sandwiches

2 slices of your favorite bread
3-4 slices of cheese, I prefer brie or sharp cheddar
1/2 apple, cored and thinly sliced
1 tsp honey
smoked turkey or ham (optional)

Top bread with cheddar and apple slices. Drizzle with honey. Add smoked turkey or ham if you prefer. Brush each slice of bread with olive oil and grill until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.


Apples in Cider

1 lb apples
brown sugar to taste
1 tbsp butter
apple cider
ice cream

Preheat oven to 350F. Peel, core and slice apples and put in to a buttered baking dish. Sprinkle with brown sugar to taste and dot with butter. Add enough cider to cover one third the height of the apples. Cover dish with aluminum foil or parchment and bake 20-30 minutes. Remove foil/parchment, baste apples with the cider and bake 5-10 minutes longer until apples are tender and golden brown. Serve with a scoop of vanilla or, my personal favorite, salty caramel ice cream.


Apple Slaw

1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp honey
2 cups cored, shredded red cabbage
2 apples, cored and diced
1/2 red onion
salt and pepper to taste

Whisk olive oil, mustard, lemon juice and honey together in a large salad bowl. Add cabbage, apples, and onion and toss together. Add salt and pepper to taste. Allow to chill for an hour, toss again and serve. 

Quarry Hill Orchards
8403 Mason Road
Berlin Heights, Ohio 44814
Open daily 9am-6pm through October and 9am-5pm November - December