Orchard Fresh

A few apple-delicious facts: Two pounds of apples make an excellent 9" pie. Apples are fat, sodium and cholesterol free. It takes an apple three four to five years to produce its first fruits - no wonder they taste so great! ********************************* A bowl of beautiful red, yellow, and green apples will enhance your home with color, aroma and a delicate appearance. Run a pretty fall ribbon through the bowl or basket that contains your apples or even tie a pretty raffia ribbon at the base. Apples in bushels outside on steps, porches, decks, etc. add a nice "atmosphere" of fall to your decor. Dried apples strung on a tree give a treat to our fine feathered friends as wel as a festive look to an area. Intertwine with dried oranges, cranberries, dried berries, and you have an autumn garland. ****************************** Dippin'apples: 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese 1 cup brown sugar, packed 1/2 cup chopped dry roasted peanuts (optional) 1 tsp. vanilla Cream all ingredients together. Serve with crisp apple slices. Caramel apples the easy way! *** A great way to grace your table with apples: Cut top off an apple. Scoop out inside, leaving 1/4" thick shell. With pointed sharp knife, mark petal shapes; cut along markings. Brush cut edges with lemon juice to prevent browning. Fill with a fruit salad, ice ceram, or lettuce salad, also rice or corn. A very nice addition! ********* Pan-fried apple slices: 2 red cooking apples, cored 2 tbs. butter, softened 1/2 cup apple jelly Cut apples into 1/2" thick wedges. In a pan over medium heat, in hot butter, cook apple wedges about 7-9 mins. or until apples are crisp-tender. With a pancake turner, turn wedges once during cooking. Stir in apple jelly; heat through. Serve with baked ham or with pancakes. ***** All-time favorite - a fresh from the oven piece of your favorite apple pie - with our without that scoop of vanilla ice cream. Ah! the beauty of life. ENJOY!