Happy Monday! What a weekend we had…  to say it was a busy weekend would be an understatement but it was so much fun.  Saturday started with a visit to the house, three truck loads of junk to the dump, checking out the temporary driveway (woo hoo!), followed by a “PEI Spud Run for children”.  We entered both turkeys (our kids) as part of the Marathon Weekend.  It was a good time despite the weather which was very cold and rainy.

On to the Food

Earlier in the week we finally made it to the apple orchard.  It was a a great time where the kids loved it and the weather was very nice.  We came home with a big bag of cooking apples (Cortland) and eating apples (MacIntosh).

Here are a couple of shots in the orchard followed by a killer apple pie – compliments of Mama Zesty’s super pie crust recipe.

Topped with some homemade whip cream or even just plain Vanilla ice cream – a great dessert.  Actually I had a slice of this for breakfast…. Do you think that is a bad thing?

Ingredients

• 6 Apples ( Peeled and Sliced)
• 1 1/2 Cups Flour
• 3/4 Cup Butter
• Pinch of Salt
• 1/2 Cup Water
• 1 Tbsp. White Sugar
• 1 Tsp. Nutmeg

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 425 Degrees and Pre grease your pie plate (this one was a 10 inch)
2. In a large mixing bowl add the flour, butter and salt then cut in together.  Once cut in, add the water slowly mixing with a fork.  Do not over mix and do not make it too wet.
3. Cut the dough into two equal parts and then roll out fairly thin.
4. Place the bottom layer of the dough in the pie plate.
5. Add sliced apples sugar and nutmeg ( sprinkled on top.  Add the top crust and cut three steam holes in the middle.  Once the top is in place, use a fork to crimp the edges of the pie to ensure it doesn’t come apart.
6. Brush some milk on the top crust and bake for about 20-30 minutes until golden brown.
7. Remove from heat and let cool.



8. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: The big tip here is not to over work the dough.  If you want a flaky crust, keep your paws off as much as possible.  Just add enough water to combine the flour butter mixture and that is it – otherwise it will be stocky and hard to roll out.

On to the Race

As I mentioned on Friday, Mrs. Zesty was running in a half marathon this weekend.  A few people were sending her well wishes and asked for an update so I thought I would fulfill the request.  Overall the weather was nice but it was fairly cool with a stiff breeze.  Janet did extremely well.  Her time was 2:13.46.  I am super proud of her! Me, the kids along with the in-laws provided support every step of the way (via car).  Great Job J!  Mrs. Zesty is below on the right!

Here is a shot of Zesty Jr. and Mrs. Zesty at the Spud Run on Saturday.

Well that was a post somewhat all over the map but I hope you enjoyed it and have a great Monday.  I will be back in the morning for another riveting write up.

Take care

zesty

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty

Oh my goodness it is Friday.  Last evening was spent at the house prepping and cleaning all the outside walls of saw dust and wood shavings.  Why you might ask?  Well because the spray foam insulation team is arriving today at 8:30 am and will be raring to go… I hope!

It only took a few hours to somewhat tidy up and make all the corners accessible.  I am going back first thing this morning to ensure I didn’t miss any spots as it was kind of dark and my light burnt out.

To take us into the weekend….. I have a special treat brewing in the oven.  How about a walnut decadent brownie?  I thought you might like that.  This is super easy to make and also very simple create gluten free.

Below is the  recipe as well as my simple instructions to get this in the oven.  Get ready to enjoy.  I also had a chance to try some new vanilla that was sent to me from the fine folks at Shining Dog Vanilla.  This is Pure Vanilla Extract made from certified organic vanilla beans.  It contains no added sugar or fructose. and is quite delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 Cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 6 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 4 Large eggs
• 2 Cups sugar
• 1 Tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 Tsp. salt
• 1/2 Cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 Cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Method

1. Preheat oven to 325°. Lightly butter 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
2. Melt butter and chocolate in a heavy medium saucepan over low heat, stirring until chocolate mixture is smooth. Cool.
3. Using mixer, beat eggs and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in chocolate mixture, vanilla and salt.
5. Add flour; beat just until blended and then toss in the walnuts.
6. Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing top.
7. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean ( 30-35 minutes )
8. Remove and let cool.



9. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: If you do not have chocolate you can always substitute and use cocoa.  You may find that the brownie will be slightly more bitter and less smooth as well.

So I am pretty pleased it is Friday.  We are planning an apple picking day tomorrow if the weather is suitable.  The weather has been terrible the last week so hopefully it is decent for a day in the orchard.  I am sure if we make it there – there will be some apple recipes coming your way.

Ohhhhhh I almost forgot.  Today is the deadline for the POM Tea giveaway.  Be sure to enter.  Have a great weekend.

Take care

zesty

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty

Saturday past was slated as family day in the orchard! We had a blast. The weather was really nice, sun shining, birds chirping and apples a plenty. I don’t often attend the apple orchard events but I must say that I was impressed. The focus at this particular orchard were Cortland and McIntosh Apples. It was somewhat crowded in the parking aisles but the orchard was so big – it felt like you were picking by yourselves.  The following days will likely contain many more apple baked goodness and I may even try the apple crisp version from a while ago.

A quick shot in the orchard…

Just getting a closer look at all the apples in the tree… Can you tell that I don’t come to the orchard very often?

Checking out the Cortland up close…

The finished product… Not too mention we had 47 lb. in total we just threw some in a basket to make the picture look good!

When we got home from the orchard I wanted to whip up a quick snack for everyone and test out these apples (even though I knew they were tasty because i inhaled two at the orchard). I came up with some of my favorite ways to eat an apple besides the old fashion way of washing it off and chomping in.

Below are three quick ways to prepare apples that are usually fan favorites with the younger crowd:

1. Apple Peanut Butter

2. Apple Brown Sugar

3. Apple Chocolate

Thank you so much for reading about my apple orchard day.  Now because I am super curious about almost everything.  I want to know what everyone loves on their apples?

Happy Thanksgiving to all fellow Canadians!!  Enjoy the turkey!

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty