Bring Home the Orchard

FUN ON THE FARM

Photo by Nathan Hulsey on Unsplash

Apple orchards are just the freaking cutest. Everything about them warms my soul and makes me smile. It had me thinking that this would be a fun trip to take with a group of friends. Who said these places are only for families and couples? ROAD TRIP! I can think of a million reasons why the gas money to the middle of nowhere will be worth it, i.e. Insta photo ops, hayrides, pumpkin patches, warm cider, etc., but most importantly...apples, apples and more apples! 

But let's get real, what are you going to do with 20lbs of apples? Probably throw a handful away. Instead bring the after party back to your place and actually put those apples to good use. Below are some trendy apple cocktails and treats that will definitely impress your friends and taste buds!

photo by mantitlement.com

     

 APPLE INFUSED COCKTAILS  

 APPLE BOURBON SLUSH

Yes, everyone knows that spiked apple cider is a go-to favorite, but what about something different that guests haven't had before like this Apple Bourbon Slush from mantitlement.com? It's super easy and will even appeal to your bourbon drinking friends.

1 oz caramel vodka
2 oz bourbon of choice
8 oz apple cider
Add a cup of ice and blend.
Garnish with a slice of apple drizzled with caramel sauce.

@cookie+kate

SPICED APPLE MARGARITA

Because I haven't completely given up on all of my summer favorites, i.e. margaritas, I wanted to add this fun cocktail from COOKIE + kate to the mix. It tastes a little more fallish but with that summer feel!

INGREDIENTS

Spiced apple margarita (per cocktail)

• 2 ounces reposado tequila
• 1 ½ to 2 ounces apple juice or cider
• ¾ ounce fresh lime juice (about 1 medium lime, juiced)
• 1 teaspoon honey simple syrup (recipe below) or ¾ teaspoon agave nectar
• Dash ground cinnamon

Honey simple syrup

• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup water

Cinnamon/sugar/salt rim blend and garnish

• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Lime wedges
• Optional garnish: 1 star of anise per drink

INSTRUCTIONS

1. First, prepare the honey simple syrup by combining the water and honey in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring frequently, just until the honey is dissolved in the water. Remove pan from heat and set aside.
2. Mix sugar, salt and cinnamon and spread on a saucer. Run a wedge of lime around the top of each drinking glass then roll the top of the glass through the cinnamon, sugar and salt blend. Fill the glasses with ice and set them aside.
3. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour tequila, apple juice or cider, lime juice, honey simple syrup and cinnamon into shaker. Shake well for 20-30 seconds. Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass(es) and add a star of anise if you’d like. Cheers!

Tasty Apple Treats

APPLES & BRIE

This is my go-to appetizer for when I have don't have a lot of time but want something decadent and beautiful. It's a little tart, a little sweet and a lot less time than guests will think!

INGREDIENTS

1 8 oz can of crescent rolls
1 8 oz Baby Brie Cheese
1 jar of Apricot preserves (or any flavor)
2 Granny Smith apples
1 package of Table Water Crackers
Sliced Almonds for garnish

Leave brie out for 20 minutes to bring to room temperature.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Unroll crescent rolls onto a cookie sheet. Removing the paper packaging, place brie in the center of crescent rolls. Add as much of the preserves to the top of the brie as you prefer. (I typically use 3 large spoonfuls). Wrap the crescent rolls around the brie and preserves concealing the entire brie. Pinch together any parts of the roll that are not covering the cheese. Bake for 11- 3 minutes or until golden brown and center of brie has been fully melted. Garnish with leftover preserves and sliced almonds. Serve with thinly sliced Granny Smith apples, crackers and/or toasted bread.

IRON SKILLET APPLE PIE

This recipe is brought to you by my Mom, who can take an okay recipe and turn it into something that you could serve in a restaurant. And this one takes the cake...I mean pie. 

1 stick, plus 1 TBS butter
1 c brown sugar (can be cut in half)
1 c white sugar (can be cut in half)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
4 c Granny Smith Apples peeled and chopped into small pieces
1 box refrigerator piecrust

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large iron skillet, melt 1 stick of butter and brown sugar together (do NOT caramelize, simply melt). Cover with pie crust; add apples, 3/4 C white sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cover with top crust that has been slit in 3-4 places or a design of your choice. Sprinkle top with remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and small dots of remaining TBS of butter. Bake 30-45 minutes or until crust is brown and apples are tender. 

Serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!

Tomato, Bacon, Apple Jam Crostinis

Photo by Mariana Medvedeva on Unsplash

Yum. Yum. And more Yum. Garnish with Lemon blogged about this recipe and it is to die for. This savory appetizer will offset the sweetness of our above listed cocktails.

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• 1/2 pound applewood smoked bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled into pieces
• 1 (28oz) can petite diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 c sugar
• 1 tart cooking apple (such as Granny Smith), cored, peeled and diced
• 1 small sweet onion, diced
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 11/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 French baguette, cut into thin slices and toasted (around 30 pieces)
• 4-6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
•  Chopped fresh chives for garnish
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1. Place the bacon, tomatoes, sugar, apple, onion, vinegar, salt and pepper in a large pot or saucepan. Bring to a boil using medium heat and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring often. The jam will be done when the apples are soft and the majority of the liquid has been reduced. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.
2. Place toasted bread slices on a serving tray. Evenly divide jam, feta cheese and chives among crostini. 

*Bonus tips: To prevent apples from browning, soak in a bowl of lemon juice and water.  

Show us how you Bring Home the Orchard and tag us @thersvpproject!