This week, my foodspiration has been the apple.
A symbol of eternal youth and fertility, they were used among the pre-Christian religions as a declaration of love. Now of course, we think of them as a reference for sin. Ah religious symbology… don’t get me started on that.
Personally I adore them. Sweet or tart they’re crisp and fresh and so very very versatile. I used to love scrumping for them as a child and have fond memories of lying prone in the branches of a gnarly tree with a stomach ache from eating far too many of them. And like Che Guevara, I don’t intend to cause a revolution by waiting for the apple to fall.
Step one: The Salad
I will never know where this preconception of a salad being something boring that has to be suffered for the sake of one’s health comes from. There is absolutely nothing boring about the mystical union of cinnamon and apple to contrast with crumbling feta and juicy carrot in this absolutely divine salad.
Step two: The indulgent snack
Beetroot has a very earthy flavour, so the sweetness of apple really tempers this. A fritter is sort of like a savoury donut, so I think the unctuous, cheese centre oozing from the middle of my beetroot, apple and cheddar fritters gives this a lovely parallel, and really puts the sin into snack.
Step three: The Soup
Soup, ah soup. Where would we be without soup? Whether using up leftovers or celebrating your favourite ingredients, there is nothing like a soup to warm the cockles of your heart. Cheddar and apple are a perfect combination – whether it’s a slice of cheese with apple pie or a ploughman’s lunch, my cheddar & apple soup is mouthwatering.
Step four: The side dish
OK, ok I know that I have a problem. I am hopelessly addicted to mashed potato but will resist all attempts to force me into some sort of miserable 12 step program. As far as I’m concerned, mashed potato is the David Bowie of side dishes, and this cheeky apple & parsnip mash is perfect with roasted piggy things.
Step five: The Pasta
Cannelloni is one of my favourite kinds of pasta. That baked marvel that turns cheese both crispy and molten and really infuses the flavours underneath, mmmm. There’s nothing like it. This pork & apple cannelloni is such a fabulous alternative to the common spinach and ricotta or bolognaise fillings that you may be tiring of.
Step six: The pudding
Second only to my devotion to the mashed potato, my favourite ingredient happens to be lavender. From glazed meats and vegetables to just about every baked good you can think of, there is simply nothing that lavender can not improve. Apple & lavender crumble has such a seductive flavour, so if ever you want to declare your love to someone… say it with pudding.
So there you have it. How to be innovative with apple in six stages! If you want to try more apple recipes, go to Everything Goes With Toast.