apples Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

Everything You Need to Know About Apple Varieties Now

Paula — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 12:43:41 +0000

Post may contain affiliate links. Purchases made via qualifying links mean I make a small commission. Apples, or Pyrus malus, are a member of the rose family. Bet you didn’t know that! They have been cultivated for over 3,000 years and appeared on the menus of the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians. A cool weather fruit, the availability of all types of apples has expanded to year-round as they are now grown in southern hemisphere countries like New Zealand and Chile where the seasons are opposite to those in North America. In Ontario apples are readily available and fresh at the tail end of summer and most of the Fall months. Happily though we can eat them all year round here and they are typically pretty fresh and tasty. How to Buy All Types of Apples Select apples that are firm, without blemishes, wrinkles or bruises. Apples will not ripen if picked prematurely but mature apples will ripen further at home. How to Store Apples To hasten the ripening process, punch holes in a brown paper bag and store apples inside at room temperature. The ethylene gas they emit also causes other fruits to ripen quickly, so store apples separately. Refrigerated apples will keep much longer – up to several weeks – stored in plastic in the crisper drawer. A Dab of Lemon Juice Wash all apple varieties just before using or eating them. Core an apple before removing the skin – it is easier to handle. Exposed apple flesh turns brown quickly, so sprinkle with lemon juice to slow this process. If you are a Mom and you chop apples up into wedges for your kid’s lunches, this may help your apple slices stay fresh looking. That matters to kids who eat with their eyes and then their tastebuds. Kids are often fussy after all. Apple Nutrition Apples are a good source of Vitamin C and fibre. One average apple contains about 80 calories. So don’t skimp on eating apples. They are always a good choice and one of the first things I buy at the grocery store every single week. Best Types of Apples for Eating Though taste is subjective, these types of apples are the most popular types for eating fresh out of hand. Choices are listed alphabetically under each category. First choices: Baldwin, Granny Smith, Jonathan, McIntosh, Stayman Second choices: Empire, Fuji, Gala, Third choices: Golden Delicious, Russet, Spartan Have you ever been to an apple orchard? Take some time in September to go visit a local apple orchard near you. Here’s one of our favourite apple recipes which we made after visiting Apple Land. Best Varieties of Apples for Pies These varieties of apples hold their shape when exposed to high heat better than other apples and their flesh doesn’t turn mushy. Best Types of Apples for Baking These types are well-suited to making whole baked apples. Best Apple Varieties for Apple Sauce I love making apple sauce here. So easy. Toss the apples in the crockpot and let it simmer all day. Add a little bit of brown sugar or cinnamon. And Granny Smith is our all time favourite apple. But they are often so expensive. Best to wait until these are in season. Granny Smith, Northern Spy, Rome What are the Best Types of Apple Varieties for Salads and Fruit Plates? Best choices: Baldwin, Cortland, Granny Smith, Red Delicious The raw flesh on these apples resists browning better than other varieties. Best Types of Apple for Cider Have you ever made your own cider? I prefer to buy it because we don’t drink it too often. However, fresh, homemade cider is best and we have made it here. The smell alone is worth the effort. Your kitchen will smell like cinnamon and fall for days. Baldwin, McIntosh, Northern Spy, Russet are some common varieties of apples around here in Ontario. Easy Recipe for Cinnamon Red Wine Poached Apples Make this simple and elegant fall or winter recipe using Granny Smith, Northern Spy or Rome apples. Northern Spy apples are versatile and Granny Smith apples have that little scrumptious hint of sour. That’s why I love those. In Praise of Apples and ALL the Apple Varieties Apples can be so versatile and healthy too. It’s worth gathering numerous recipes this time of year so that you can use them in as many ways possible. What’s your favourite apple recipe? Have you been to an apple orchard recently?

The post Everything You Need to Know About Apple Varieties Now appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

October Colouring Page

Paula — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 23:48:50 +0000

Well hello there October 1st! Not even sure how that happened. The thing about October is that once October arrives you certainly can’t argue that it’s Fall. Signs of Fall are everywhere. Leaves are changing and my neighbourhood is ablaze with gorgeous maple trees in burnt oranges and reds. I have a couple of trees holding out still. If you or your kids are like me at all then perhaps welcoming October with this October Colouring Page printable will help to remember and transition to a new month. It’s fourth quarter here and the end of year and holiday season is fast approaching. Sometimes you need a little reminder to slow it down and this might be just the ticket. By the way if you are a Fall leaves fan check out this Fun Leaf Crafts and Activities idea. There are a few other related posts featuring seasonal crafts and recipes too. Last year at this time apples were big and we even made an apple pandowdy for the first time ever after visiting a corn maze and apple orchard near us. Our Favourite Apple Recipes Last year we gathered together 31 of our favourite apple recipes from around the blogosphere and published them here for all of you to read and make. 31 Amazing and Appetizing Apple Recipes. More apple recipes are located under the Food section tab above. If you need inspiration check out my Food and Cooking Pinterest Board. It has some excellent and scrumptious recipes you will love. Don’t forget to visit my Free Printables Pinterest board for more fun printables. Right now you will want to pin this Halloween word search to do when the kids are contemplating their eleventh choice for a Halloween costume. Do yours do that? I rarely buy or make Halloween costumes super early because ever since the age of five or so they have done this thing where they change their minds about 10 times before October 31st which is super fun! NOT. There’s a colouring page for every month of the year so far. Here’s the one for this month. october_colouring_page If you are searching for Halloween costume ideas here are some thoughts. Halloween is one of my favourite events this season and of course there’s still plenty of time to get outdoors and have fun too. How to Print and Colour This October Colouring Page: If you wish to download the image above you can simply right click of the link above and it will download for you. Then feel free to print it out for your personal use. Please do not reprint on your own blog. This is for your enjoyment only. Share with friends and family and have fun!

The post October Colouring Page appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

Apple Pandowdy – Farm Fresh Favourites #BornOnTheFarm

Paula — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 14:14:37 +0000

Truth be told, there’s very little I like about Fall. I am a summer gal. Summer is my happy space. Swimming and road tripping and beaches and sunny afternoons working in my outdoor office bring me JOY. Fall means back to routine and sweaters and colder temperatures. Brrr. But there are a few small pleasures even I can find in the Fall months. Apple picking. Pumpkin anything. Corn mazes, Squash. Oh and maybe Fall Boots. Fall means it’s time to get the slow cooker fired up again, because it will be on constant rotation here. It’s also time to bake again. Fall fan, or summer lover like me, your seasonal allegiance doesn’t matter when it comes to Fall harvest season. Fresh apples, pumpkins, squash and corn. YUM! This summer we were busy. We had the usual summer road trips and adventures. My one daughter was in a musical that took up a big chunk of our time with rehearsals and tech and dress and two solid weeks of performances. So fun was condensed between performances, at least until after the first long weekend in August. After a last minute stay in a Yurt near Wasaga Beach we called summer a wrap and came home to prepare for school. Every Fall when my kids were small we would head to a local apple orchard to spend an afternoon picking apples, checking out the animals in their small farm, riding the adorable train ride, and hunting for pumpkins. When my youngest was little she would eat more apples than she bagged. Straight from the trees. Doesn’t get fresher than that. Last year I was preparing for a fellowship in Zambia at this time and apple picking didn’t happen. This summer our travels have been closer to home, through Ontario and Quebec. Local love and farm fresh are both themes that resonate with me these days. For one, the older I get the more joy I find in small things. A fresh apple is pretty close to perfection in my books. In Ontario, we are rich in farm fresh apples, peaches, pears, corn, squash, soy beans and pumpkins. Local food and farm fresh food often means less travel time, less carbon impact on the environment. That matters to me and to my family. [clickToTweet tweet=”Have you ever made apple pandowdy? #BornonTheFarm” quote=”Have you ever made apple pandowdy? #BornonTheFarm”] Gay Lea has a local farm fresh story to tell too. Gay Lea is a dairy products cooperative that started in 1958 and is owned by dairy farmers. Their products are born on the farm and only available in Ontario and that’s what sets them apart. After my younger daughter had her binders bought for back to school and her backpack ready to go, we drove to Apple Land for the afternoon to search out apples for a recipe I had in mind. Lately she’s showing an interest and eye for photography so she came prepared with her selfie stick and I let her shoot with my Sony camera. She’s also been torturing me with talk of Apple Pandowdy. More about that in a minute. The corn maze at the farm preoccupied us for at least an hour. There are separate rooms and clues and a Minion theme this year. And there are a couple of new new varieties of apples including – Zestars – which are not quite ready yet. I might have snuck one anyways. Together we enjoyed spending a late summer, almost Fall day, getting inspired by our surroundings. So, back to the Apple Pandowdy. This summer the musical Ainsley was in featured a joke in which apple pandowdy, or apple pan dowdy, (you can spell it either way) was sort of the punchline. So several days after the musical closed I heard her talking about apple pandowdy. I think one of us, or maybe two, said: “What even is that?” So we did what we always do and we googled it. Then we went to the apple orchard, talked to some of the farm staff, gathered the supplies and came home to bake some. Apple Pandowdy is like a cross between apple cobbler and apple pie. It's a bit messy but pretty scrumptious too Apple Pandowdy is More than a Punchline: Did you know Apple Pandowdy is mentioned in this old song Shoe Fly Pie and Apple Pandowdy? It’s true. One of the cashiers working at Apple Land almost broke into song when Ainsley asked her if she had ever made apple pandowdy. Apple pandowdy is just one of the amazing ways you can bake with fresh apples this Fall. This Apple Pandowdy recipe relies on a lot of butter measured out carefully. That’s why I chose the Gay Lea butter sticks. Gay Lea is a butter you can trust, because it’s made from only one ingredient – cream. And only in Ontario. What’s your favourite Fall fruit or vegetable? I created this post as a paid ambassador with Gay Lea Foods and PTPA for 2017. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful. I only work with brands I love and use.

The post Apple Pandowdy – Farm Fresh Favourites #BornOnTheFarm appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

31 Amazing and Appetizing Apple Recipes

Paula — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 07:03:06 +0000

Apples are a family favourite any time of the year. It’s rare that we ever have a fridge empty of apples. In fact, usually quite the opposite. I buy them by the bucket it seems. Five pounds of apples go quickly here. But on the odd occasion when they do not vanish as soon as they are placed into our fridge, then I like to have a few apple recipes and treats to be able to pick from. I love the way apples add flavour to any simple recipe or dessert, plus they are a great source of vitamin C and fiber. We believe what they say about an apple a day keeping the doctor away and so apples are a mainstay here. If ever I have some extra apples, then I cook a delicious pie, tart, or often I love to make crockpot apple sauce too. There’s nothing like apples and cinnamon to make the whole house smell wonderful and cozy too. This is why I gathered 31 mouth-watering Apple Recipes that highlight their unique character, and will add more diversity to your dishes. Choose one of these apple recipes for brunch, main course, dinner or dessert. You will love all of them and you won’t be short on ideas any time soon. Keep them from going to waste and start cooking a healthy dessert for your family. 31 Amazing Apple Recipes 1. Caramel Apple Cupcakes http://www.3boysunprocessed.com/caramel-apple-cupcakes/ 2. Apple Cinnamon Crepes http://www.cookwithmanali.com/apple-cinnamon-crepes/ 3. Cranberry Apple Tart http://1bigbite.com/2012/11/cranberry-apple-tart/ 4. Apple Pie with Cinnamon Pecan Streusel http://blissfulbasil.com/2014/10/08/raw-vegan-apple-pie-with-cinnamon-pecan-streusel/ 5. Maple Curry Brussels Sprouts Butternut Squash Apples http://www.emilieeats.com/maple-curry-roasted-brussels-sprouts-butternut-squash-apples/ 6. Apple Salad Recipe with Honey Apple Dressing http://jessicainthekitchen.com/apple-salad-recipe-with-honey-apple-dressing/ 7. Five Minute Pineapple Fantasy Pie http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2015/08/20/5-minute-pineapple-fantasy-pie/ 8. Caramel Apple Millet Walnut Breakfast Cupcakes http://www.thepkpway.com/caramel-apple-millet-walnut-breakfast-cupcakes/ 9. Paleo Apple Cinnamon Bread http://www.bakerita.com/paleo-apple-cinnamon-bread/ 10. New Mom Meal http://www.coffeeandcrumbs.net/blog/2015/10/23/new-mom-meal 11. Apple Pie Cake Recipe http://www.amomstake.com/2014/03/apple-pie-cake-recipe/ 12. Rustic Apple Caramel Hot Cross Buns http://crumbkitchen.com/2016/03/18/rustic-apple-caramel-hot-cross-buns/ 13. Cinnamon Apple Rings http://www.foodrecipesonline.info/cinnamon-apple-rings/ 14. Sweet Potato Hash http://www.paleorunningmomma.com/sweet-potato-hash-paleo-whole30/ 15. Green Apple Cucumber Smoothie http://www.curiousnut.com/green-apple-cucumber-smoothie/ 16. Guilt-free Caramel Baked Apples http://www.onroot.com/guilt-free-caramel-baked-apples/ 17. Caramel Apple Cake Roll http://hungryhappenings.com/2015/09/caramel-apple-cake-roll.html/ 18. Lazy Apple Pie http://balkanlunchbox.com/lazy-apple-pie-lijena-pita-od-jabuka/ 19. Apple Enchiladas http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2013/09/12/apple-enchiladas/ 20. Mini Fruit Pies Recipe http://millionmoments.net/2016/03/mini-fruit-pies-recipe.html 21. Apple and Blueberry Frangipane Tart http://clairekcreations.com/2013/04/apple-and-blueberry-frangipane-tart/ 22. Nutter Butter Dip with Apples http://taketwotapas.com/2016/03/03/nutter-butter-dip-with-apples/ 23. Apple Cider Baked Donuts http://www.frombraziltoyou.org/apple-cider-baked-donuts-maple-glaze/ 24. Apple Upside Down Cake http://cremerose.blogspot.de/2016/03/apple-upside-down-cake.html 25. Apple and Cinnamon Oats http://clairekcreations.com/2013/05/apple-and-cinnamon-oats/ 26. Cinnamon Apple Pancakes http://amyshealthybaking.com/blog/2016/03/15/cinnamon-apple-pancakes/ 27. No Bake Apple Pie Cheesecake http://hungryhappenings.com/2013/09/apple-pie-cheesecake-no-bake-dessert.html/ 28. Vegan Butternut Squash Apple Soup http://jessicainthekitchen.com/vegan-butternut-squash-apple-soup/ 29. Apple Crumb Cake http://www.bakerita.com/apple-crumb-cake/ 30. Apple Halwa http://www.cookwithmanali.com/apple-halwa/ 31. Baked Apples Recipe http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2014/11/06/baked-apples-recipe/ [tweetthis]Find 31 of the best apple recipes ever here – > [/tweetthis] What’s your favourite of all the apple recipes? Have you ever made one of these tasty soups or treats before? Apple and butternut squash soup is divine. I made something similar here at our house before – apple cinnamon butternut squash soup. Of all of the apple recipes above number 18 is the one I am most excited to try!

The post 31 Amazing and Appetizing Apple Recipes appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

8 Delicious Apple Dessert Recipes

Paula — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 08:44:04 +0000

Everyone knows apple pie is one of the most loved Apple Dessert Recipes. But what else can you do with your ripe apples? How many different ways are there to cook or bake something tasty with this beloved fruit? Today, I just wanted to share eight new ways of my favourite Apple Dessert Recipes. What’s better than fresh apple picking on the farm in the fall months? Well, maybe cooking with those fresh apples after you pick them. I love apples – all kinds of apples. Happily my kids love them too. One of my favourite places to go every single fall is the apple orchard where we pick our own (always trying to not get stung by wasps) and then ride a trolly around the orchard hunting down pumpkins too. My kids could eat apples just as they are for months on end. They are best when they are fresh of course. The thing about you pick places and apple orchards though is that when you pick twenty pounds of apples, it’s inevitable that a few will start to get a bit riper than you intended. So what do you do with the extra ripe ones? It’s a no brainer to me. There are dozens of great apple dessert recipes out there and apples when cooked are just magnificent. I gathered eight of my favourite Apple Dessert Recipes from around the internet and decided to share with you too. Some of our favourites are Granny Smiths. What is your favourite kind of apple? Apple Walnut Cake – Tastes of Lizzy T’s Caramel Upside Down Muffins – Leave No Leftovers Individual Apple Cobblers – Just us Four Cream Cheese Dulce De Leche Apple Pie – The Tiptoe Fairy Burbon Apple Cake – Joyful Scribblings Overnight Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread – This Silly Girl’s Life Irish Apple Cake – Kleinworth Co. Caramel Apple Crisp – Swanky Recipes

The post 8 Delicious Apple Dessert Recipes appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

Simple Halloween Party Games

Paula — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 16:03:00 +0000

With Halloween fast approaching, it is time to start thinking about all of your upcoming class parties, haunted houses and fun family events. This year if you are hosting or organizing a party for kids, these Simple Halloween Party Games are sure to come in handy. These classic fun games are perfect for your kids this Halloween. The following post is a guest post from Olfa at Our Kids Guide. Thanks to her for sharing these great ideas! 4 SIMPLE HALLOWEEN PARTY GAMES Bobbing For Apples: This classic has been around for what seems like forever. Simple, fun and easy to set up it is a game everyone will love. All you need is a tub filled with water and a few apples. Have kids hold their hands behind their backs and bend over to try to grab an apple with their mouth using only their teeth and not their hands. Pumpkin Carving Contest: This is great for older kids to do! Grab several smaller pumpkins, a carving kit or two and have the kids create their own custom Jack-O-Lanterns. Choose a judge from the adults or other kids to pick the winner! Pin The Nose On The Witch: Instead of the classic Pin the Tail On The Donkey, make a new fun game of similar origins. Print out a picture of a witch. Print an extra large picture of a witches nose. Cut out the nose and attach a push pin to it. Blindfold kids and spin them around three times. Point them in the direction of the witch and see who can get closest to the right place for the nose. Toilet Paper Mummy: Grab a few extra rolls of toilet paper and create teams of 3-4 people. One person on the team will be the Mummy. The others will be the designers of his/her mummy costume. Each team gets 1-2 rolls of toilet paper and must wrap their mummy as quickly as possible. Whoever gets done first with a completely wrapped mummy wins. It doesn’t take a lot of money or even time to create these simply Halloween party games for kids. Not only are these classics easy on you, the parent, the kids will have a blast with them too. You can embellish any of these games with unique things. Add other fruit or even other foods in the “bobbing” game. Give kids markers, paint or stickers to make their pumpkin really stand out. Dress up these games any way you want to make your kids party the hit of the neighborhood! About the author Olfa is the founder of MyKidsGuide where she loves sharing party games for kids as well as easy crafts.

The post Simple Halloween Party Games appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.