Caramel Apples

My kids love caramel apples.  As soon as there is a hint of fall in the air they beg for them.  

The most important rule for caramel apples is preparation.  You need the apples room temperatures, washed, dried, and Popsicle sticks inserted BEFORE you make the caramel.

 Caramel Apples
Adapted from Carnival Caramel Apples

 Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
a dash of salt
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
10-12 Popsicle sticks
10-12 medium tart apples, prepped (I love Granny Smiths!)

Decorations like gummy worms, gummy bears, sprinkles, candy corn, peanuts, chocolate, etc (optional)

Prep your apples by washing and drying them, and inserting Popsicle sticks.  Make sure they are at room temperature or the caramel will not stick!

Mix the first four ingredients in a small saucepan.  Stir constantly on medium heat for about 10 minutes.  Stir in sweetened condensed milk and cook until it reaches 248 degrees or firm ball stage. Remove from heat and add the vanilla.   

 Now dip the apples one by one and swirl to cover them.

 Set to dry on a Silpat or on wax paper.  Now let your kids add decorations!

Enjoy!

Slow Cooked Apple Cider Pork

My roomate used to make us this recipe but with chicken.  You could use either meat.  I adapted it a bit to cook slowly so the pork would be more tender.

Apple Cider Pork

Ingedients:
1 Tbsp. olive oil
4 cloves garlic minced
1/2 of an onion chopped.
4 pork tender loins or pork chops
1 Granny Smith Apple peeled and diced
Enough apple juice or apple cider to cover pork (about 4 cups)
2 Tbsp. butter

Heat olive oil in a pan on medium heat and add pork chops a few at a time depending on the size of your pan.  I used my dutch oven and cook only cook two at a time.  Cook for 2 minutes on each side.  Place finished on a plate to the side until all are done.  Then in the same pan cook onion and apples until onion is translucent and apples are tender (about 3 minutes).  Then add garlic and cook for one minute.  Then put the pork chops back in the pan.  Pour on the apple juice until it covers all the meat.  Place a lid on your pot and cook on low for 1-2 hours until meat is tender.