Cuisine: Apples

Apple Cider Risotto with Bacon and Butternut Squash

This Apple Cider Risotto with Bacon and Butternut Squash is the epitome of fall. The sweet butternut squash marries perfectly with tart granny smith apple and the bacon drippings coat the rice, which gives it a smokey flavor. Half the roasted butternut and apple mixture gets puréed and stirred into the risotto (the other half is reserved for topping). Finally, a hefty amount of Parmesan and a little butter at the end are stirred in for even more umami and to make the risotto nicely glossy and extra creamy. The dish is finished with the reserved chunks of roasted squash and apple, and the crumbled crisp bacon, making it a perfect, savory-sweet, and comforting fall meal.

By Leslie Blythe

Maple-and-Bacon Fall Chopped Salad

This Maple-and-Bacon Fall Chopped Salad is a hearty autumnal dish. It’s sweet, salty, savory, and crunchy. This salad is a perfect side dish for a fall dinner or a light lunch. It's also a great way to use up seasonal produce and enjoy the flavors of autumn.

By Leslie Blythe

Apple Cheddar Salad with Chicken, Bacon, Walnuts and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Apple Cheddar Salad with Chicken, Bacon, Walnuts, and Balsamic Vinaigrette is a delicious and hearty salad that is perfect for a fall meal. It is made with a variety of flavors and textures, including sweet apples, sharp cheddar cheese, savory chicken and bacon, and crunchy walnuts. The balsamic vinaigrette dressing ties all of the flavors together perfectly.

By Leslie Blythe

Rosemary-Brined Pork Chops with Apples and Potatoes

After finishing all 3 seasons of The Lost Kitchen, I am a little obsessed with Erin French. I suppose my love for Maine also fueled the fire. I know this is a rather autumnal recipe, but I made Rosemary-Brined Pork Chops with Apples and Potatoes. By brining the meat for 24 to 36 hours, it insures these pork chops will be juicy and flavorful. This is served with sautéed apples, shallots, potatoes, and rosemary.

By Leslie Blythe

Apple Tart with Rosemary & Honey Syrup

This Apple Tart with Rosemary & Honey Syrup is easy to make with frozen store-bought puff pastry. The rosemary-infused honey drizzled on at the end really adds complexity to this simple tart.

By Leslie Blythe

Pan-Fried Giant Latke with Caramelized Apples and Sour Cream

I happen to love latkes, but making them is a process. This Pan-Fried Giant Latke with Caramelized Apples and Sour Cream is kind of cheating, but it works. You can serve it in slices. I left out the matzo meal. My method of squeezing the water out of the potatoes is using a potato ricer, which is one of my favorite kitchen tools. I also use it for spinach, canned artichoke hearts, etc and it make the best mashed potatoes.

By Leslie Blythe

Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash

Acorn Squash with Sausage, Peas & Onions is one of our favorite family recipes. This is a slight variation. Since Autumn has arrived, I made this Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash. It's a nod to Fall, which is rather illusive in Los Angeles.

By Leslie Blythe

Old-School Pork Chops with Apple and Sage

These Old-School Pork Chops with Apple and Sage is another Jamie Oliver recipe. The chops are finished off with a bit of Stilton cheese on top (you could also use blue cheese or gorgonzola), which elevates it to a whole new level.

By Leslie Blythe

Chopped Salad with Medjool Dates, Manchego & Farro

My husband had this Chopped Salad with Medjool Dates, Manchego & Farro salad at a restaurant called True Food Kitchen. You can add salmon to the top to make it more of a meal. I am in love with this salad, mainly because it has so many textures. It calls for Marcona almonds, but I used toasted slivered almonds instead.

Farro is a food composed of the grains of certain wheat species. Because it contains more fiber than other popular grains like rice or even quinoa, farro might have even more positive benefits when it comes to digestion and cardiovascular health. It's also exceptionally high in protein for a grain and supplies more than 10 different vitamins and minerals.

By Leslie Blythe

Creamy Polenta with Sautéed Apples, Mushrooms, & Calvados

This Creamy Polenta with Sautéed Apples, Mushrooms, & Calvados is a warm comforting dish for a chilly night.
Calvados is apple cider that has been distilled into Brandy, which highlights the sautéed apples and mushrooms.
Polenta is made from cornmeal and is gluten-free. However, if you’re making this for someone with Celiac disease, be sure that the polenta you buy is labeled “gluten-free” so that you can be sure there hasn’t been any cross-contamination with wheat.

By Leslie Blythe