Apples and Pears—Fall’s Flavors —Simply Delicious!

Adeline Olmer
Oct 13, 2022
3 min read

Fall’s arrival is announced by the display that happens when leaves change from green to the brilliant hues they turn before floating to the ground. As that occurs, apples and pears that have ripened to perfection are ready to be transformed into tasty delicacies with a little help from your kitchen skills.

Delicious as raw fruits are, they become succulent when heat is added allowing their juices, full of sugar, to caramelize. Pies commonly display their flavors. But there are lots of other possibilities: apple or pear cakes, crisps, tarts, strudel, and muffins.

Have you ever tried baked apples or poaching pears in red wine? They are both delightful. I’ve included the recipes below for you to discover for yourself how good they are.

BAKED APPLES

Serves: 4 Prep time: 15 minutes Total time: 1 hour Preheat oven to 375°

Ingredients 4 apples for baking, Mutsu, Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji (I always ask at the farmers market what they suggest) 3 tablespoons softened unsalted butter ¼ cup brown sugar ¼ cup chopped walnuts ¼ cup dried raisins or cranberries ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg ¾ cup warm water for baking

Directions

With a paring knife, cut around the apple core from the top about halfway down, leaving the bottom intact.
Use a spoon to remove the seeds.
In a bowl, combine all remaining ingredients, except the water, blend with a fork to combine.
Spoon the filling into the center of the apple.
Place apples in a baking dish.
Pour the water on the bottom.
Place in the oven for 40–45 minutes until the apple is cooked through.
Serve each apple, pouring a spoonful of juice over each.

POACHED PEARS IN WINE from Le Kitchen Cookbook: a Workbook (page 308)

This is a classic French dessert that takes full advantage of the fresh flavor of pears as well as the richness of local wines.

Serves: 8 Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 4 Anjou pears, select firm fruit 1½ cups red wine, choose a full-body wine such as Cabernet, Shiraz, or Merlot ¾ cups sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cinnamon stick 1 pint vanilla ice cream

Directions

Peel pears, cut in half, and core.
Combine wine, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in a deep pot. Bring to a simmer, add the pears, cook for 10 minutes.
Turn the pears over and continue cooking 10 minutes or until pears are tender when pierced with a knife.
With a slotted spoon, remove pears and cool.
Continue simmering wine until reduced by half and it becomes a syrup thick enough to coat a spoon.
Remove the spices.
Let the pears cool to room temperature.
Place half a pear into serving bowls, pour syrup over, and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

It's the perfect time to take advantage of this season’s fruits.

If you try these recipes, let me know in the comments. Did you make any changes?

Merci

This blog was previously posted in 2021

Here Is What's Happening

The cooking classes and the food and wine tasting are underway. I am busy cooking and planning and very excited about these events. See the schedule below.

To answer many of your questions, yes, I am working on creating virtual cooking classes for those of you that live too far away to attend in person. Thank you for asking, and makes me work a bit harder to get them done.

Here is what I'd like to know: what would you like to learn? I'll either blog about it or create a class, but you need to let me know. Merci -

OCTOBER 20TH - FLOUR-BASED SAUCES

Demo Style

Date: Thursday, October 20th

Time: 6-8 pm

Location: Albano Appliance

83 Westchester Ave.

Pound Ridge, NY 10576

Cost: $75.00

Space is Limited

OCTOBER. 15, 2022 - WINE AND FOOD TASTING "An evening with Chef and Cookbook author Adeline Olmer. Featuring an exquisite pairing of delicious French cuisine mixed with an incredible selection of handpicked wines." Date: Saturday, October 15, 2022

Price: $35.00 per person

Time: 6 - 8 pm

Location: King's Crown Wines & Spirits 45 Washington Ave,

Pleasantville, NY 10570