Apple Apricot Ginger Buckle Food

APPLE BUCKLE

Steps:

• Apples: Peel, slice, and core apples; cut into ¼-inch slices. Heat skillet to medium and add butter to melt, followed by apples. Stir to coat apples with butter and cook, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle sugar on top of apples, then stir so sugar melts. When the sugar starts to melt, add the bourbon (optional) and bring it to a boil. Then remove from the heat and cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes. Use a a cake tester to check apples for softness.
• Streusel: Preheat oven to 375 F. In a medium bowl, add pecans, oats, brown sugar, flour, and salt; mix until thoroughly combined. Work in butter so the mixture becomes crumbly and the butter soaks up all the dry ingredients. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on low speed, 30 seconds. Scrape down the bowl and paddle, then continue mixing on medium until smooth and creamy, 30 more seconds. With the mixer on low, add egg and vanilla. In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. Then add half the flour mixture to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing just until combined; then add half of the milk. Repeat until all the flour and milk have been added. Turn the mixer off; scrape down the bowl and fold in the apple mixture by hand. Pour batter into a buttered springform pan, and add streusel in pieces on top. Bake for 30-40 minutes.
• Remove cake from oven and use a cake tester to check for doneness; it should come out dry. Remove the springform pan and slice.

GINGER APPLES

Steps:

• In large non-aluminum kettle, combine water and lemon juice. Peel and core apples; cut into eighths and place immediately into lemon water.
• Add sugar and ginger; bring mixture to boiling over high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Meanwhile, sterilize 2 quart or 4 pint jars and the necessary lids, and bands, according to manufacturer's directions. With slotted spoon, divide apples and ginger among sterilized jars. Fill with hot syrup leaving 1/2 inch space at top of jar. Wipe rims of jars to remove any syrup and seal with lids and bands.
• Process jars in boiling water bath for 20 minutes (both quarts or pints). Remove jars from water bath, tighten lids immediately, and set aside to cool completely. Label jars and store in cool, dry place

GINGERED APRICOT-APPLE CRUMBLE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients; set aside. Arrange apples in an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. , Combine flour, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom; stir into the apricot mixture. Spoon over apples. , Combine topping ingredients, adding pecans if desired; sprinkle over fruit. Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until topping is golden brown and fruit is tender.