Ich Liebe Dich

Ich liebe dich means "I love you" in German.  Love has so many meanings and means of expression.  How do you express your deep love for someone?  Is it by touch, by words, by service, by action?  One of the ways I express my love for those in my life is through food, specifically making foods for them.  I slather them with my love by cooking or baking their favorite treats or meals or even better, by trying something new and delicious looking as a surprise.  I never feel more comfortable or loving than when I'm creating something in the kitchen.  It's as if all my creativity and love can combine to make something that shows the special people in my life what they mean to me.  Recently we had my friend Stacy and her husband Matt. along with their adorable daughter Brooklyn over for dinner. Words can't begin to express how much I love these three people.  Having them at the table with my husband and boys makes my heart sing for joy.  I made a German meal and I wanted to finish it off with a German dessert.  I wanted simple ingredients and a simple method.  I've found that simplicity can often shout love far more clearly than complex words, phrases or flavors.  I think it worked.  I think my family, which includes Stacy, Matt & Brooklyn, felt my love for them that night.  I certainly hope so. 

Here's a simple way to tell someone or several someones you love them tonight.  Ich liebe dich!

German Apple Pudding Cake 

Ingredients:

• 4 apples, peeled and sliced (also would be good with peaches or pears & cranberries!)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 ts[. ground ginger
• 1/8/ tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 - 3 tsp. butter
• 2 cups boiling water

Method:

• Preheat oven to 400° F.
• Mix together the sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger & nutmeg.

• Add the apple slices and mix until coated with the flour mixture.

• Add the milk that has been mixed with the vanilla.
• Stir until everything has been moistened.  Pour into 9X9 baking dish & smooth out the top. 

• Put on rack in oven and carefully pour the 2 cups of boiling water over the top. DO NOT STIR.  
• Bake for 40 minutes or until top is golden brown.
• Let cool slightly before serving. Sprinkle extra cinnamon or slivered almonds on top if desired.
• Great with vanilla ice cream or whip cream!!!

Click here for printable recipe

Will gives it a NINE!!!

This is a recipe I picked out for our small group Bible study treat last week. The original comes from The Orange Patch Tastes of Fall, cookbook.  Again, our small group peeps were my taste-testers and our friend Will told me he'd give this recipe a nine.  Now Will doesn't give idle compliments, so this means a great deal!!  I myself was really pleased with how they turned out and with the amount of time and effort that went into them (not a ton!)  These are easily eaten with no utensils, which is nice when there are kids around.  If you like larger pieces of apples, I'd suggest just chopping the apples.  If you're into a smoother texture, try shredding the apples.  Either way, I think you're going to be happy with the results.

Dress your apples to the nines tonight!

Sour Cream Apple Squares 
Ingredients:
2 cups flour, sifted
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup chopped nuts (I used my food processor)
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup sour cream
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 egg
2 cups apples, cored, peeled and chopped or shredded

Method:
1.)  Combine flour, sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl, mixing until crumbly.

2.)  Stir in nuts
3.)  Press 2 3/4 cups of the mixture into an ungreased 13 X 9 inch baking pan.

4.)  Add cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking soda, salt, sour cream, vanilla and egg to remaining flour and mix.
5.)  Fold in apples.

6.)  Spread evenly over pressed mixture.

7.)  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes.

*** Makes about 18 servings

Click here for printable recipe

German Baking

One thing I remember vividly from my time in Germany is walking into a bakery and being overwhelmed by the wonderful aroma and endless choices of baked good available to me.  I loved everything I tried and one of my favorites was apfel kuchen - apple cake.  I tried this recipe out for our small group Bible study last night and it's a definite keeper.  I changed quite a few things, as usual.  My overall result was not as pretty as the ones I remember in the bakery windows in Germany, but the taste left absolutely NOTHING to be desired.

Guten appetit!!!

Apfel Kuchen - German Apple Cake 
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups flour (I used white whole wheat)
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup oil
1 tsp. vanilla
5-6 apples, cored, peeled and sliced
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground ginger

For Drizzling Over before baking (just mix together in small bowl)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon

For Glaze, after baking & cooled:
4 Tbsp. apricot jam, 4 Tbsp. water

Method:
1.)  Combine flour, sugar, baking powder & salt in a mixing bowl; then make a well in the center & set aside.
2.)  Blend egg, milk and oil together in a small mixing bowl.
3.)  Add egg mixture to dry mixture and stir until just moistened.
4.)  Spread batter into a greased 13X9 inche baking dish.
5.)  Arrange apple sliced in rows, slightly overlapping, on top of the batter, covering it completely.
6.)  Drizzle top butter/cinnamon/sugar/vanilla mixture
7.)  Bake @ 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes.
8.)  Combine jam & water in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the jam melts. 
9.)  When kuchen is cooled, brush with glaze.

Click here for printable recipe

Apple pie as a finger food!

My friend Lacie makes this amazing treat and once I'd tried it, I HAD to have the recipe.  I did add ginger & nutmeg to the apple mixture & vanilla to the glaze, but didn't mess with anything else.

I love that you can have apple pie without the plate and fork.  These bars are soooooo delicious.  You won't be able to stay away once you've tried them.  They look so rustic to me and I adore the rustic look.  If you're looking for a dessert sure to please everyone, look no further than this.  You won't be disappointed.

Mosey on up to these bars for a satisfying experience!!

Lacie's Amazing Apple Pie Bars 

Pastry:

3 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup shortening (I use butter flavor)
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup milk
Filling:

6 cups sliced, peeled apples
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 Tb flour
1-2 tsp cinnamon (depending on how you like cinnamon)
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
For Top:
1 egg white, lightly beaten
Glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 to 3 tsp water
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Method:
1.) Combine flour and salt, then cut in shortening until it resembles coarse crumbs.
2.) Combine egg yolk and milk, add to flour mixture. Stir just until dough clings together.
3.)  Divide dough in half and on a slightly floured surface, roll half of dough into a 15 X 10 inch rectangle, transfer to greased 15 X 10 X1 inch baking pan (Lacie's note: I just use a cookie sheet that is about an inch deep and roll my dough to fit my pan).
4.) In a bowl, toss together filling ingredients; spoon over pastry in pan. 
5.) Roll out remaining dough to another 15 X 10 rectangle.  Place over filling.  Brush with egg white.
6.) Bake at 375 for 40 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool on wire rack.
7.) Combine powdered sugar and enough water to achieve a drizzling consistency. 
8.) Drizzle over warm pastry.  Cut into squares.

Click here for printable recipe

An Apple A Day

On Saturday our family took a quick trip over to Johnson's Orchard, one of our favorite places in Yakima.  I can't tell you how much I adore going there when the air is crisp and cold and I can choose from over 8 different kinds of apples and 5-6 different kinds of pears.  My youngest son and I enjoy filling a box with every kind we can find to bring home and try.  When we got home, we couldn't wait to sample some of that crisp and juicy fruit we'd just chosen and I decided that it was time for another of our favorite fall recipes found in the Gooseberry Patch, "Flavors of Fall" cookbook (and ammended only slightly by me).  This one is super simple but oh so satisfying!!!  I was just telling my friend Shannon about it.  One of the best parts is the delicious "glaze" that is leftover in the pan.  So be sure you volunteer to do dishes that night!  You won't mind scraping the pan this time, you might even find yourself licking it clean - it's that good - I promise!!!

Sausage n' Apples

Ingredients:

1 lb. pkg of sausage (I have used links, sliced polish sausage & ground sausage.  ALL are good.  The best flavor comes from ground sausage, although the final presentation is less aesthetically pleasing than sausage links or sliced polish sausage.)
6 medium apples, cored, peeled & sliced
1 sweet onion, thinly sliced (optional, but it really adds great flavor & you don't notice it's there once it all cooks down).

1/2 cup sugar (I like using brown, but white is just fine too)

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 cup water

Method:

Brown sausage in a large skillet, add onions and saute until translucent (about 5 min.).  Mix apples, sugar & spices and water together and add to skillet.  Cover and simmer until apples are tender, about 30 minutes.  It serves 4, just barely, so I'd advise doubling it if you have more than that!

Click here for printable recipe