At the age of 26, John Chapman began a journey that would last a lifetime.
The Leominster, MA native wandered the Ohio River Valley barefooted, wearing only a tin pot for a hat and old cloth sacks for clothing. He planted apple seeds, gathered from the cider mills in Pennsylvania, in wild orchards up and down the Ohio River Valley.
John Chapman died on March 10, 1845, but not before becoming an American legend. John Chapman is better known as “Johnny Appleseed.”
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| Fresh apples can be transformed into incredibly delicious desserts. |
Johnny Appleseed is not the only legend responsible for encouraging the consumption of apples in our homes. A few years back my daughter discovered her first loose tooth. As we were lying in bed one morning, she began to recount a story she had heard in kindergarten about the Tooth Fairy.
It seemed someone had told her that the Tooth Fairy left apples when she collected those teeth left under pillows each night. When I asked my daughter which she would prefer the Tooth Fairy to leave under her pillow, money or an apple, she replied, “An apple.”
Thanks to Johnny Appleseed for planting all those seeds and to the Tooth Fairy for swappin' teeth for apples because without apples on the kitchen counter we'd be unable to enjoy Apple Pie and other yummy apple dishes such as Bread Pudding with Apple Sauce and Poached Apple Rings Atop Wheat Crackers.
Bread Pudding With Apple Sauce
Ingredients:
- 8 slices bread
- 4 cups evaporated skim milk
- 8 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup water
- 4 medium apples
Method:
Tear bread into bite-size pieces and soak in evaporated skim milk. Add eggs, sugar and vanilla. Puree mixture in a blender or food processor. Pour into ungreased baking dish. Bake in 325° oven for 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let cool.
While pudding is cooling, peel and chop the apples into bite-size pieces. Put water and apples into a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer gently for 25 minutes or until mixture thickens and apples are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. Spoon warmed applesauce atop bread pudding and serve with a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
Fried Apple Rings Atop Wheat Crackers
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 2 medium cooking apples, cored and cut into ½-inch thick slices
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- wheat crackers
Method:
Heat butter or margarine in 10-inch skillet until melted. Arrange apples in single layer in skillet. Cover and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, turning occasionally. When apples are softened sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Cook another 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until apples reach desired tenderness.
Serve atop wheat crackers.
