My “Every Meal Solution” Recipe

By Lori Powell

Apples are everywhere at this time of the year, but is it me or is there a whole new crop of varieties out there?

One of my all-time favorites is the Honeycrisp (breeding is still not clearly determined). It’s large enough so you can make a meal out of it.

I’m not sure how it is in your neck of the woods but in mine, Honeycrisps are the size of softballs. They are the perfect combination of sweet, crunchy and refreshingly juicy. It’s a modern apple variety developed by the University of Minnesota to withstand cold climates.

Then there is the Jazz apple – sweet, tangy, pleasantly acidic and crunchy – a perfect marriage of Braeburn and Royal Gala. Call me simple but I am still drawn to the tart clean taste of a Granny Smith and will never make a pie without them, along with some of the other varieties, new or not.

No matter which apples I pick, I keep to organic as I like the total package, skin and all, which ups the fiber content in my diet.

Below is my all-time meal solution when I am in a crunch and have no time to cook. It’s my go-to breakfast, lunch, dinner or midnight dessert...the perfect super-simple mealtime solution.

Apple Tips:
To easily remove the seeds from apples, cut the apples in half lengthwise and use a melon baller to scoop them out. Or use an apple corer. I personally find the melon baller easier since each end contains a different size scoop for different size apples.

Then place the apple flat side down on your counter and chop or slice away. Remember to toss cut apples with fresh lemon juice to keep them from browning.

To get the recipe and shopping list on your smartphone (iPhone, BlackBerry, Android device) or PC, click here.

Apple Parfait
Serves 1

1 small apple
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup good-quality granola
Toppers: pistachios, dried cherries, toasted coconut (optional)

1. Halve apple and core. Chop and toss in a bowl with lemon juice.
2. In a glass layer half the apples, half the yogurt and half the granola; repeat layers with remaining ingredients. Sprinkle with toppings, if desired.

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