One thing I will not be passing down from my Siti
Siti passed along amazing, family recipes, but this one thing should definitely stay in the past.
I loved my Siti’s baking.
Before you keep reading, please keep this in mind! She was so caring in her actions, especially when it came to desserts.
She’d always have a gallon bag or a bin of cookies in her freezer. My Great Uncle David’s chocolate chip walnut cookies, crackle cookies, and even the freezer-burned mamoul in the mix! I remember sneaking cookies from the garage freezer when she’d doze off in the living room, or grabbing one in the indoor freezer in the dark.
When she got older though, some of her dessert options weren’t her finest.
Specifically, her apple turnover phase.
As silly as it sounds, these were just…not it. There was about a year/two-year period where she’d make apple turnovers consistently, monthly! I don’t know if anyone had the heart to tell her they didn’t like them, so she’d keep making them!
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good apple dessert. But these turnovers had many flaws.
First off, the pastry would either be soggy on the bottom, completely falling apart, or burnt, no in between (and bland, hate to say it)! The apple filling was lacking in spices and too sweet. It gave, nothing.
Think of a sad toaster strudel. Actually, just think of eating an apple toaster strudel as an adult…
Again, this woman had amazing recipes! And even if the turnovers were awful, we’d still eat them because they were made with love!
Now…here’s a list of sweet apple recipes I think would be better than an apple turnover!
Apple Galette
Here she is again making a reappearance from last week’s post. It really was that good! I loosely followed Food52’s galette filling recipe, subbing ground ginger for fresh grated, adding a lot more punch! I also used Claire Saffitz’s Rough Puff Pastry recipe, it’s impressive and not as hard as you’d think.
Apple Toast (I can’t think of a better title)
Take a piece of good crusty bread like sourdough or ciabatta, lather on top Labne, or sweetened greek yogurt. Top it with cooked-down apples (or leftover galette filling HINT HINT). Top it with some roasted nuts like walnuts or almonds, with a pinch of salt, cinnamon, and a drizzle of honey. THAT SOUNDS DELICIOUS; not too sweet and a fun snack!
Side note: the toast was just an idea at first, then I made it for breakfast the next morning after writing this section. And it was delicious. If you made anything from this little list, make this one!
Fried Apples
I think of Cracker Barrel on a cold, winter’s day. You just ate the blandest plate of Chicken and Dumplings, and are about to walk around a store filled with the aroma of nostalgic capitalism, and biscuits. But before you do, you save your side of fried apples as a mini dessert and know they aren’t going to last more than 30 seconds on your plate, it’s just what you do.
Big side note: you can EASILY make this at home.
Apple Cobbler
I mean, I shouldn’t have to explain this one. It’s the same flavor profile as all the other desserts mentioned above, but with a buttery, crunchy, delicious topping? I’m sold. When I was in elementary school, my mom would make this once fall had hit, and it was definitely something worth looking forward to. Also, so easy to make! It’s like a glorified and sophisticated dump cake.
Apples. Peanut Butter. Dark Chocolate Chips. Salt.
I wouldn’t consider this a dessert dessert, but this is one of my go-to snacks/something sweet fixes. It’s quick, it’s simple, it’s satisfying. I’ve seen some people call these “apple cookies” circa Pinterest diet culture 2015. Don’t pretend these are cookies, they are perfect just the way they are (and better than any turnover).
Caramel Apples
Tis the season, amiright ladies? Preferably, in slices, flaky sea salt, and dark chocolate. So, I guess what I said in the bullet before, but swap in caramel, or add in! I don’t judge, whatever floats your boat! Or….bobs your apple.
Okay, I’m finished. Moral of the story: turnovers are silly, try other options!
With Love,
Cara
im gonna make an apple turnover out of spite