Acres of Apples, Frugal to the Core
By Jill Cooper
http://www.LivingOnADime.com/

I’ve always dreamed of having an apple tree in my back yard. You know 
the old saying, “Be careful what you wish for?” Now that I actually 
have my own apple tree, I stand in my yard watching the apples piling 
up around me thinking, “Oh no — What do I do with this mess now?” If 
I could make gasoline out of apples, I could retire, but since that 
is not an option and my frugal mind will not allow me to waste one 
apple, I have had to come up with some yummier “apple disposal” 
methods. If you find that you have a few dozen more apples than you 
know what to do with, these recipes from LivingOnADime.com will help 
settle your frugal dilemma.

Other Uses:
~When you have a partially eaten apple, save the good part and chop 
into pieces. Place in a microwave safe dish. Blend together 1 tsp. 
each brown sugar, flour, oatmeal and margarine and a dash of 
cinnamon.  Top the apple with the topping and microwave until tender.
~Core and slice apples very thin. Dehydrate and use in granolas, eat 
alone or soften in warm water to use in recipes.
~Slice and use in Pancakes or waffles.
~Freeze. Peel, slice and core and then store in 2 cups portions in 
freezer bags.
~Use soft apples in cooking.
~Cut into small pieces and add to salads with a fruit based dressing.

Apple Butter

9 to 10 apples, cored, peeled and chopped
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. cloves
1/8 tsp. salt
Place everything into a crockpot.  Stir, cover and cook on high 1 
hour.  Cook on low for 9-11 hours or until thick and dark brown. Stir 
occasionally. Uncover and cook on low 1 hour longer. Stir with whisk 
until smooth. Refrigerate or Freeze. Makes 2 pints.

Apple Pie Filling

9 cups baking apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice
5 cups water
2 1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg

Toss apples with lemon juice and set aside. Combine the rest of the 
ingredients in Dutch oven and bring to a boil for 2 minutes, stirring 
constantly. Add apples and return to boil. Reduce heat, cover and 
simmer until apples are tender (6-10 minutes). Cool for 30 minutes. 
Then ladle into freezer containers or bake immediately.  Makes two 9-
inch pies.

Fried Apples

4 large apples, cored and sliced
3 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Cut apples into 1/4 inch slices.  Heat butter in a large skillet. Put 
the apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon in the skillet and cover. Over 
medium-low heat, cook apple slices 7-10 minutes or until they begin 
to soften and the syrup thickens.  Serve coated with excess syrup on 
top. Serves 4.

Baked Apples

apples, cored
raisins (optional)
1 tsp. margarine
dash of cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
1 Tbsp. honey or brown sugar
(These amounts are per apple.)

For each person use 1 apple. Fill the center of the apple with all 
the ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees until tender or put in a Dutch 
oven on top of stove and simmer on very low until tender.

Apple Snack

2 qts. apples, peeled, cored and halved

Coarsely grate apples.  Place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 225 
degrees until dry.  Remove from cookie sheet and break into pieces.   
Store in an airtight container.

Apple Crisp

6 apples, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. cinnamon and/or nutmeg
1/2 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange apples in well-greased baking 
dish. Blend all remaining ingredients except water. Spread evenly 
over top of apples. Pour water over the topping. Bake 45 minutes 
until apples are tender and top is crisp. Serves 6.

Peach Crisp
   Use peaches in place of apples.

~When you have a partially eaten apple, save the good part and chop 
into pieces. Place in a microwave-safe dish. Blend together 1 tsp. 
each brown sugar, flour, oatmeal and margarine and a dash of 
cinnamon.  Top the apple with the topping and microwave until tender.

Jill Cooper raised two teenagers alone on $500 a month income after 
becoming disabled with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. To read more of 
Jill’s articles and for free tips and recipes visit http://
www.LivingOnADime.com/ .