Apple Cookbook by Olwen Woodier

evaporate). Place the remainder in a medium-sized bowl. Add the lemon juice and granulated sugar to the bowl; toss to coat the apples.
    4 . To the apple slices in the saucepan, add the brown sugar, orange marmalade, brandy, if desired, and butter. Cover the pan and cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Remove the cover, beat the mixture, and cook for 5–10 minutes longer. The mixture should be thick and smooth. Remove from the heat and cool.
    5 . When the applesauce has cooled slightly, spoon it into the chilled pie shell and arrange the tossed apple slices decoratively on top. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350°F and bake for 30 minutes longer.
    6 . Melt the apple jelly and brush over the baked apple slices. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
    Yield: 8 servings

Apple Nut Puff Tarts
    I often turn to this recipe when I want to serve “apple pie” to family and friends but find I’m short on time. I use a sheet of frozen puff pastry or the little frozen shells. Call these tarts fast food, if you will, but they are delicious. I vary the flavor by using black walnuts or pecans and adding grated citrus zest. Serve with vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt
.
    1 sheet frozen puff pastry
    1 can (21 ounces) apple-pie filling
    ½ cup chopped black walnuts, regular walnuts, or pecans, toasted
    1 teaspoon grated orange, lime, or lemon zest
    ¼ cup raisins, plumped in apple juice or brandy (optional)
    2 tablespoons marmalade, or apricot preserves
    1 . Preheat oven to 375°F.
    2 . Place the pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll into a 12-inch square. Using a sharp knife or pastry or pizza cutter, slice the pastry into four 6-inch squares, and set them on a baking sheet.
    3 . Pinch ½ inch around the edges of each square, bringing the pastry up to form a lip. Prick the crust in several places with the tines of a fork. Place in the freezer for a few minutes to firm up if the pastry seems too soft.
    4 . Bake the tart cases for 10–15 minutes, until they are golden and crisp. Keep an eye on them, and if they seem to be puffing up too much, press the pastry down with the back of a spoon. Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving plate.
    5 . While the pastry is baking, combine the apple-pie filling with the nuts and orange zest; add the raisins, if desired.
    6 . Melt the marmalade in a small saucepan over low heat.
    7 . Spread a spoonful of the marmalade over the pastry, and spoon the pie filling into the tart cases.
    Yield: 4 servings
    VARIATIONS
    For little tarts, use a package of frozen puff pastry shells, thawed and baked according to package directions. Brush with marmalade and fill as directed.
    If you want to make your own filling, peel, core, and slice 4 apples and sauté in 2 teaspoons of butter over medium heat in a covered skillet for 10 minutes, until soft.

    APPLE PICKING TIPS
    If you are interested in getting the freshest apples you can buy, then picking your own (page 36) is the way to go. Here are some tips to get you started:
    Call the orchard ahead to check which varieties will be ready for harvesting and whether there are picnic areas and other facilities.
    Take your own bags and baskets unless the orchard specifically states that they provide containers.
    Pick apples by giving them a half twist back and forth. This loosens the stem gently without damaging the branch.
    When harvesting fallen apples, check for bruises, ants, and wasps.
    Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid getting stung by wasps and bees that may be feasting on apples pecked open by birds.
    Wear comfortable boots or high-top sneakers.
    Apply sunblock. Sunny days in fall can be deceptively hot.
    Before munching on a just-picked apple, ask the orchardist whether fungal or other sprays have been used recently. If so, wash it before eating.

Apple Cream Cheese Tart
    This scrumptious apple cheesecake in a tart shell is a recipe I received from Ann Kojis Ziff, my longtime friend, who used to bake me the most wonderful birthday