Whether your festivities include immediate family or bring together relatives from around the country, the holidays are about making memories with loved ones. From the first days of the season to the last, many families spend their precious time together with favorite activities and the best foods the holidays have to offer.
This year, you can change things up and start new traditions with a fresh ingredient like Envy apples, which provide an easy way to update classics due to their sweet taste and availability. The sweet, sophisticated flavor; uplifting, fresh aroma; delightfully satisfying crunch; beautiful appearance; and naturally white flesh that doesn’t brown as quickly as other apples all lend themselves to shareable recipes like this Apple Wreath Salad or Roasted Apple Macaroni and Cheese, both perfect for holiday parties.
Because cherished memories are made with sweet ingredients, you can turn cozy movie nights into festive and memorable events year after year by pairing Hallmark Channel’s popular “Countdown to Christmas” holiday movies with delicious desserts like Apple Custard Sponge Trifle and Brown Butter Apple Pie.
Apple Custard Sponge Trifle
2 tablespoons golden caster sugar
1/2 cup, plus 2 tablespoons, water
1 large plain sponge cake
2 cups vanilla bean custard
1/2 cup caramel or butterscotch sauce, plus additional for garnish, divided
Peel, core and dice apples; place in large saucepan. Add caster sugar, cinnamon and 1/2 cup water. Simmer apples 5-8 minutes until tender.
Combine corn flour and remaining water. Stir corn flour mixture into apples until apples are syrupy.
Cut sponge cake into 2-centimeter diced pieces. Arrange 1/3 of sponge pieces in base of serving bowl. Add half of cinnamon apple pieces, including syrupy juices. Add 1 cup custard and drizzle with 1/4 cup caramel sauce. Repeat with remaining ingredients, finishing with sponge cake; chill.
Whip cream and spoon dollops over sponge cake to cover top. Garnish with apple slices, strawberry slices and caramel sauce.
Family Features • Find more memory-making recipes at EnvyApple.com.
Roasted Apple Macaroni and Cheese
1 Envy apple, peeled and diced
3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup Romano cheese, grated
1 cup gruyere cheese, grated
1 teaspoon Worcestershire
Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add noodles and cook until just tender. Drain and set aside.
In large pot over high heat, melt butter then saute diced apple until caramelized and tender. Sprinkle in flour and stir. Cook 1 minute, stirring frequently.
Whisk in heavy cream and milk; bring to boil, whisking frequently so milk doesn’t burn.
Once boiling, turn heat to low and whisk in cheddar cheese, Romano cheese, gruyere cheese, salt and Worcestershire. Continue whisking until cheese is melted thoroughly.
Carefully pour mixture into large blender and blend on high until smooth.
Pour cheese sauce over noodles and stir.
Pour macaroni and cheese into 9-by-13-inch pan and spread evenly.
To make topping: In medium bowl, melt butter and stir in panko breadcrumbs.
Sprinkle breadcrumbs over macaroni and cheese; broil until golden brown.
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, finely ground
1 large garlic clove, minced
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
9 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
3 ounces pomegranate arils
To make balsamic dressing: In small serving bowl, whisk honey, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
Place dressing bowl in center of large board or platter. Arrange arugula around dressing bowl in wreath shape.
Place apple slices on top of arugula. Sprinkle on goat cheese, pomegranate arils and pecans.
Recipe courtesy of “The Produce Moms” (@theproducemoms)
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
4 tablespoons butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 pounds Envy apples, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 deep dish frozen pie shell
To make streusel topping: Mix flour, chopped pecans and light brown sugar. Stir in butter using fingertips until incorporated with small lumps of butter visible. Refrigerate.
To make filling: In large skillet over medium heat, melt butter until amber, stirring often. Set aside to cool. In large bowl, stir sliced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, vanilla and flour using spatula. Pour brown butter over apples and mix, scraping skillet with rubber spatula to incorporate brown butter bits.
Place frozen pie shell on baking sheet. Add 2 cups apple mixture into shell, gently pressing apple slices for even base. Add remaining apple slices and gently press. Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over apples.
Bake 30 minutes then reduce oven temperature to 350 F and bake 35-45 minutes until topping is golden and apples feel tender when pierced with fork.
