Yesterday, I got a call from a friend of mine, she was being gifted twy grates of apples, that had been on the ground for a day, but still good enough to eat. She wanted to know if I wanted the second grate. Of course, how could I turn down such an offer.
She dropped them round to me last night and I went through them, taking out any bruised ones, so no more would began to rot overnight. I wasn't so worried about the holes in them. So today I began my apple mission. First step to make Apple Cider Vinegar. She also gifted me some jars as well, so I was all set.
I filled each jar half way with apple pieces, ( I just chopped them roughly and included the core and pips as well), then I added 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, per cup of water. Until the jars were almost full. Them I stirred it, until all the sugar was dissolved.
Then I covered them with breathable cotton, as then need to breathe as they ferment. I just placed the lids on top to make sure no insects got in whilst I cut the material. Then I brought them inside, to a dark shelf. For the next two weeks I'll stir them each day, then I'll drain them. Rebottle the liquid and cover again with cotton and leave to sit for a month and then it should be ready.
Of course there were still lots of apples left. I'm going use most of them to make some apple compote tomorrow. But I had to take some, to make an apple pie. In this case an apple and strawberry pie. That's it before it went in the oven. Which was for about 30 minutes.
And this is what it looked like coming out. I cheated a little and used prebought pastry. Which I filled with some sliced apple and strawberries, which I had marinated in lemon juice and coconut sugar. I then put a little coconut sugar on the pastry. We haven't tasted it yet, my youngest is visiting a friend and I want us to eat it all together. Deserts are a treat in our home.
Okay, so technically there were no apples in my lunch, bit it tasted so good. Me and my girls love avocado's and we've in an area where quite a lot grow and I know a few spots where I can pick some, especially after a windy day. I managed to pick some last week and they were ready today. So I mashed one with some oil. Spread it on some toast, with red onion, mungbean sprouts and some of my friends homemade mango chutney (which is sooo good). It was the perfect fuel for my body.
Now I'm a bit appled out, until tomorrow at least. When I get my pan out and make the compote, I might make some apple concentrate too. Hmmm let's see what tomorrow brings.
