apple picking

we came home with loads of fruit from apple picking at stuart's farm over the weekend and wanted to come up with some new recipes. they may not be the most beautiful northern spy, macoun, baldwin and mutsu apples due to some late season rain but they taste great - it was so much fun to walk through the orchards on a cool overcast day, tasting apples before we picked them to ensure the most tart flavor and crunchy texture before filling our bags. we'll post a sweet apple recipe soon but on this cold rainy almost wintry feeling evening in nyc a savory dish felt more appropriate. there are many classic combinations but few are better than pork, apples & sage - this dish is a simple roast dinner and the apples become unbelievably tender and creamy.

Roast Pork Loin with Apples & Sage

serves 6 to 8

4 tbs olive oil, divided

3 1/2 lbs boneless pork loin roast

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

6 to 8 small tart apples, quartered or cut into wedges

6 large leaves fresh sage, chopped

6 cloves garlic, chopped

preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

grease a large baking dish with 1 tbs olive oil. place pork roast in fat side up and season all over with salt, pepper and 1 tbs oil. arrange apples around meat and drizzle with remaining oil. sprinkle pork and apples with sage and garlic. roast for about 1 hour or until temperature reaches 140 degrees F. let rest 10 to 15 minutes before slicing to serve with apples. enjoy!

apple tart

even though the weather really doesn't feel like fall quite yet, the apples and pumpkins at the market sure make it seem autumnal already! here's a super quick and easy bite to make that takes minimal time and ingredients but is big on flavor and simple beauty. puff pastry is a great thing to have in your freezer at all times (like to make this or this) and is perfect in this recipe for a lovely dessert with ice cream, breakfast treat or a little snack with your afternoon coffee.

Apple Tarts

makes 6-8

2 tart apples, cored

1 lemon, juiced

1 pkg frozen puff pastry, defrosted

4 tbs honey

preheat oven to 400 degrees F. thinly slice apples and toss in lemon juice and a little water to keep from browning. set aside.

roll out puff pastry to about 1/4-inch thick on a board lightly dusted with flour. use round cookie cutters to cut out six to eight 2-inch circles and remove excess dough. transfer to an ungreased baking sheet. drain apples well. arrange slices on each of the circles and drizzle with honey. bake tarts for 12-18 minutes or until golden brown. serve immediately & enjoy!