apple cider Archives - Cooking Classy

Pumpkin Waffles

Jaclyn — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 17:03:21 +0000

Pumpkin Waffles are the fall and winter breakfast of your dreams, with the perfect blend of pumpkin spices, fluffy batter, and the crispy grid of waffle edges made by your waffle iron. Top them with warm maple syrup or powdered sugar and a dollop of whipped cream to polish them off!

Homemade pumpkin waffles are a seasonal staple. They are so good in fact you may find yourself turning to them year round!

They're crisp on the outside while fluffy, moist and tender on the inside. Exactly as a waffle should be.

They are made with smooth pumpkin, warm spices, flavorful buttermilk, a fair amount of eggs for billowy fluff, and oil for richness. They make an excellent lazy weekend morning treat, and they are even worthy of a festive holiday breakfast spread.

So much to savor in these delectable, pumpkin infused waffles!

Apple Salad

Jaclyn — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 00:23:16 +0000

Apple Salad - made with an abundance of crisp sweet apples, fresh spring lettuce greens or spinach, crunchy toasted pecans, tangy feta, flavorful salty bacon and it's finished with a vibrant maple cider vinaigrette dressing. It's the perfect autumn salad!

Our Favorite Apple Salad Recipe!

Who doesn't love a salad that includes fresh seasonal ingredients? Many of us are baking with those delicious seasonal fall apples (making apple crisp, apple pie or apple cobbler) but those juicy apples are also such great addition to savory recipes (like this autumn sheet pan chicken dinner) and side salads like this.

Apples are the crowing star of the show in this salad and they are highlighted beautifully by the other ingredients like the tangy feta and rich smoky bacon. Bacon makes everything better though right?

This salad is simple enough to be an addition to weeknight meal but it's also delicious enough to be served at a holiday gathering or a weekend party.

If you want to make it a main dish just add some chopped rotisserie chicken to it for more protein or consider tossing in a grain like farro, barley or even seedy tri color quinoa.

So much to love about this colorful, vibrant, sweet and savory salad!

Wassail (Warm Autumn Punch)

Jaclyn — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 02:36:00 +0000

Wassail is one of those things that you just need to make at least once every fall. It's a warm apple cider punch that's perfectly cozy and comforting for chilly autumn days. It's sweet and perfectly spiced. This recipe makes a big batch so it's perfect for parties!

The Best Wassail Recipe!

This warm, spiced apple cider punch is one of the best ways to enjoy a chilly day! It's sweet and tangy and perfectly bright and refreshing.

It's made with 100% juice and a hint of honey so it's a drink you can feel fine about enjoying. And kids love it too!

I've had many different versions of wassail a lot of which I found too tart or over-spiced, this is the version I love best!

What is Wassail Anyway?

Generally Wassail is a spiced ale or mulled wine drunk during celebrations for Twelfth Night and Christmas Eve. Many versions though here in the U.S. are alcohol free, as is this one (though if preferred you could add vodka or rum).

Ingredients You'll Need for This Punch

Apple cider
Orange juice
Pineapple juice
Honey
Cinnamon sticks
Cloves

Tips when selecting ingredients - use not from concentrate juices and real apple cider (the kind generally found in the produce section with floaties in the bottom).

How to Make Wassail

In a large pot stir together apple cider, pineapple juice, orange juice and honey.
Add cinnamon sticks and cloves (if you don't want to strain later on put spices in cheesecloth and tie).

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat then reduce heat to low, cover and let simmer 30 minutes.
Strain and serve warm.

Garnish if Desired

You can cook a few apple slices with it but I prefer not to cook oranges slices in the punch because it can add a bitter flavor from the white pith. But if you wait to add the oranges slices add it at the end it won't really add bitterness.

Garnishing Ideas:

Apple slices (look for the pretty red Galas)
Mandarin oranges slices (use quartered slices for individual servings)
Cinnamon sticks
Fresh cranberries

Can I Make It in the Slow Cooker?

You can definitely make this in the slow cooker as well. Just add ingredients to a 6 or 7 quart slow cooker, cover and cook on low 4 hours. Set to warm setting for parties to keep it heated.

Can I Reheat It?

If you didn't finish off the whole batch you can just chill whats left and rewarm later (either in the microwave, stovetop or slow cooker).

More Drink Recipes You'll Love

Wassail (Warm Autumn Punch)

This is the perfect cozy comforting fall drink! It's made with robust cider, tangy orange juice and sweet pineapple juice. Then add honey to taste (I like 2 Tbsp) and don't leave out those flavorful seasonal spices. They really make this drink!

8 cups apple cider
3 cups orange juice
1 (46 oz) can pineapple juice
2 Tbsp honey ((optional, or to taste))
2 3-inch cinnamon sticks
2 tsp cloves

In a large pot (at least 6 quarts or larger) whisk together apple cider, pineapple juice, orange juice and honey. Add cinnamon sticks and cloves.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat then reduce heat to low, cover and let simmer 30 minutes.
Strain and serve warm. Garnish if desired (see notes).

For best results use real apple cider (the kind generally found in the produce section in the fall). For best flavor use "not from concentrate" pineapple juice and orange juice.
If you don't want to strain later on put cinnamon and cloves in cheesecloth and tie, then just remove at the end and serve.
You can make it in the slow cooker too! Cook, covered, on low heat 3 hours.
Garnish with fresh apples slices, mandarin oranges slices, cinnamon sticks or fresh cranberries if desired.
Recipe source: adapted slightly from Allrecipes.

Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

Jaclyn — Sun, 08 Oct 2017 03:59:58 +0000

Pork Chops with Apples and Onions is the perfect autumn dinner! You get perfectly seared pork chops topped with the most delicious cinnamon and allspice seasoned cider pan sauce, and it's served with tender, butter sautéed apples and red onions. Yes, yes, and yes!

Seared Pork Chops with Sweet Apples and Red Onions

I'll be honest, pork chops haven't always been my first choice of protein for dinner. But these pork chops change everything!

They are perfectly seared, perfectly spiced and seasoned and I just can't get enough of the fresh apple and red onion addition.

Oh and that pan sauce! Let's talk about that for a second because it is a key highlight of this dish.

It's made with chicken broth for depth, apple cider for sweetness (and because it's the perfect pairing to pork), then dijon mustard for zip, and those fresh herbs and autumn spices for flavor.

You know those spices that I can't help but add to everything lately, even my main dish like so.