It has been three weeks since my last post. In that time, I have changed servers (which put my site down for 10 days), gotten neck deep into my new position at school and have flat-out been exhausted.
Even so, I don’t like being away for so long.
Thank you for being patient and sticking with me through all of this.
Tonight’s recipe is a special one. For those who live in any one of the forty-two states with a Cracker Barrel, undoubtedly you are familiar with their menu classics, including their amazing fried apples. With just the right balance of sweet and savory, warm and dripping with an almost caramel like sauce, Cracker Barrel fried apples are served as a side, but delicious enough for dessert. Much like apple pie without the crust, these mouth-watering delights are sure to please.
Unfortunately, when it comes to Cracker Barrel’s Allergen Menu, this delicate dish does not appear on the safe for Milk Allergen or Wheat (Glutens) Allergen list.
So when my bestest friend of 21 years, Desi, suggested that I write a gluten-free, dairy-free recipe for fried apples, I knew exactly whose fried apples she wanted me to aim for.
Like me, Desi has a natural obsession for really good, home-made type foods. Desi though, is very very particular when it comes to her food memories, if the flavors are not exact, her craving won’t be satisfied.
I am talking down to the brand specific. Give her a blind taste-test, she will tell you which item is spot-on and which one isn’t.
So the challenge to re-create Cracker Barrel’s Fried Apples is not one that I took lightly.
In fact, it has taken me a year to be absolutely happy with the result.
🙂 Lucky for me, I was invited to join hands with Food Network for their Fall Fest as they team up with blogs to share tips and recipes about seasonal produce throughout the fall season.
To open this luscious season, Food Network has challenged us to work with the perfectly plentiful apple.
No doubt this is the most opportune moment to share this very special recipe which has been perfected with my bestest friend in mind.
May you find as much joy in this simple dish as we have.
Ingredients
- 8 Large, Tart Apples (about 3 pounds), cored and sliced.
- 1 Tbs Lemon Juice
- 1/3 c Vegan, Organic Butter-Flavor Shortening or Coconut Oil (I prefer the butter-flavor from the shortening).
- 1/3 c Palm Sugar
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp Sea Salt
- 1/8 tsp Allspice
- 1/8 tsp Nutmeg
Instructions
- In large bowl, sprinkle apple slices with lemon juice. Stir to cover completely. Prepare large fry pan by melting butter-flavored shortening or coconut oil over medium heat. Once completely melted, add apple slices and warm through. Sprinkle palm sugar, cinnamon, salt, allspice and nutmeg over the warm apple slices. Continue to fry apples until palm sugar is completely melted and all slices have been evenly coated.
- Serve and enjoy!
- Makes 8-10 servings.
Be sure to visit all of the beautiful apple recipes in this weeks Food Network Fall Fest!
CIA Dropout: Apple-Roasted Duck
Cooking Channel: Add Apples to Your Salad
The Cultural Dish: Apple Cider Martini
And Love It Too: Fried Apples (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free and Vegan)
From My Corner of Saratoga: Easy Skillet Apple Pie (A Southern Living Recipe Reviewed)
Haute Apple Pie: Baked Apple Pancake
Virtually Vegan Mama: Slow Cooker Apple Date Butter
Big Girls Small Kitchen: Apple Pancakes
What’s Gaby Cooking: Apple Cake
FN Dish: Savory Apple Recipes
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Roasted Apple and Caramelized Onion Soup
Zaika Zabardast: Chocolate Apple Pie Breakfast Pop Tarts
The Sensitive Epicure: Pan Fried Apple Rings (Gluten-Free)
Glory Foods: Caramel Apple Upside Down Cupcakes
Daily*Dishin: Apple, Bacon, Feta Salad With Maple Vinaigrette
Dishin & Dishes: Old Fashioned Apple Crisp
Cooking With Elise: Wholegrain Apple Oat Pancakes
I often find most joy in simple dishes. Lovely recipe!
🙂 Thank you!
Sunny, you are doing great, dear … even with all the obstacles! You’ll be making many, many folks happy with this one. Both of my parents are Cracker Barrel fans. I’ll have to ask if they eat the fried apples there, and then make your recipe for them if they do. 🙂
xo,
Shirley
🙂 Shirley,
That would be an honor.
I have a bag of very tart Granny Smith apples that I haven’t been eating because of the tartness, so I decided to give this recipe a try, even though I don’t have most of the ingredients. So I cored and sliced 4 small apples, melted real butter in a fry pan (I don’t have dairy issues), sprinkled everything with Pink Himalayan salt and then drizzled Raw Agave Nectar over the apples. Even though I don’t have any cinnamon, allspice & nutmeg on hand, I’m amazed at how good this tasted! Reminded me of apple pie without the flour crust…yum! Thanks for the idea!
Pink Himalayan salt? 🙂 Where on earth do you find that?
I am so happy you enjoyed this! xoxo