Cookbook authors Philip and Lauren Rubin are passionate about heirloom apples, as exhibited in their just-off-the-presses The Comfort of Apples (Lyons Press, $21.95).
The book offers modern twists on nearly 100 apple recipes, including Lauren’s favorite Salmon Burger with Apple Corn Slaw and Philip’s favorite Clam Cassoulet spiked with apple cider.
This week, Swap Shop is featuring two Rubin creations: the Best Twice-Baked Potatoes, which marries yams and sweet apples, and Apple Giardiniera — yes, giardiniera with apples.
Giardiniera is “almost a religion in Chicago,” the book says. Philip admits with a chuckle that Chicagoans might scoff at adding apples until they taste the balance that a sweet-tart apple adds to the otherwise sharp condiment.
For those readers watching their caloric and fat intake, there’s a yummy recipe for Low-Fat Double Apple Muffins — made with both applesauce and shredded apples — from South Dakota’s Department of Health.
To make 6 servings of the Best Twice-Baked Potatoes from The Comfort of Apples:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and spread with ¼ cup olive oil.
Roll 3 large yams (about 1 pound each) in oil to coat, and season well with salt and pepper. Bake until tender (about 1 hour), and remove from oven.
In a small saucepan, bring 1½ cups heavy cream to a simmer over medium-high heat; whisk in 2 tablespoons unsalted butter. Reduce heat to medium; add 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1½ tablespoons minced thyme and 3 cups peeled and diced (¼-inch dice) sweet apples (see Note). If desired, season to taste with additional salt and pepper. Cook until apples are tender (about 8 to 10 minutes).
Slice each yam in half; carefully scoop hot insides into medium bowl, protecting shell. Fold in hot cream mixture. Spoon mixture back into potato shells.
In a food processor, place 1 cup bread (cut in 1-inch chunks), 1 cup Parmesan (cut in 1-inch chunks) and 1/2 cup fresh parsley; pulse until fine. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture over potatoes, return to oven, and bake until yams are lightly browned and crisp (about 30 minutes).
Note: The Rubins suggest any sweet apple such as Golden Delicious, Gala, Cox’s Orange Pippin, Rome and York.
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/food/2771364,swap-shop-apples-comfort-book-100610.article
