Apples

This time of year means apples. We moved to this house in December, almost four years ago. When we had looked at the house, we noticed a tree with a sea of apples on the ground. It seemed a waste. We've been so thankful for this tree as well as a few other, less prolific trees. Last year, my husband had been made redundant and was in the first throes of setting up his own business. The tree did better than ever-over 400lb of apples-plenty for us and to share. God is good.

This year, again, the tree is bearing fruit. We haven't finished, or even scarely started to pick the apples.
Apples mean apple recipes. I usually end up by gently cooking some and freezing for crumbles and pies later. The Bramley website is a source of recipes. The tomato and Bramley soup is surprisingly good-I made up two batches today, one to eat tomorrow and one to freeze.
Another recipe that I often use was given to me, by an aunt, although I've altered it.

Bramley chicken casserole
Ingredients
chicken portions (as many as you would usually use for your family)
1-2 chopped onions (I use 2 cooking for 8)
 chopped carrots (1/2 per person)
sliced mushrooms (I allow 3-4 for mushroom lovers)
1 Bramley-peeled, cored and cut into thick chunks)
Chicken stock-I use 1 and 1/2 pints for 8
Tablespoon plain flour
Tablespoon oil

Method
Put the oil in a frying pan, heat and add the chicken. Brown, then add the onions. When the onions are soft, add the flour and stir. Add the hot stock and stir, add in the other ingredients and bring to a simmer.
Cook in the oven at 180C for 90minutes until the chicken is well cooked. Alternatively, I use the slow cooker-check your own slow cooker instructions for timing. I use 6 hours on high.
Serve with baked or mashed potatoes and green beans.

This year, for the first time, I've made a blackberry and apple jam in the slow cooker, using a recipe from my new slow cooker book, Ultimate Slowcooker.  This jam uses less sugar than conventional varieties and will only keep a couple of months, in the fridge. Can't say this looks like being a problem here.