Turn apple picking into lessons in the kitchen

Visiting the apple orchard is a great fall activity for grandparents and their grandchildren. Best of all, bringing apples home offers a chance for generations to meet in the kitchen to make tasty fare and pass along cooking skills.

“Apples are well-liked by kids already,” said Linda Quinn, New York Apple Association spokeswoman and registered dietitian. “You won’t be convincing them to eat something they don’t like.”

Here are a few recipes to share.


Apple Turnovers

This recipe, from www.kids-cooking-activities.com, is one the kids will love to put together, but it has many steps. So if you have a younger chef, break the steps into smaller tasks, said Debbie Madson, head chef of the site. For example, prepare the dough and the filling yourself, then call the kids in to help put the turnovers together.

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 egg, separated

3 tablespoons cold water, divided

2 cups flour

7 cups thinly sliced peeled apples (about 6)

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1. In a mixing bowl, mix cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Then have the child separate egg yolk from egg white using the shell as a tool. Chill the egg white to use later. Beat egg yolk and 2 tablespoons cold water into cream cheese mixture. Gradually beat in flour until well blended. Have child shape mixture into a ball and chill 1 hour. This will be the turnover dough.

2. In saucepan, toss apples with sugar and cinnamon. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes until apples are tender.

3. Roll pastry dough to 1/8-inch thickness; cut circles with a biscuit cutter. If you’d like bigger turnovers use a small bowl and cut out around the bowl. This might be appropriate for older children, as it calls for a higher level of precision.

4. Ask the child to top each circle with a tablespoon or more of apple mixture. Fold pastry over filling and press together with a fork.

5. In small bowl, whisk egg white and 1 tablespoon water. Have child brush over pastry and sprinkle with sugar. Place on greased cookie sheets and bake at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Serve with ice cream, if desired.


New York Apple & Tuna Pinwheels

This recipe from the New York Apple Association can be altered depending on taste, said Quinn. Some kids won’t like the taste of scallions or curry powder, so they can be omitted. But Quinn recommends leaving the apple peel on the slices, as the peel contains the phytochemicals and antioxidants that give the apple its nutritional value.

1 large New York gala apple, cored and thinly sliced by grandparent

2 8-inch flour whole wheat tortillas

2 tablespoons pureed roasted red pepper spread

1 pouch white tuna (6 1/2 ounces)

1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise

2 scallions cut in half and spiced lengthwise

Fresh ground pepper

Mild curry powder

1. Have child place the tortillas on a dinner plate and spread each with the roasted pepper spread and arrange apple slices down the center.

2. Older children can combine tuna and mayonnaise and pepper to taste. Spoon tuna mixture over the apple slices.

3. Sprinkle with curry powder. Top with scallions.

4. A grandparent can roll the wraps tightly from front to back and slice into eight slices. Turn on their side and serve as an entrée or as an appetizer. Garnish with parsley on a platter. Makes 16 pinwheels.


New York Apple Smoothie

The beauty of this recipe is its ease, Quinn said. Children can actually do all of the steps and practice their measuring skills. Grandparents can supervise and cut the apple wedge. Make substitutions to taste, Quinn said. For example, if maple syrup isn’t a favorite, substitute honey. Or use plain yogurt and add vanilla to taste.

1 cup applesauce

1 cup apple cider

1 cup vanilla non-fat yogurt

1 cup crushed ice

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1 fresh apple wedge


Have child measure first five ingredients into blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately, garnished with cinnamon on top and an apple wedge on the edge of the glass.