Whenever I get my monthly assignment for the Secret Recipe Club, I know I have a delicious mission ahead of me. Like the months prior, this month’s mission was a fun one: find and blog about a recipe from Mangia! Chelsy, a Texan gal, is the mastermind behind Mangia and she has a wonderful outlook on life. I love her reasoning behind her blog title. She writes:
Mangia means “eat” in Italian. Now, you can’t take this word for face value. Mangia means more than eating in the physical sense, but also, eating to enjoy life. Eating is what we do best in an Italian family, it’s what we do to come together, to share stories, and to show one another love through food. Naturally, I want to share this love with you, through my recipes.
Plus, as a certified personal trainer and exercise enthusiast, many of her recipes are deliciously healthy and, because her sister has celiac, she also has a number of gluten free and vegan ricettes (recipes in Italian). With my goal to eat a little healthier this year, I added Mangia to my Google Reader so quick and have so many recipes bookmarked to play with for the fall. I mean, c’mon – doesn’t this tempt you a little bit: Fire Roasted Pumpkin Soup, the Ultimate ‘Shroom Soup, a comforting Pumpkin Butter, or this divine sounding Meyer Lemon-Lavender Tea Bread with Meyer Lemon-Lavender Glaze. Since I couldn’t make up my mind – I decided to toss a stiletto into the ring and attempt my very first fruit butter – namely this Overnight Apple Butter. I figured it would be great for the morning oatmeal, for toast or, if I wanted to channel my inner Nigella, to sneak a spoonful straight from the jar.
This recipe, while excellent, taught me more than I ever could expect from a recipe. I learned that I have no patience (no surprise there *LOL*), I have slippy finger syndrome when peeling apples – a number were sacrificed as they either slipped into the sink or went bouncing along the floor. I learned that when you buy a bag of apples from Whole Paychex, they are smaller than the average grocery store apple so plan accordingly. I also learned that my vegetable peeler will be switched out for a Rosle because, as I’m learning the hard way, the quality of the tools is vital sometimes. Perhaps those apples didn’t have to be sacrificed if I used a quality peeler because the one I have now is on its last legs. But, through it all, I learned that I can think quick on my stilettos, adjust as necessary and have fun in the kitchen and isn’t that what Mangia is about?
This Spiced Apple Butter is a recipe that I will make again (and again, and again). It is the flavors of fall and, even better – it is prepared in the slow cooker and y’all know how I love my slow cooker. I also love how she uses Mexican Vanilla, which is one of my absolute favorites!
Confession: I did make a couple errors when I was making the recipe because the apples were so small (and the slippy finger syndrome. Thankfully, I had a couple granny smiths to toss in), my liquid to apple ratio was off and I didn’t leave the lid slightly ajar while cooking overnight. Long story short, I would up with a bit of applesauce after pulsing it in the food processor. So, I quickly dumped it in the dutch oven and let it simmer on the stove for another hour and a half until it was reduced by almost half. I think I drove the SousPug mad with the smells of apples wafting through the house (which was torture because apples are one of his favorites and the vet won’t let him have any on his prescribed diet). I’m happy to report that I wound up with some divine apple butter that I promptly spread on a croissant and enjoyed while watching my new fave show, Merlin (I am finishing up the DVD of Season 3 – BBC America – hurry up and release Season 4 please!).
Chelsy – thank you for so much inspiration – I truly enjoyed my SRC assignment this month!
Now y’all – go make this recipe and MANGIA!
Ingredients
- 8-9 ginger gold apples (or any apples that you prefer), peeled, cored and sliced into wedges.
- 2 cups apple juice (you can add an extra 1/2 cup if your apples are larger)
- 1/4 cups of light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Mexican Vanilla
Directions
- Tumble the apples into the slow cooker.
- To the apples, add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, Mexican vanilla and apple juice. Stir well and place the lid on slightly ajar.
- Turn the slow cooker on low for 12 hours or so.
- After the mixture has cooked, turn the slow cooker off and allow the mixture to cool for an hour or so.
- Transfer the entire apple mixture to a food processor and puree.
- If the mixture is not thick enough to your liking, transfer to a dutch oven and simmer on low until reduced a bit.
- Put the apple butter into individual canning jars and enjoy!
Notes
Slightly adapted from Chelsy of Mangia's recipe
Note: If you are canning the apple butter, make sure to process according to canning instructions. If not, it will keep in the fridge for a while.
Gather the ingredients
Adding the spices
Time for the Apple Juice (you could use cider if you wish or even add a splash of Bourbon)
Stewed Apple Goodness – Time To Puree!
Not as I thought – time to thicken in the Le Creuset
Mmmmmmmm – the flavors of fall!
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Aly! You are too sweet! This is by far the best Secret Recipe write-up I have ever received! I am so flattered! I am so glad you chose this recipe, I am absolutely addicted to this apple butter and cannot wait to enjoy it in the fall as well! I love putting a dollop in my yogurt and on my biscuits, I even smear a bit over my omelets! Its so darn good and you did such a beautiful job! Looks amazingly tasty! Thank you so much! I will be adding your blog to my reader asap!
MANGIA!
misschelsmangia recently posted..Secret Recipe Club
When I saw that you put it on your eggs, I thought “WHA?” and then when I tasted it – I can see why – it’s DELICIOUS! I think I’m going to hoard the jars and not share with my neighbors
Loved having your blog this month and will be visiting often!
Love the spices in this…perfect as we approach apple harvest time. Sounds as though you had a “save” by being innovative! Great choice.
Kate recently posted..Apple-Cinnamon Bread Pudding with Creamy Bourbon Sauce
Thanks Kate!
Twitter: one_curly_fry
says:
Apple Butter reminds me of my Grandmother! She always had that in the fridge. She loved buying that from the Amish Farm stand!
jen recently posted..Dîner en Blanc is coming to Philadelphia!
Amish farm stand? Hmmm… do you think they sell this at RTM?
Twitter: thefreshmancook
says:
What a great recipe! I love all the flavors, and I can’t wait to try this!
It sounds like fall!
Teri recently posted..Southwestern Stuffed Peppers~SRC Day!
You’ll have to let me know how it works out Teri!
Twitter: melissa_826
says:
Delicious! This looks like such a simple recipe and it is certainly helping me get in the mood for fall
Melissa recently posted..Dulce de Leche Brownies
It’s definitely simple – I think the patience lesson came from peeling the apples. Chelsy peels hers after they cook – I just was difficult and peeled them before
Looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it.
Let me know how it works out for you Chellie!
Twitter: creativkitchen
says:
Aly,
I LOVE apple butter and this one sounds amazing!
Denise recently posted..Amazing sandwich buns in 60 minutes ~ Secret Recipe Club
It’s times like this I wish I lived back in Florida – I’d be giving you a jar instead of pulling a “It’s All Mine” act here in Philly
Twitter: catholicKitchen
says:
What a wonderful apple butter. You picked a great recipe.
veronica gantley recently posted..Preserved Lemons and SRC
Thanks Veronica!
Twitter: theavidappetite
says:
I am really, really ready for the fall – its temperature and its flavors! This apple butter would be a perfect addition
Rachel recently posted..Spinach Ricotta Spread with Parmesean Chips
I’m ready for the fall temperatures, flavors and the shoes – ahhh – the fall fashion season… let me shush *LOL*
It’s almost apple season! I totally want to make this when we get all of our apples in! Great choice!
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy recently posted..BBQ, Bacon & Cheddar Smokehouse Chicken Melt
You definitely need to make this – just make sure that you don’t get cursed with munchkin apples like I did
Look delicious! Really I love this recipe!
gloria recently posted..White chocolate and raspberry fudge dessert
Not as delish as your raspberry and white chocolate dish – now that made me want to go home and cook now!
I can’t wait to go apple picking! I always make my homemade applesauce in the slow cooker, so I can’t wait to try this in there too.
Thanks for highlihgting your goofs you made with this recipe (we all make them)…you probably saved me the trouble of making the goofs myself.
Thanks Gretchen!!! I did the proverbial “Gibbs” slap ala NCIS and would hate to see any of y’all pull the shenanigans I did. I definitely have to do applesauce next (and get a food mill too – i think it would have better texture than my food processor.
Twitter: AmandaRCochrane
says:
This looks so delicious! Fall is coming!
Amanda Rose recently posted..My Birthday Weekend
Twitter: chrisseskitchen
says:
Such ambition and dedication! Looks like the results were totally worth it and will pay dividends for a long time to come. Great pick!
Christine recently posted..SRC: Homemade Nutella
Apple butter reminds me of my childhood…and now I have a huge craving! Sounds like the perfect recipe!!!
Liz recently posted..Perfect Rib Eye Steaks…Guest Post~
This takes me back to my mom’s kitchen.
Twitter: EMakingMemories
says:
My Dad loves apple butter. I’m going to bookmark this for this winter! Thanks.
Erin recently posted..Double Chocolate Snowball Cookies {Secret Recipe Club}
Twitter: cooklisacook
says:
What sweet memories as my Grandmother used to make spiced apple butter very similar to this, delicious.If you haven’t already, I’d love for you to check out my group “A” SRC entry: Chicken Satay Noodle Salad.
Lisa~~
Lisa~~ recently posted..Thai Curry Shrimp with Shirataki Noodles
Twitter: greenyourclean
says:
Looking forward to making this tonight. Cooking not really what I do, but you’ve inspired me!
Leslie, the cleaning coach recently posted..Julia Child – Cleaning Up In The Kitchen
Twitter: NevrEnoughThyme
says:
Apple season is just around the corner here in north Georgia. I’m filing this recipe away for some of those delicious fall apples that will be coming my way soon!
Lana recently posted..Chicken and Mushroom Casserole
Will have to whip this up after all the fall apple picking!
Feast on the Cheap recently posted..Asiago Garlic Knots
I’m soooooooooo happy I saw this post !
This would be perfect to Rosh-Hashana that we celebrate next month
I’m definitely making this
THANKS!
Twitter: tkwblog
says:
Could you send a jar of that my way??? Please
Twitter: redhedprincess
says:
Mmm..that looks Amazing! btw…I awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award! Visit my site to see the details. http://www.theredheadedprincess.com
Twitter: GastroSovereign
says:
eating “italian” is how i roll, yo.
also, with apples coming into season very shortly, i will be making a batch of this. can you imagine it on ice cream?
kristy recently posted..Sauteed Summer Squash with New Garlic
Twitter: tandysinclair
says:
This looks fantastic. I have only tried making apple butter once and it was a mitigated disaster
Love making apple butter every fall after we go apple picking here in Georgia. It makes the house smell amazing. That’s the one time of year I actually use that apple peeling gadget that I keep way in the back of the cabinet. It makes those slippery buggers easy to skin and core. You can often find them in yard sales. Before that gadget I was loosing them down the drain too!
Aimee recently posted..Tropical Pink Dragonfruit Limeade
Twitter: erink_13
says:
Wow!! That looks soooo good and I can just imagine how amazing your house smelled while it was simmering away. Awesome choice for SRC!
Erin recently posted..Summer Berry Flan
Twitter: bigbearswife
says:
Perfect Fall Recipe! yum!
Angie recently posted..Strawberry ShortCake Trifle