As the leaves start to rustle and fall, there’s something almost magical about the crispness of apples blending into savory dishes. Imagine a dinner table set with the warmth of autumn, where apples—those delightful, crunchy gems—find their unexpected soulmate in savory recipes. I’ve always found it fascinating how a simple fruit can metamorphose a meal into something extraordinary, adding depth and a hint of sweetness that lingers like a favorite song.
Steps
- Rosemary-Roasted Chicken with Apples and Potatoes: Roast chicken alongside a medley of apples, potatoes, and onions. Let the chicken drippings enhance the dish’s flavors as everything bakes together.
- “Plastered” Pork Tacos with Apple-Jalapeno Salsa: Elevate pork tacos with a salsa made from apples and jalapeños. Substitute pork with beef or shrimp if desired for a similar flavor profile.
- Momma Pritchett’s Grilled Pork Chops and Apple-Pear Topping: Grill pork chops and top with a mixture of apple and pear. Add garlic to enhance the marinade’s richness.
- Chicken and Apple Stuffing Casserole: Combine bread, apples, pecans, and cherries to create a stuffing-inspired casserole. Bake until the top is golden and crunchy.
- Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut with Apples: Slow-cook pork with sauerkraut, apples, and onions for a classic, flavorful dish. The apple adds a subtle sweetness that complements the tangy sauerkraut.
- Baked Chicken Thighs with Apples and Onions: Simmer onions in apple cider and chicken stock, then bake with chicken thighs and apples. Add cream for a rich, comforting meal.
- Fennel-Rubbed Pork Chops with Apple, Kale, and Sweet Potato: Season pork chops with fennel and pepper, then serve with apple, kale, and sweet potato. This dish is both healthy and flavorful.
- Apple-Tarragon Turkey Sloppy Joes: Use ground turkey and apples for a twist on traditional sloppy joes. Serve on butter-toasted hamburger buns for added flavor.
- Spicy Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Sweet Potatoes: Pair pork tenderloin with apples, cider, and sweet potatoes. The sweetness balances the spicy chipotle chile powder.
- Fruited Curry Chicken Salad: Mix chicken with apples and a curry dressing for a fruity, flavorful salad. Serve on croissants or in pita bread for a delicious meal.
- Asian Pork Burger: Make pork burgers seasoned with teriyaki sauce, and enjoy them with or without a bun for a flavorful option.
- Fruity Red Salmon Salad: Combine flaked salmon with apples and raisins for a wholesome lunch salad. Serve with whole wheat crackers for added texture.
- Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions: Cook apples into a sauce with onions and serve over tender pork. Use firm apples if you prefer a chunkier texture.
- Mulligatawny Soup I: Grate apples into a soup for a subtly sweet and savory flavor. The apples blend into the soup for a delicious result.
- Acorn Squash Stuffed with Apple, Cranberry, and Sausage: Fill acorn squash halves with a mixture of apple, cranberry, and sausage. This dish is perfect for a special occasion.
- Korean Spicy Chicken Tenders with Sweet Apple: Mix tender chicken with spicy Korean red pepper paste and fresh apple. Serve with rice or bread for a hearty meal.
- Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Fried Apples: Grill pork tenderloin and serve with fried apples for a quick and tasty dish. Even non-pork lovers will enjoy this meal.
- Easy Chicken Cutlets with Apples: Cook chicken cutlets with apples for a restaurant-quality dish. Pair with basmati rice for a complete meal.
- Sweet Lamb Curry: Combine lamb with apples, raisins, and spices for a mild, fragrant curry. Serve with rice and pappadums for a complete meal.
- Apple and Pork Stew: Stew pork shoulder with apples, vegetables, wine, and broth for a savory dish. The combination of flavors creates a hearty meal.
- Apple Cider Stew: Cook a stew with apple cider for a sweet and comforting fall dish. Enjoy it even more the next day.
- Brined and Stuffed Pork Loin Roast: Brine pork loin for juiciness, then stuff with apple and onion. Roast for a flavorful, tender dish.
- Baked Chicken Legs with Apples and Onions: Roast chicken legs with apples and onions for a fragrant dish. Use the pan drippings as a sauce or gravy.
- Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Apple Stuffing: Stuff pork tenderloin with an apple-onion mixture and wrap in bacon. Roast for a quick, impressive meal.
- Spicy Apple Cider-Glazed Chicken Thighs: Simmer chicken thighs in apple cider with onions and spices. Serve over rice for a complete meal. Adjust the spice level to your preference.
Ingredients
- Rosemary-Roasted Chicken with Apples and Potatoes
- Chicken
- Apples
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Rosemary
- “Plastered” Pork Tacos with Apple-Jalapeño Salsa
- Pork (or beef/shrimp for variations)
- Apples
- Jalapeños
- Fresh cilantro
- Momma Pritchett’s Grilled Pork Chops and Apple-Pear Topping
- Pork chops
- Apples
- Pears
- Garlic
- Chicken and Apple Stuffing Casserole
- Chicken
- Apples
- Pecans
- Bread
- Cherries
- Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut with Apples
- Pork
- Sauerkraut
- Apples
- Onions
- Baked Chicken Thighs with Apples and Onions
- Chicken thighs
- Apples
- Onions
- Apple cider
- Chicken stock
- Cream
- Fennel-Rubbed Pork Chops with Apple, Kale, and Sweet Potato
- Pork chops
- Apples
- Kale
- Sweet potatoes
- Ground fennel
- Pepper
- Apple-Tarragon Turkey Sloppy Joes
- Ground turkey
- Apples
- Tarragon
- Cloves
- Butter-toasted hamburger buns
- Spicy Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Sweet Potatoes
- Pork tenderloin
- Apples
- Cider
- Sweet potatoes
- Chipotle chile powder
- Fruited Curry Chicken Salad
- – Chicken
- – Apples
- – Croissant or honey pita
- Asian Pork Burger
- – Pork
- – Apples (in teriyaki sauce)
- Fruity Red Salmon Salad
- – Salmon
- – Apples
- – Raisins
- – Whole wheat crackers
- Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions
- – Pork tenderloin
- – Apples
- – Onions
- – White rice
- Mulligatawny Soup I
- – Apples
- Acorn Squash Stuffed with Apple, Cranberry, and Sausage
- – Acorn squash
- – Apples
- – Dried cranberries
- – Sausage
- – Provolone cheese
- Korean Spicy Chicken Tenders with Sweet Apple
- – Chicken tenders
- – Apples
- – Celery
- – Bell pepper
- – Korean red pepper paste
- – Rice, tortilla, pita bread, or sandwich bread
- Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Fried Apples
- – Pork tenderloin
- – Apples
- Easy Chicken Cutlets with Apples
- – Chicken cutlets
- – Apples
- – Basmati rice
- Sweet Lamb Curry
- – Lamb
- – Apples
- – Raisins
- – Rice
- – Sambals
- – Pappadums
- Apple and Pork Stew
- – Pork shoulder
- – Granny Smith apples
- – Vegetables
- – Red wine
- – Beef broth
- Apple Cider Stew
- – Apples
- – Cider
- Brined and Stuffed Pork Loin Roast
- – Pork loin
- – Apples
- – Brine
- Baked Chicken Legs with Apples and Onions
- – Chicken legs (or other cuts)
- – Apples
- – Onions
- – Rice or mashed potatoes
- Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Apple Stuffing
- – Pork tenderloin
- – Bacon
- – Apples
- – Onions
- Spicy Apple Cider-Glazed Chicken Thighs
- – Chicken thighs
- – Apples
- – Apple cider
- – Onions
- – Sambal oelek or Sriracha sauce
- – Rice or cauliflower rice
FAQ
- Can I use apples in savory dishes, or are they only for desserts?
- Absolutely, apples can be a delightful addition to savory meals. They offer a sweet and slightly tart flavor that pairs excellently with meats like pork, chicken, and beef, adding balance and depth to the dish.
- What type of apple is best for cooking in savory dishes?
- For recipes where you prefer the apple to hold its shape, a firm variety like Golden Delicious is recommended. If you want the apples to blend into the sauce, you can use a softer type.
- Can I substitute apples in these recipes with other fruits?
- Yes, you can experiment with other fruits such as pears or peaches, which can also add a sweet and tart contrast to your savory dishes, though the flavor profile may change slightly.
- Are there any vegetarian options for savory apple recipes?
- Yes, dishes like Acorn Squash Stuffed with Apple, Cranberry, and Sausage can be adapted by using vegetarian sausage, making it a satisfying vegetarian meal.
- What are some tips for incorporating apples into savory meals?
- Try adding apples to roasts or stews for a hint of sweetness, or use them in salsas and salads for a fresh, crisp element. They also work well in stuffing or as a topping for grilled meats.
Tips
- When making Rosemary-Roasted Chicken with Apples and Potatoes, take advantage of the chicken drippings to enhance the flavor of the apple, potato, and onion bake for a deliciously roasted meal.
- For “Plastered” Pork Tacos with Apple-Jalapeño Salsa, consider swapping pork with beef or shrimp for a variation, and be sure to use fresh cilantro in the salsa for an extra burst of flavor.
- In Momma Pritchett’s Grilled Pork Chops and Apple-Pear Topping, try adding garlic to the mix and doubling the marinade to elevate the dish’s taste.
- When preparing Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions, use a firm apple variety, like Golden Delicious, if you prefer having pieces of apple in your dish rather than it cooking down into the sauce.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker – Required for the “Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut with Apples” recipe.
- Mandoline Slicer – Useful for thinly slicing apples and onions uniformly.
- Spice Grinder – To freshly grind spices like fennel for the “Fennel-Rubbed Pork Chops with Apple, Kale, and Sweet Potato” recipe.
- Apple Corer/Slicer – For efficiently preparing apples for various recipes.
- Roasting Pan – For dishes like “Rosemary-Roasted Chicken with Apples and Potatoes” and other baked or roasted recipes.
- Dutch Oven – Ideal for making stews such as “Apple and Pork Stew.”
- Meat Thermometer – To ensure meats are cooked to the correct internal temperature, especially for pork and chicken dishes.
- Immersion Blender – If you prefer a smoother texture for soups like “Mulligatawny Soup I.”
- Acorn Squash Baking Dish – Specific for “Acorn Squash Stuffed with Apple, Cranberry, and Sausage.”
