Wood Fired Apple WOOD-FIRED APPLES MAKE THE BEST CAKE
WOOD-FIRED APPLES MAKE THE BEST CAKE
As the second most consumed fruit in the USA, apples are loaded with antioxidant benefits and have been found to have extensive benefit to the colon due to the high level of gut bacteria present in its polyphenols. Plus, this is a fruit that is readily available all year long making it an ideal choice for cooking.
We are taking the Gala variety and putting them over a coal fire for wood-fired flavor in our apple pie cake. Pick your favorite variety of apple and get out the charcoal grill for this fun and simple technique and recipe.
When your craving salad but our tired of the same boring options, take it a step further and feed all your senses with the Smoke Pear Salad with Gorgonzola from SmokinLicious®!
This is a very simple salad once you’ve followed our segment on smoking fresh pears. With pears in season during the colder months, it’s a great time to get your serving of greens. So, let’s get started with what you will need for Smoked Pear Salad with Gorgonzola:
One of the easiest techniques to do with fruit on a gas or charcoal grill is wood firing peaches. Take advantage of the season with this fruit by bringing different flavors and textures for great recipe. Why not start with my recipe for a summer gazpacho that will cool you off during the hot season. It’s time to take advantage of the summer harvest with fresh peaches and yellow tomatoes for fabulous summer cuisine
Fresca Cocktail with Strawberries is very easy. Merely cut your strawberries and place them on your grill to enhance their flavor then process into a flavorful drink.
If you enjoy fruity drinks or smoothies, then the Smoked Strawberry Aqua Fresca is perfect! Using seasonal fresh strawberries will bring this to the ultimate flavor height but any store purchased variety will work as well. This is the perfect cocktail for a summer event or as a non-alcoholic refresher on an exceptionally warm summer day. Get ready as we tell you how to do the smoking technique then construct this fabulous drink.
Strawberry Rhubarb Fool–Fresh rhubarb means great recipes most of which consist of dessert! This one is no exception. Not only am I going to use smoked rhubarb but I’m including smoked strawberry as well.
Fresh strawberries are pretty much available all year, so why not do something different with this fruit favorite and try your hand at smoking them! One of the easiest methods for controlling the smoke level to a fruit is to use a hand held food smoker.
These finished smokey baked apples are a wonderful fall treat! Easy to do on the gas grill with a two-zone cooking method with wood chunks.
SEASONAL SMOKEY BAKED APPLES WITH SWEET STUFFING
Listen to the smokey baked apples blog!
Apple season is here and I’ve found some beauties to make a simple but super sweet and flavorful recipe. And of course, I’m taking it to the grill to let the apple get a kiss of smoke while tenderizing. With so many varieties of apples available, you can pick your favorite and use this filling for the perfect stuffed apple.
In my home state of New York, there are over 25 varieties of apples. Since these can be cold stored, they are available year-round but there is nothing like the fresh harvest. In fact, controlled atmosphere storage was pioneered in New York State.
Whether served as the dessert or a sweet side dish is up to you but either way, you’re going to love the ease of making this dish and consuming all its seasonal goodness. Pick your favorite variety of apple and get ready to stuff them with goodness everyone is going to love! Smokey baked apples done on the grill, cleanup is a breeze!
Apple Preparation
I’ll be using my gas grill for this recipe so I start by lighting only half the burners on my grill which I’ve added a smoker box that contains 3 hardwood chunks. This will provide for the great smoke flavor to the apples. While the grill heats up to about 375°F, I prepare the Macintosh apples. First, wash and pat dry the apples. You can use an apple corer to remove the core but note you do not want to produce a clean hole through the entire apple. We want to produce an opening for adding the stuffing but we don’t want it to run out of the apples. I like to use a small, sharp knife, cut into the apple stem end about ¾-inch from the stem making a circle. Remove the core membrane and seeds leaving a firm base to the apple for filling.
Tasting Notes: Although I’ve selected Macintosh apples to know any variety will do. Just note, if the apples are significantly larger, you will need to make an additional filling.
Sweet Stuffing
With our apples cored, it’s time to make the sweet filling before heading to the grill. First, know I like to use a disposable foil pan to make clean up a breeze. In that pan, I place a roasting rack so the apples will be exposed to radiant heat all the way around the apple. I’m making ten stuffed apple but I will give you the ingredients needed for making eight apples.
Place 1 stick of softened butter in a bowl. Add 1 cup of light brown sugar, ½ cup chopped pecans, and 1-1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. I prefer to mix this with my hand to ensure good distribution of the ingredients. Taking a small amount of the mixed filling, I form a log shape and insert into the apple opening, pressing down to make sure this is filled to the top of the apple. Once all the apples are filled, I head to the grill with my pan.
Tasting Notes: The stuffing for this apple recipe can be easily modified. Feel free to swap the pecan for another nut like walnut, hazelnut or almond. For spices, consider adding ginger, allspice, and clove either in addition to or in place of the cinnamon.
No Fuss Grilling
Once at the grill, I check to ensure my wood chunks are smoking well. I place my pan of prepared apples on the unlit side of the grill and pour enough water into the pan to coat the bottom by about 1-inch. This will allow moisture into the cooking area to get the apples very tender in a short amount of time. I usually check the apples after 45 minutes and rotate the pan if needed. When the apples are tender and the filling browned, these are ready and can be removed from the grill-#grilledapples.
Tasting Notes: Note that if you elect to use a charcoal grill the smoke infusion produced will be stronger. You are encouraged to still use a two-zone set up on the charcoal grill to keep the sugars from burning.
Serve ‘Em Up
Once the apples are tender and the filling browned, it’s time to remove the apples and prepare to serve them. There are many options for an accompaniment to the apples. Today, I’m using a vanilla bean ice cream that I’ve sliced into wedges. Certainly, the apples can be served with whipped topping, another flavor of ice cream, a vanilla custard or pudding, or even a slice of hard or rind cheese. These are best if served warm. Don’t forget, if any filling is left, add to a pureed squash for another great recipe. That’s why I always make extra!
Our Grilled Peaches for the perfect salad addition with sweet onion, Tomatoes, and fresh herbs!
GRILLEDPEACHES FOR THE PERFECT SALAD ADDITION
If you’ve been a follower of our recipes and techniques for a while, then you’re aware of our preference to grill, smoke, coal cook, and ember fire in-season produce. Peaches are no exception!
I’ve got my two quarts of fresh peaches and a plan to grill these on the charcoal grill using charwood coals. Then I’ll use my luscious smoked peaches in a salad that features two additional seasonal ingredients – tomato and shallots.
Get your chimney starter of charwood or charcoal and meet me at the grill for this quick technique and recipe featuring peaches.
Grilled raspberries is a recipe basic for a mini tart with Brie and smoky raspberries on top- Yummy!
GRILLED RASPBERRIES FOR THE ULTIMATE MINI TART APPETIZER
Known to help aid weight loss, be a cancer preventer, and assist your autoimmune system, raspberries are one of the fresh fruits that can have a short availability depending on where you live. I like to take advantage of the fresh harvest and use them of course in desserts but I also like to blend them with savory items for a perfect bite of balanced flavors.
That’s why I’m taking fresh raspberries and smoking them first to enrich their flavor then combining them with creamy brie cheese for a great, five-ingredient appetizer.
Take a trip to your fresh produce stand, farmer’s market, or even the grocery store and pick up some raspberries for this easy recipe.
