Alright, let’s talk about them Stouffer’s Harvest Apples, you know, the ones they don’t make no more. Broke my heart, it did, when I couldn’t find ’em for Christmas dinner. So, what’s a body to do? Gotta make your own, that’s what! I ain’t no fancy cook, mind you, but I can throw together some apples and make ’em taste good. This here ain’t gonna be no perfect copy, but it’ll get you close, real close.
First off, you gotta get yourself some apples. Don’t matter too much what kind, but I like them Granny Smiths, the green ones, ’cause they’re tart and hold up good when you cook ’em. But if you got some other kind, that’s fine too. Just don’t use them mushy ones, you know, the ones that are already halfway gone. You’ll need a bunch, maybe six or eight, depending on how big they are and how many folks you’re feedin’.
Now, you gotta peel them apples. I ain’t got no fancy peeler, just a regular ol’ knife. Take your time, don’t wanna cut your fingers off. Once they’re peeled, you gotta core ’em and slice ’em up. I like to slice ’em kinda thick, not too thin, so they don’t turn to mush when you cook ’em. But you do it how you like, it ain’t gonna make or break it.
Next, you need a pan. A big ol’ skillet is what I use, the kind you can fry chicken in. Put a good chunk of butter in there, maybe a quarter cup or so. Let it melt down on medium heat, don’t want it burnin’. Then, dump them apples in the pan.
- Important stuff: Now, here’s where it gets good. You gotta add some sugar, ’cause them apples ain’t sweet enough on their own. I use about half a cup of brown sugar, but you can use white sugar if that’s all you got. And a little bit of cinnamon, maybe a teaspoon or so. That’s what gives it that warm, cozy flavor. Some folks like to add a little nutmeg too, but I don’t always bother.
- Secret Ingredient: And here’s a little trick I learned from my grandma: a pinch of salt. Yep, salt. Sounds crazy, I know, but it just makes the sweetness pop. Don’t use too much, just a little pinch will do.
Okay, so you got your apples, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in the pan. Now you gotta cook ’em down. Stir ’em around every now and then, so they don’t stick to the bottom. You want ’em to get soft, but not mushy. It’ll take maybe fifteen or twenty minutes, depending on how high your heat is and how thick you sliced your apples.
While they’re cookin’, you can add a little bit of water if they start to stick. Just a tablespoon or two at a time, don’t wanna drown ’em. And if you want ’em a little thicker, you can mix a little bit of cornstarch with some water and stir it in at the end. That’ll thicken up the sauce real nice. But I don’t always bother with that, sometimes I like ’em a little bit runny.
Now, once them apples are cooked, you can eat ’em right away, or you can save ’em for later. They’re good hot or cold. You can eat ’em as a side dish, just like Stouffer’s, or you can use ’em in other things. They’re good in pies, or on top of pancakes, or even just by themselves with a scoop of ice cream. Heck, you can even put ’em in a chicken salad sandwich if you want, ain’t no rules when it comes to cookin’.
And don’t forget, if you’re making a big batch, you can definitely preserve them. Make some applesauce, some apple butter – you know, like the old days. That way, you got apples all year round, not just when they’re in season. It’s a good way to use up all them extra apples when they are cheap at the store or you got a good haul from your own tree.
So there you have it, my not-so-fancy, but mighty tasty, copycat Stouffer’s Harvest Apples. It ain’t exactly the same, but it’s close enough for me. And it’s a whole lot cheaper than buying them frozen ones, if you could even find ’em anymore. Give it a try, you might just like it. And if you don’t, well, at least you tried somethin’ new, right? That’s what life’s all about, tryin’ new things and makin’ the best of what you got.
Tags: [Stouffer’s Harvest Apples, Copycat Recipe, Apple Recipe, Homemade Apples, Easy Recipe, Side Dish, Comfort Food, Fall Recipe, Apple Compote, Preserving Apples]
