I’ve recently become a complete convert to apple cider vinegar, and am loving using it for making herbal vinegars, vinaigrettes and of course for fire cider. The best apple cider vinegar has the ‘mother’ retained in it so that you can benefit from all the healthy probiotics. I was so excited to discover that apple cider vinegar is simple to make at home and a great zero-waste solution as well. Homemade apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a great use for windfall apples if you have a tree in your … [Read more...]
Wild Apple Cider Recipe
I have always loved the idea of making cider completely from scratch from my own apples. I was put off this for a while because I thought you had to have specific cider apples that are different from the sweeter eating apples. But then I saw a recipe in the NZ Gardener magazine for apple cider that you could make with cooking apples (or by adding a few crabapples if you only had sweet eating apples). I had a good crop of apples this year so it was a great opportunity to try something new. I … [Read more...]
Lambswool Wassail Recipe
I was inspired to try making Lambswool Wassail by a recipe in the NZ Gardener magazine this autumn. The drink is made with a sweet-spiced hot cider (or ale) and apples that are cooked until frothy. I had just harvested lots of windfall apples and had made a batch of homemade cider, so I had all the ingredients to hand. I was also totally intrigued by the name Lambswool Wassail and where it came from. The lambswool part is believed to have come from being served at the ancient Celtic pagan … [Read more...]
Making Apple Wine
Making Apple Wine wasn't as successful as my other efforts making feijoa wine and wine from white eating grapes. It has eventually turned out to be drinkable but a lot of hassle and heartache to get there and still not as I would have liked. I will share my experiences because there are lots of learnings for other budding wine makers. My previous efforts at making wine have been based on the generic recipe and instructions for making fruit wine on the very helpful makewine.co.nz website. And … [Read more...]
Chocolate Apple Cake
Although my ballerina apple trees only produced 4 apples this year, it was enough to make my favourite chocolate apple cake. It is light and moist, and easy to blitz together in the food processor. It is great as a cake or as a dessert. 2-3 apples 125g butter (melted) 1 egg 1 cup sugar 1 1/2 cup flour 2 tbsp cocoa 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp baking soda Food processor - chop unpeeled apples, add remaining ingredients in the order given. Process in short bursts until combined. Turn into … [Read more...]