Ok - I haven’t been keeping up with the apples. I still have A LOT of local apples in my fridge. It seems each recipe only calls for one or two and I need to make a dent. I didn’t make the apple crepes - after the apple excitement wore off, I realized it was just too sweet for dinner that day, and we ordered Thai - which wasn’t good anyway. So yesterday I made the sausages with apples and onions. If you like sauerkraut, you’ll like this. I hate sauerkraut and wasn’t a big fan of this recipe. Johnathan however ate his half, plus 3/4 of mine. This is easy, and another one pan dish that is perfect for a rainy miserable day. Today, I’m supposed to make cider-braised pheasant, although I’m using cornish hens. It’s a long recipe and needs to be started the night before. We have leftovers for lunch, and are going to Korea town with some friends for dinner tonight, therefore hens are getting pushed to tomorrow, possibly Sunday. Stay tuned.

As you can see, I don’t have a pic of the amazing pork roast I made for our friends last night. The recipe calls for tenderloin, but the butcher suggested using a center cut pork roast since it was for six people. He butterflyed it which made it easy to stuff. I did end up tying it with kitchen twine to keep it all together. Along with the roast I made garlic red bliss mashed potatoes. Pork and potatoes are perfect together. We also had a couple pieces of the pork left for a great cold pork sandwich for lunch today.

I needed that pork sandwich after meeting JAMIE OLIVER! He was signing his new book, Jamie at Home, at a Border’s in Manhattan. Myself and couple of my fellow friends stood in line and were so excited to meet him in person. He’s really down to Earth, friendly, exactly how he appears on television. It was such a treat - I can’t wait to cook from his new book. Jamie - when are you opening a place stateside?

Today was a turning point for me - I got the right cut of meat and advice from a great butcher at the Union Square Whole Foods!  I went in for a pork tenderloin, and after asking me what I wanted to do with it (stuff it with apples!) he recommended a center cut pork roast better for serving 6 people. AND, before I could ask, he offered to butterfly it so I can stuff away! AND it was half the price of the tenderloins! I was blown away. Something simple like that makes my grocery shopping such a joy. A little knowledge and customer service does go a long way. I lost my Trader Joe’s receipt, so I’ll just give a gist and what my bank account said I withdrew. The farmer’s markets are great right now - lots of apples, squashes, and a lot less sweating carrying your booty home. Here are the totals for this week:

Trader Joe’s (cheeses, frozen peas, raisins, apple cider, tarragon) = $21.73

Union Square Greenmarket

Potatoes (Yukon and Red Bliss), Parsnips, Carrots - $6.75

Granny Smith Apples - $2.50

Bell Peppers - $5.00

Rosemary, Thyme - $3.00

* 2 Cornish Game Hens bought on sale - $8.50

Grand Total - $84.86/2ppl/10 meals = $4.24/person/meal

I bought two 5lb bags of apples last week, ambitious to make apple sauce. I didn’t get around to it, but I thought about how great apples are as a savory element to dinners. I don’t fancy myself a baker, so this week I’m making apple recipes without extra sugar. Apples pair really well with meats like pork and sausage and I think have a great fall flavor when they’re actually in season. Here’s what I”m thinking for this week:

Monday - Pork Loin stuffed with Apples and Red Bliss Mashed Potatoes - we’re having some dinner guests, I think this well be most impressive.

Tuesday - Chicken Normande with Mashed Apples and Potatoes

Wednesday - Apple Crepes with Calavados Butter Sauce - this has some apple brandy in it - I can’t wait to try this.

Thursday - Pan-grilled Sausages with Apples and Onions (two things apples love)

Friday - Cider-brined Cornish Hens with Pearl Onions and Apples - I picked up a couple hens on sale and froze them, they’ll be perfect - a Thanksgiving trial run!