Every day we get to enjoy the apple trees thru our kitchen window. Some years more fruitful than others ~ no telling how long the trees have been there, they are vintage for sure ~ mostly producing small ol’ baking apples and crab apples alike. They attract many characters such as deer, bear and ground hogs….naming a few as if they were pets, we’ve gotten to know a few repeat customers.
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I’ve been wanting to create a table setting using the apples for a while now….well I really wanted to pull the table up to the apple tree and play with a table setting and my camera, but my fear got the best of me, wondering what my neighbors would think, lol…..so I settled for picking a few apples and branches and setting the table indoors. Scaling back the excitement just a bit.
Wanting the setting to feel like a cozy autumn afternoon, settling in for an evening of comfort with friends and family ~ sharing a meal together of Apples & Sausage Stew, enjoying with ‘remember-when’ conversation and a few laughs too.
Using what I had….the table was set with a piece of denim cloth (…I mean really, what else would I use), then adding my Grandmothers milk-glass cake pedestal as a centerpiece. The apples from the backyard were gathered and placed onto the pedestal.
Each place setting was created using dollar store finds….the dishes, the glassware and the chambray napkins too. I also tucked in some ribbon found at ‘hobby lobby’ reading ‘I love you a bushel and a peck‘….fitting for the table settings.
Tucking an apple into the bowl for each guest…..all the makings for a pretty-inexpensive-use-what-you-have table scape!
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We are not the type of folks that mix our fruits in with our meals or add bacon to our cupcakes…but a recipe found in Country Living Magazine peeked my interest for Apple & Sausage Stew. I think I changed every ingredient listed to suit our taste-buds….and I would say it is another keeper.
Enjoy ‘Our’ Recipe below….change to suit your taste-buds.
Classic Apples & Sausage Stew
Ingredients
- olive oil (swish over bottom of dutch oven)
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 3 large white potatoes chopped (the original recipe called for a fennel bulb cored and cut)
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1/2 Gala apple (eat the rest) cored and diced (the original recipe called for a whole apple)
- a pinch or two of dried oregano (original recipe called for fresh thyme leaves)
- 1 pound fresh country sausage, casings removed (original recipe called for 3/4 sweet italian sausage)
- 4 tsp all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cup chicken broth/stock (original recipe called for 1/4 c white wine and the remaining chicken stock)
- 1 1/2 TB red wine vinegar
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed
- 1 large egg (to wash puff pastry)
- pinch of nutmeg and parsley (on original recipe) ~ I did not include.
Directions
- Preheat Oven 375 F, lightly grease 4 6oz bowls (original recipe called for 6 3 1/2″ ramekins)
- Heat olive oil in dutch oven, then add onion and potatoes seasoned with salt and pepper. Cook and stir until tender (about 8 minutes). Add apple and oregano. Continue cooking about another 4 minutes. Transfer to bowl for a moment.
- Add Sausage to dutch oven and while cooking continue to break into small pieces. Cook until brown (about 7 minutes). Return vegetables to dutch oven.
- Stir to combine, then add flour and cook for 2 additional minutes. Then add chicken broth and cook ~ stirring until thickened (about 3 mintues).
- Stir in vinegar and additional oregano if desired.
- Divide mixture among prepared bowls.
- Unfold puff pasty and cut into four squares, then cover each bowl. Brush each top with egg. Cut hole thru center of each.
- Bake until puffed and golden about 25 minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Feels and Tastes like Autumn has arrived.
Do you see the hand-loomed pot holder above….my favorite! Thanks Sue!
Good Food, Good Company, Good Conversation ~ makes for a perfect evening…..and a pretty table never hurts anyone (not even the pocket-book).
Feels like Autumn and all it’s Goodness!
Enjoy!
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coming soon ~ Autumn Vignette, Building Character, Day-planner Plans, A Good Book, and Paper Hat Black Cat FB Live!
Here are a few extra photos….just because.
Interesting recipe. LOVE the table setting!
Looks beautiful, my friend! 🙂 I am going to try that recipe. 🙂
Enjoy Sheila! Thank you!
Your table settings are always cozy and beautiful. Like the recipe too. Thanks for sharing
Enjoy and thank you! I hope you have the opportunity to create the Stew to your tastebuds!