Well I guess you can say I was lost in the woods for awhile and the summer ‘heat’ got the best of me. Now that things have cooled off a bit, I’m back in action and getting all kinds of ideas for blogs.

Fall is one of my favorite times of year- the cool crisp air, being able to wear cozy sweaters and slippers, and enjoying fall’s seasonal food such as squash and apples.

We order apples by the bushel at the cheese shop I work at and they (as some may know) compliment cheese beautifully. The many different varietals are overwhelming. You got your McIntosh, Gala, Empire, and Honey Crisp, and lesser known varietals such as Roxbury Russets, Cox Orange Pippin, Mutsu or Northern Spy. Each of them have varying flavor and texture profiles.

I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel (of course) when I say cheese goes with apples. Salty, earthy and nutty characteristics in particular cheeses are just perfect next to the tart, sweet and crisp fruit.
Besides the obvious and traditional Cheddar and apples some other cheeses that I found work well with apples are aged Gouda, Gruyere and even washed rind cheeses like Epoisses or Grayson from Virginia.

I might as well open up a can of worms and say that I enjoy a sharp cheddar on top of my apple pie. The tradition is said to have originated in Yorkshire England, but I believe us New Englanders take the cake (er.. pie..) for this tradition.

Here’s a few recipes that I found particularly interesting involving cheese and apples and some pictures I took having fun with food and friends:

Apple Pie Icecream

Apple and Green Chili Pie

Deep-Dish Apple Pie with Cheddar Crust

Share some recipes or ideas about apples you have too! I look forward to comments.

-Austin

P.S. Don’t ask me for the recipe to that apple pie. You can’t have it! My girlfriend will kill me.