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Grassroots news, views, issues and culture from across the north west of Northern Ireland, with a full news and sport round-up.

2 hours

Last on

Wed 28 Oct 2015 13:00

Toffee Apples Recipe

Toffee Apples Recipe

This traditional Halloween treat can be made really simply at home - be careful when working with the hot syrup, especially if you have little helpers! Brian says, for extra fun, add popping candy instead of nuts.


Makes 6

Ingredients:
6 Cox apples 
6 small wooden ice lolly sticks  
225g granulated sugar 
110ml/4fl oz water 
2 tbsp golden syrup 
4 tbsp finely chopped mixed nuts

Method:
Push the wooden sticks halfway into the apples at the stalk end. 
Dissolve the sugar and water in a thick-bottomed pan over a gentle heat. 
Add the syrup to the mixture and bring to the boil. 
Continue to boil, without stirring, until the toffee reaches 140C/275F (use a sugar thermometer to measure this). 
Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool slightly. 
Carefully dip each apple into the toffee, making sure each apple is well coated. 
Coat with chopped nuts and set aside to harden on a baking try lined with non-stick parchment or cling film.

Autumn Casserole of Sausage, Pumpkin, Garden Apple & Sage Recipe

Autumn Casserole of Sausage, Pumpkin, Garden Apple & Sage Recipe

This is a great simple nutritious stew using great flavours of Pumpkin, Sausages, Apples and garden herb of Sage and Thyme. With quality sausages now a protein choice in Irish homes and apple and pumpkin plentiful at moment it makes this dish an affordable and rewarding meal for these Autumn evenings.

Serves 8

Ingredients                        
8 Traditional Sausages of your choice from your local butcher
1 Onion Diced
2 Carrots Diced
3 Cloves Garlic
2 Apples
25g Flour
100ml Cider or Apple Juice
1 litre Chicken Stock
1 Small pumpkin
1 Sweet Potato
White of 1 Leek
2 Tablespoons Rapeseed Oil
Pinch Fresh Ground Black Pepper
8 Fresh Leaves Sage
3 Sprigs Thyme

Method
Preheat oven to 160C
Chop garlic, leek then finely dice onion and apples.
Peel & dice the sweet potato and carrots.
Heat casserole dish add the Rapeseed Oil and fry sausages until golden in colour. 
Remove the sausages and set them aside.
To the casserole dish add onions, garlic, leek, carrots and sweat for 2-3 minutes.
Add 5 sage leaves and thyme together with the pumpkin & Sweet Potato.
Now add flour and mix through followed by the Cider. Reduce cider slightly then add the stock.
Add the chopped apples. Replace the sausages back in to casserole.
Season with some black pepper. Transfer to oven for approx 30 - 40 minutes.
Serve with chopped sage leaves
Serve in a casserole dish family style in middle of table and let everyone help themselves. 

Brian’s Tips:
Replace Pumpkin with Butternut Squash.
This recipe is also great with Red lentils
Serving this casserole inside a pumpkin for your Halloween celebrations 

Broadcast

  • Wed 28 Oct 2015 13:00