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Normandy State of Mind


It’s definitely apple weather here in Paris and all I want to do is go to my château in Normandy, pick apples and make apple butter. The only problem is that I do not have a château in Normandy. The other problem is that I would have to teach my caregivers how to pick apples and how to make apple butter but considering my caregiver told me today that she “did not know how to use an oven” I’m pretty sure that apple butter is not in my future.

I have been addicted to apple butter since I was young. In the 1970s, my mother and grandmother would take my sister, brother and me to Amish country and we would buy our apple butter from the Amish off of the back of their horse-drawn carts because they are the experts. Don’t let my Parisian lifestyle fool you, I am pure hillbilly at heart. I used to eat apple butter out of a Mason jar with a spoon. I didn’t even bother putting it on toast. Then, because my family is the original know it all, do it yourself, crafty homemakers ala Martha Stewart… We started making our own apple butter. Look look look…

That is my fancy, pearl wearing, country club going, snobby grandmother…making apple butter…outside! My family is such a dichotomy. We will cut down our own Christmas trees but we’ve never taken out the trash on our own. We will build and paint our own gazebo but we don’t do our own manicures. We will lay brick around the pool but we’ve never cleaned the pool on our own. We will gut a turkey but we’ve never washed our own cars. We are all about getting down and dirty…but in a certain context. Do you hate me?
In homage to the autumnal weather, apple season, fall leaves and my imaginary Normandy château, 
let’s cook up some delicious apple recipes! I have curated a little selection of sweet and savory apple recipes that will get us through the crisp weather and keep us cozy. To see the recipes, click on the title.



 






 

 


 
A toute!

22 comments:

  1. Apple butter, Ellie? Apple butter? From one expat to another that is clearly below the belt. Especially as I lived for a 'spell' just outside of Amish country and so yes, I know what the real stuff tastes like. I was wincing as I scrolled down ;) with all of these apple butter and cheddar recipes. Cruel I tell ya! Ok, now I will try to be "courageuse" and look and see if I could make it, lazy cook that I am. Something, frankly, that would have never occurred to me in a million years...
    PS. By the looks of things you have boarded up the front door to your chateau. Not accepting visitors I see?

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  2. I get a kick out of your family! My family is ALL down and dirty... As an adult, I have gotten many scoldings that I shouldn't be doing things myself. I am learning to refine the motto "If you want something done right and done right now, do it yourself!", to "If you want something done right and any energy to do other, more interesting things, learn how to teach!".
    Loved reading your blog and some of the stories in the linked blogs today... As always, thanks for sharing!

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  3. I think I bought APPLE BUTTER for HEATHER of LOST IN ARLES when we went to a wedding in PA.a few years ago...........Heather......I see you have already commented but hopefully this will pull YOU back...........did I not send you APPLE BUTTER from AMISH COUNTRY.......or am I making that up!I know I had NEVER heard of it before you must have told me about it??!!!
    I adore the CHATEAU...........ADORE.........I could move in sight unseen..............THAT IS ME TO A CAPITAL T!!!!!!!!!!
    I found the red box pie crust!Was not easy as I have never eaten the dinner rolls in a tube before........finally found it and I LAUGHED OUT LOAD in the SUPER MARKET!I am making the GREEN BEANS RIGHT NOW!Can't wait for THURSDAY.............have my recipes planned and can hardly wait to start the PREP.......THANK YOU as I have NEVER really enjoyed TURKEY DAY COOKING as much as I will this year.........it's as if YOU will be here with me!!I have READ the cookbook front to back and BACK to FRONT three times!!!!XOXOXOX
    PS.YOUR room is READY on MONDAY...........when can I expect YOU and French Husband?

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    1. You are going to have a great Thanksgiving! I hope your Italian husband likes Thanksgiving dinner as much as we do! Put the blackamoor planter in my freshly painted room and I will be there Monday! Ha! I wish. XOXO

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    2. Which one the BOY or the GAL?I know I know..............BOTH!I owe you photos of the planters!Yikes........I forgot.........Off to photo and email YOU!
      XO

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    3. Yep Contessa, you did!! And you also sent me a medal from the town where I lived - York, Pa which crazily enough is a sister city to Arles, France. The apple butter was the real kind, so dark that it was brown...ahhhh!!!! You are such a good egg, chere Contessa. Ellie, you already know that. :)

      In that box there was also those great burlap bags with the fleur de lys on them too. I need to find them...

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    4. The GREEN BEANS from ELLIE's cookbook are DELICIOUS.......even the ITALIAN husband gave them a thumbs UP!!!XOXO

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  4. I had to google apple butter bc I couldn't figure out how butter would mash with apples...oh well, you probably don't know the joys of Vegemite so we might be even.

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    1. My English roommate when I was in my 20s used to keep Vegemite in the refrigerator but I don't exactly know what it is nor have I ever eaten it. Should I? Is it good?

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    2. HORRID!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      Those AUSSIES LOVE IT!
      FULL of protein I think!!Like our Peanut Butter!Believe me our PB hands down WINS.........sorry AUSTRALIANS......as my dear Australian friend said,"Contessa it is an acquired taste!"I want to know how many times do you need to eat it before that happens........................COULDA SHOULDA WOULDA can you answer that?

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    3. G'day Ladies,
      we are given Vegemite almost from birth....teething rusks slathered in the stuff. So we don't know of life without it. You don't know what you are missing. Toast with lashings of butter and a scrapping of Vegemite. Yum,Katrina xxx

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    4. I think it's like German grammer for foreigners. after years all of a sudden i hear you just "get it". It is very good for stews and a casserole where saltiness with an edge is needed. Full of vitamin B's and no hydrogenated fats but then this isn't a competition right? hehe But honestly please do try toast with butter with a schmeer of vegemite. If you ever make meatloaf or the like - do add some to the mix as it just lends a malty saltiness and depth of flavor. It has so much umami.

      Peanut butter is also an acquired taste believe it or not La Contessa - many find it like wallpaper paste turned brown and crunchy in fact. But differences make the world go round!

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  5. Damn you know how to make a girl hungry......that Chipotle Pumpkin Soup...seriously have you tried it? Omg that looks so good.
    I think I'm the same way ...I pay for mani/Pedi's and Yard care...but take care of my flower/herb garden myself (which is not easy - living on the water/beach). I clean my own house but will pay to have my meals prepared....BUT I have to handle the table setting....oh...and I will go to a thrift store and buy some weird blouse but buy the BEST purse/shoes I can afford. I'm so anxious for your Christmas thoughts...I'm ready to decorate but need inspiration!! -PamAtk

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  6. I am drooling! What a feast for the eyes and stomach! So glad I found you at Sandy's site( You May Be Wandering)!

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  7. This was a very cruel post. It is about 2 am and I neeeeed some apple butter and the cider brined pork chops right now. The recipes sound divine. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving a la Francaise. xoxo Mary

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  8. Is that a cauldron of apple butter?

    I must tell you that your blog is truly a highlight. Your eloquent and frank commentary cracks me up -- and always just at the moment! I've had so many "I'm ok--you're ok" moments reading about our shared glee/neuroses re: flea markets/tacky Halloween decorations/holiday family drama/interior design/party etiquette/you name it.

    I can't take the over-use of "amazing/stunning/fabulous" and exclamation points (is everyone really that amazed! and stunned! by a "tablescape…"), but you seem to wield them in just the right way. I anticipate and savor each of your posts, and I want you (and your husband and daughter) to know that you provide a little support network for those of us who obsess over a key tassel or ice cream fork or the perfectly crispy skin on our roasted chicken. I have had ALS touch my life (grandmother, very close friend), and you inspire me every day.

    Looking forward to reading your cookbook today as I prepare for the onslaught, I mean arrival, of family next week! Thank you Ellie.

    Best,
    Lisa

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  9. Thank you for sharing these recipes. Im going to make a few of them for my Thanksgining dinner this year. Nancy

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  10. yummie yum yum, that soup looks fantastic, as they all do, with pecans slathered all over, oh my ~ that is hilarious watching your mom with her pearls, funny, my mom was so similar, she'd have paint all over her clothes and pearls on, (she could always roll up her sleeves for most jobs) and never washed her car, or clean the pool, yet would take down wallpaper or put it up. Can't wait to hear about RL. It's 7am now, I running to give out Thanksgiving bags to the needy today. Funny stories from you again! I am with David, not into pumpkin pies, a pecan pie for me! Love butternut squash! XO

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  11. Dear Ellie, recipes look great. Have mentioned them and your blog in my new post.
    http://ginaceramics.blogspot.com/2014/11/rembrandt-tulips-and-our-christmas-tree.html
    Also purchased your cookbook. Should keep me in the kitchen for a while.

    I look forward to each and everyone of your blog posts. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. ox, Gina

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  12. Gorgeous post as always! I just adore that picture of your Grandmother.... And the recipes look divine, thank you for sharing!

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  13. OMG, who knew so much about Apple Butter. Always loved it but I'm sure it's not the vrai thing. Love all your apple recipes, but it's summer now and must save them for Fall in LA. I'll move into that chateau with you @thevintagecontssa

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