18 December

If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. - Wayne Dyer

Spiced Apple Rings Recipe

(gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, grain-free, egg-free)

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What a convenient no-mess, no-fuss snack food that can live in the nappy bag in case of those emergency hunger situations… or the holiday beach bag! They make a great addition to school lunchboxes or a festive season snack table too.

Most dried fruit available in the supermarkets are covered in added sugar, preservatives, GM vegetable oils, colourants and artificial flavourings. Just being able to make these alone made me pleased that I had invested in a dehydrator.

This recipe is taken from my book Mila’s Meals: The Beginning & The Basics.

Key: gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, grain-free, egg-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan, for adults too

INGREDIENTS

(t. = teaspoon; T. = tablespoon, C. = cup)

8 Granny Smith or Pink Lady apples, washed
½ C. lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 l. water
4 t. cinnamon powder or vanilla powder

METHOD

Place the lemon juice and water in a bowl.
Peel and core the apples one by one. Place them in the lemon water straight away to prevent them from discolouring.
Once all the apples have been peeled and cored, remove them from the lemon water one-by-one and slice them. As soon as one apple is sliced, place the slices back into the lemon water and let them soak while you slice the rest.
Remove the sliced apples from the lemon water, drain them briefly on some kitchen towel then place them on the dehydrator trays.
Dust with your spice of choice.
Dehydrate in a dehydrator at 45°C (110°F) for approximately 8 hours (the time will vary depending on the environmental humidity). You will know your apples are ready when you cannot squeeze out any moisture when you pinch the apples. Alternatively put the fruit into a plastic bag or glass jar while warm, and if condensation forms on the inside, you need to dry them out a bit more.
Store in a sealed container in a cool, dark place.
For longer storage periods, store the spiced apple rings in a vacuum-sealed bag in a cool, dark place or in the freezer.

I cannot get enough of these apple rings! When you make them with Pink Lady apples and vanilla powder, they taste like sherbet!

I used them as part of the invitation to my book launch. Mila had such fun handing them out to her friends at school, and they were thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who got some. They would make a great homemade Christmas gift or offering for your Christmas Day hosts.