Chocolate Covered Apples

I needed something sweet this weekend but I thought the rain would keep us from my favorite place, the boardwalk. Of course, I didn't want the family to miss out on the experience. So I decided to create a little bit of the boardwalk at home. Let's be honest one of reasons for going to the boardwalk is the food. There are corn dogs and nachos and potato tornados. But  as I said I needed something sweet. And no wonder, a lot of the dishes I've made lately have been savory. So I figured the post this week should be some type of sweet street food. What to do, what to do? Candied apples also know as toffee apples. It's one of the first treats I wanted whenever I went to the boardwalk as a child. I remember the shop that sold it was all the way at the end of the boardwalk. I would run down that way tasting the salt in the air and craving the sweetness of a caramel or chocolate covered apple.

For most people in New Jersey and New York the summer ritual is to go to the shore/boardwalk. Whether it's Coney Island or Seaside, the end of summer hails as the last hurrah. The weather turned out better than expected, and we celebrated with a street food that's screams New Jersey. If no other dish does, this candy covered apple does since it originates with a candy maker from Newark, New Jersey. Of course, many other countries have a variation of this treat. From Australia to Brazil this sweet treat is the fav of carnivals and street celebrations. So, it's a great way to celebrate the end of summer. Enjoy

Chocolate Covered Apples

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

6 Gala or Fuji apples
1 tablespoon of shortening
2 cups of semi sweet chocolate chips
6 popsicles sticks or lollipop sticks
4 ounces of almond slivers/ crushed oreos etc

Directions:

Twist of stems from the apples and push the lollipop/popsicle sticks down to the core.

Put apples in fridge while preparing the chocolate.

Slowly melt chocolate and shortening in a double boiler (glass bowl over pot of water) over hot water or microwave on high for 2 minutes. If microwaving stir halfway through.

Remove chocolate from heat and stir until completely melted and warm.

Dunk each apple into the chocolate. Let excess chocolate drip back into bowl.

Roll apples around in chocolate while turning it with the stick. Use a spoon if needed to cover the entire apple.

Roll apple in coating (of your choice). Make sure apple is covered completely.

Set on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper until chocolate has set.

Yippie... boardwalk food even though we are not at the boardwalk.

What would you cover your apples with?

Strawberry Lassi

During the hot summer months, it is sometimes hard to cool down. The recent heat wave has had me scrambling for ways to escape the heat. Then it clicked, I should make a lassi. My mother and I have spent many summer days indulging in lassis to beat the heat. The heat outside and of the delicious dishes we would order from our favorite Indian restaurant. Though the idea of milk and yogurt may seem like a bad combination in the heat, it's actually quite refreshing. The drink lassi comes from Northern Indian where the temperature can reach up to 123 degrees fahrenheit. If anyone knows how to cool down, it would be them. Traditionally, many Indian restaurants in America serve plain lassi or a mango lassi. Since I'm on a strawberry kick, I decided to make a strawberry lassi. Fruit is also a great way to avoid dehydrate in the summer. But that's not why I do it. I do it for the taste of it.

It's funny, a few years ago whenever I wanted a lassi, I would drive to my favorite Indian restaurant. Then about two years ago I got up the courage to ask the chef how the drink was made. And what do you know, he told me. When I realized it was so simple I kicked myself for not asking earlier. Though this is not exactly like a traditional lassi because it is not made with curd it's still pretty good. Now I get to share my good fortune with you. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Strawberry Lassi
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients
9 ounces of yogurt
1/2 cup of milk
1 pound of strawberries
1 tablespoon of honey or 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
sprinkle of cardamon (optional)

Tools: Blender

Directions:

Rinse, hull and chop strawberries

Blend strawberries, honey, yogurt and milk for approximately 2 minutes

Pour into glass

Sprinkle cardamon on top if you choose

Such a refreshing way to beat the heat. What fruit would you use?