If you are looking for a unique and engaging activity for you to do with your kids, apple picking is for you! I had read some wonderful things about Triple B Farms and finally found a Saturday to get away with my family and check it out first-hand! The drive was a bit far but absolutely worth it. When we arrived, we stopped by the store to purchase our apple bags, and then we hit the road! Just a short walk to the orchard with lots to see on the way. We were able to feed some little goats and see some peacocks. After we were given the instructions on the proper picking technique (twist, don’t pull) the kids began searching out only the finest of apples!
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I’m telling you Johnny Appleseed would have been proud! They were laughing and happy and running in the big open spaces! I had never been apple picking myself, but I was very impressed with the quality of these delicacies. Not a bad one in the bunch! Don’t forget your cameras because between the lighting, the trees and the endless supply of smiles, you are sure to capture some great shots! One of my favorite parts of the day was when we got back to the car and Julia ate the entire apple… skin and all!! My only regret is that I didn’t get to look in their store because I bet I would have found some great treasures in there. A truly wonderful thing happened after we picked apples… probably one of my favorite experiences between my kids and their grandma! So, here we are with 2 huge bags of delicious apples and no idea what to do with them! My husband (Joe) has a wonderfully talented Mother who can bake anything! One call to Grandma LaGrosse, and she knew exactly what to do…. Bake a pie!! So, off to Grandmother’s house we go to bake! She was extremely patient with the kids and taught them how to measure, stir and roll out the dough… no store bought crust for Grandma! Everyone had a fantastic time and the pie was the best I’ve ever tasted! I’ve included the recipe, so you have something delicious to make with your apples and hopefully you can make as many amazing memories as we did!
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Recipe for Apple Pie by Mickey LaGrosse
Apple Pie
- 6 medium apples, peeled and sliced
- ½ cup of sugar
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. clove powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- 1 pat of butter
- 3 tablespoons corn starch
Put all ingredients in a big pan (except the corn starch) and cook on medium for about 5 minutes or until the apples are a little tender and the apples are thoroughly coated in the mixture. This must be stirred constantly. At the very end, put in 3 tablespoons of corn starch to thicken the liquid.
Crust
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup canola oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup cold water
- Kellogg’s corn flake crumbs (they sell the crumbs in a box… not like cereal)
Mix with a fork until it comes together. Divide the mixture in half. Take 2 sheets of wax paper and place half the crust in the middle of wax paper and press with your hand to flatten and then roll out with a rolling pin. When big enough, put into the pie shell. Sprinkle Kellogg’s corn flake crumbs on the bottom of the crust to prevent a soggy crust! Pile in your apples and put the other half of the crust on top and cut some holes in the top. (Grandma always puts an “A” on the top, so she knows it’s apple!) Sprinkle the top crust with sugar and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes and turn the oven down to 350 and cook for an additional 45 minutes. 
