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All about Apples!

Sweet or Savory? Apples make a great ingredient in these easy, healthy, and family-friendly dishes.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Crispy, crunchy, delicious, sweet, tart -- it's apple season in Michigan and with hundreds of varieties and the right amount of creativity, you can cook up just about anything!

13 On Your Side's Kirk Montgomery took a trip to the Robinette's Apple Haus and Winery to learn all about apples and how they make great ingredients in all kinds of east, healthy and family-friend dishes. He was joined by dietitian Grace DeRocha from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Healthy Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Greek Yogurt

Ingredients

Muffins
1 cup white whole wheat flour or plain white flour
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 large organic egg
½ cup apple cinnamon flavored Greek yogurt or plain, full fat or 1%
¼ cup melted coconut oil or heart-healthy oil
½ tsp. vanilla extract
½ cup brown sugar, lightly packed
1 cup peeled and chopped Granny Smith apple
½ tsp. lemon juice

Topping
3 Tbsp. white whole wheat flour or plain white flour
2 Tbsp. quick oats
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
3 Tbsp. brown sugar, not packed
2 Tbsp. and ¼ melted coconut oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven tot 350 degrees F. Spray 12 cavities of a muffin tin and lightly flour. Do not use muffin liners. Set aside
  2. In a large bowl, pour in the flour. Remove 1 Tbsp. of the flour and return it to the flour container. Add in the cornstarch, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Mix until combined.
  3. In another bowl, mix together a large egg, Greek yogurt, coconut oil (measured when melted), vanilla extract and brown sugar. Mix until well combined.
  4. Peel and finely chop the apple. Toss with the lemon juice and discard any extra lemon juice that doesn’t coat the apples. Toss with the flour mixture.
  5. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until JUST combined. Over-mixing yields denser muffins.
  6. Fill up 12 muffin cavities evenly with the mixture – each cavity will be a little under ¾ of the way full.
  7. In another bowl, toss together the flour, quick oats, cinnamon and brown sugar. Pour in the coconut oil (measure when melted) and mix to combine. Add a bit more coconut oil if too dry or a bit more flour if too wet.
  8. Top each muffin evenly with this topping.
  9. Fill the empty cavities of the muffin tin with water to ensure even baking.
  10. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a fork comes out clean when inserted in the center.
  11. Remove and allow to cool for a few minutes before removing the muffins from the tin. Use a spoon to coax the muffins out after about 5-10 minutes

Apple Cranberry Meatballs

Ingredients

1 lb. lean ground turkey
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup finely chopped, washed, cored and peeled Granny Smith apple
¼ cup finely chopped cranberries, fresh or dry
1 ½ Tbsp. finely chopped fresh sage
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. sea or kosher salt
½ tsp. black pepper

Instructions

  1. Place rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. Place an ovenproof baking rack on top of a large, rimmed baking sheet and lightly coat with cooking spray.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the turkey, breadcrumbs, olive oil, egg, apple, cranberries, sage, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
  4. Roll the meatball mixture into 1.5 to 2-inch balls. Arrange the meatballs on top of the prepared baking rack.
  5. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes, until cooked through.

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