Culinary Circle

We stopped at the local Beverages and More store on our recent trip to CA and discovered and amazing selection of root beers. Since we were only in CA for a few days and new that whatever we didn't finish would be coming home with us in our luggage we only got a couple root beers to try along with a bunch of our favorite Henry Weinhards (root beer and cream soda).

Here is the first one that we tried, Barrel Brothers Creamy Vanilla Root Beer. We've got some extra notes on the tasting on Tom's computer but I'll just post the picture now along with the brief comment that I really enjoyed this it was smooth creamy with a nice vanilla flavor. I'd definitely get it again.

It's been three weeks now, but it's officially apple season. We got our first round of cider from the Davis Farmstand two weeks ago, excellent as always. This week they switched over to the next batch (we religiously follow the expiration dates on the cider, as that is an indication of whether you are getting the same batch as last time our not). I love how the flavor of the cider changes with the season progresses and the types of apples they use in the cider changes.

Along with picking up fresh cider every week we're also getting an apple share that we pick up with our farm share. Every week we're getting 1/2 peck of fresh picked apples. One of my favorite easy recipes for apples is caramel apple oatmeal.



Recipe (one serving doubles or triples easier for more topping or more bowls of oatmeal)
time ~10-15 min:

1 apple
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp brown sugar
sprinkle of cinnamon
1 bowl of oatmeal (cook per manufactures recommendations)

Dice the apple into 1/2 squares, I usually leave on the skins just because it's easier, but you could peel them if you'd really like. Heat up the butter in a frying pan until melted, add apples, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cook until apples are tender and the brown sugar has melted and carmelized, add more butter or sugar if you feel it is necessary, I just add the cinnamon to taste. Mix in with oatmeal and enjoy. I always add some milk or cream to the oatmeal too because that's the way I like it, Tom eats it with out the extra liquid though. Enjoy!