September 29, 2011
Apple Pecan Bran Muffins

Apple Pecan Bran Muffins (Photo by Caprina Valentine)

After a wonderful Apple Day overlooking the orchard at Sea Cider, smelling and tasting all things apple, including some delicious apple pies, I was inspired to whip up something else apple! I picked up some Okanagan Gala Apples from Rootcellar on my way home Wednesday and used up the rest of my pecan stash at home, along with Island Wheat Flour and Bran I already had stocked in my pantry.

Apple Pecan Bran Muffins (Photo by Caprina Valentine)

Ingredients (24 muffins)

3 cups flour
1 cup bran
1 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg

4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup oil
1 cup milk (or almond/soy milk)
1 1/2 cups brown sugar

3 medium apples
1/2-1 cup pecans; reserve 24 nice looking ones for the tops!

Apple Pecan Bran Muffins (Photo by Caprina Valentine)

Make It

  1. Preheat oven to 400 (convection bake)
  2. In a “Dry Bowl” mix 3 cups flour and 1 cup bran
  3. Add 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 1 tsp nutmeg and whisk thoroughly
  4. In a ziplock bag, smash 1/2 cup pecans with a big spoon; add to Dry Bowl
  5. In a “Wet Bowl,” whisk 4 eggs, add in 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup oil, 1 cup milk (or almond/soy milk) and 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
  6. Peel, core and chop 3 medium sized apples into small dime-size pieces; mix into Wet Bowl
  7. Pour wet mix into dry mix and stir thoroughly; this is a less-liquidy muffin mix!
  8. Divide into 24 lined or greased muffin tins
  9. Press a full pecan into the top of each muffin
  10. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 400
  11. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes

Variations: You may also choose to blend half of the apple in a blender and mix into your wet mix before adding the apple chunks, or you may choose to more finely chop your apples.

Apple Pecan Bran Muffins (Photo by Caprina Valentine)

September 28, 2011
Apple Day at Sea Cider

We had a great day at Sea Cider’s Annual Apple Day!
Browse on for photos and a recap of the event including 2nd Annual Get Fresh with Apple Pie contest, raffle fundraiser for LifeCycles Fruit Tree Project, apple identification and tasty eats and treats from Truffles and Ambrosia.

2nd Annual Get Fresh with Apple Pie Contest!

2nd Annual Get Fresh with Apple Pie Contest!

Sea Cider apple orchard, looking towards Georgia Strait

Sea Cider apple orchard, looking towards Georgia Strait

Tasty eats and treats were enjoyed by all from Truffles and Ambrosia, as well as full cider tasting flights from Sea Cider. We indulged in the delicious cider marinated pork taco with apple onion salsa from Ambrosia, as well as their apple crisp.

Sea Cider Pommeau, Cyser and Pomona

Sea Cider Pommeau, Cyser and Pomona

apple identification and lessons on fruit tree pruning

apple identification and lessons on fruit tree pruning

BC Fruit Testers offered apple identification, overflowing with a wealth of fascinating knowledge about fruit tree growing conditions, physiology and genetics. Noah & Elisabeth’s apples were identified as Spartan, King and the third is likely a Cox’s Orange Pippin. I also inquired about pruning techniques, for which he insisted pruning actually be done during the period of vigorous growth (March thru July) and never in the cold, rainy season (ahem, November) when it exposes the “open wounds” to contagions and fungus. Great tips and info for next spring!

Chef Dan Hayes of The London Chef judges the apple pie contest

Chef Dan Hayes of The London Chef judges the apple pie contest

Chef Dan Hayes of The London Chef had a great time judging our 2nd Annual Get Fresh with Apple Pie Contest, in which we had four entrants this year. Congratulations to 1st place winner Maria Nunn for her traditional pie and 2nd place winner Renee Reese for content. And an honourable mention to second year entrant Steph Miller.

Chef Dan Hayes of The London Chef judges the apple pie contest

Chef Dan Hayes of The London Chef judges the apple pie contest

Chef Dan Hayes of The London Chef judges the apple pie contest

Chef Dan Hayes of The London Chef judges the apple pie contest

Chef Dan Hayes holds the winning pie!

Chef Dan Hayes holds the winning pie!

Afterwards, the pies were divided up and shared amongst the crowd, while we drew our raffle fundraiser for LifeCycles Fruit Tree Project. In all, the table raised $218 towards LifeCycles.

Thanks again to all who participated! And thanks to our raffle donors: Sea Cider, Canoe Brewpub, Pizzeria Prima Strada, Pescatores & Bon Rouge, Teafarm and Vancouver Island Salt Co.

September 18, 2011
2nd Annual Get Fresh with Pie!


Don your aprons, slice those local apples and roll out your secret dough recipe… it’s time for the 2nd Annual Apple Pie Contest. We invite you to enter and wow us with the best apple pie of them all! The winner will receive a Gift Certificate for 2 for a long flight cider tasting, plus artisan platter and a bottle of cider to take home. The runner up will receive a tasty bottle of Sea Cider.

contest details:

  • contest is open to anyone
  • try to use as many local ingredients as possible (see links provided below for resources)
  • judging will take place between 2-3 pm on “Apple Day” at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, Sunday, September 25.
    The winners will be announced at 3pm.
  • please rsvp so we know how many tasty pies will be arriving on Apple Day. Email us and put Pie Contest in the subject line.
  • please include a card with your name, phone number and email with your pie entry. Let us know a little bit about your ingredients – what kind of apples did you use and where did they come from etc.

It’s going to be a great day, so come enjoy the organic orchard and join in the celebration of harvest. Taste the goodness of fresh, ripe apples in their many delicious forms. There will lots happening and plenty to sip and nibble at Apple Day.

Last year we put together an incredible basket of local goodies kindly donated by all our Get Fresh Guide partners. We will work with Sea Cider and other local businesses to create another basket of treats. Raffle tickets will be sold on Apple Day with all proceeds going to Lifecycles Fruit Tree Project. Tickets will be sold for $5 each or 3 for $10. You may donate more in support of Lifecycles if you choose! Last year we raised just over $570, let’s see if we beat that this year.

Lifecycles and BC Fruit Testers will be on hand to offer advice on pruning your fruit trees. Perhaps you have a mystery apple growing in your yard? They are available to answer all your questions regarding identifying and caring for your fruit trees. Don’t forget to bring a sample!

resources

Great places to buy local apples:
Oldfield Orchard – 6286 Oldfield Road, 250.652.1579
The Root Cellar – 1286 McKenzie Avenue, 250.477.9495
Ambrosio Markets – various locations around town Oak Bay, James Bay, Cook Street Village
Dan’s Farm & Country Market – 2030 Bear Hill Road, 250.652.9100
Apple Luscious Organic Orchards – 110 Heidi Place, Saltspring Island
Niagara Grocery – 579 Niagara Street, James Bay

Looking for some Island Grown Wheat Flour?

True Grain Mill - 1725 Cowichan Bay Rd and Mill Bay Centre

Want to make your own lard? Here are some useful tips from Chef Heidi Fink
Chef Heidi Fink – Lip Smacking Blog

Please bring your pie to Sea Cider anytime before 1pm on Sunday, Sept.25. Make sure to label it and include your contact info so we can be sure to get a hold of you if you are not on site for the judging hour. Stick around after the judging as I’m sure there will loads of delicious pies to sample! Best of luck to you all, see you on Apple Day!

Apple Day takes place at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse on Sunday, September 25 from 11am to 4pm.
Sea Cider is located at 2847 Mt. St. Michael Rd, Saanichton.

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