Me and My mother had this weekend of food in Jersey when I went home. We went to some farmers markets, and apple picking. It was kind of amazing. We made beef stew, roasted chicken and baked apples that weekend. I love my mothers stew but I didn't get great photos so I'm not gonna post it. But it's really basic. Also my mom kind of goes crazy for the seasonal decorations. She has the entire house decked out in fall decorations. 

Apple picking in New Jersey is pretty rad, But we got some of these winesaps from the market instead. I think that Rome apple are better for baking because they are a little bigger and they really hold thee shape well.

 Veggies for the Chicken we got from the market

So the roasted chicken is real easy. I take a lemon punch some holes in it with a fork and then stuff it inside the chicken with some sprigs of fresh rosemary. It looks better when it's fresh than dried but you could also easily use dried rosemary. So then next you tie or truss the wings and legs which means tie them up and close to the body fo more even cooking otherwise they could burn easily. Cover the top of it with one cup of chicken stock, white wine, and a water. Then some olive oil rosemary and salt and pepper. 

Now your ready to very loosely chop some veggies ( stew style ) I like using carrots, with the green on the tops still. you can find smaller ones that fit entirely and don't need to be cut up. I use an entire onion, some red and yellow potatoes, and yams. You can use beets and various other root veggies if you like. It comes down to personal preference. Then make sure you got some olive oil salt and pepper on the veggies and begin to cook in the oven at 425 covered tightly with foil for 30 minutes. then remove the foil and cook for 2 hours basically. or until golden brown and done. If need be remove the veggies and keep the chicken in longer. Also don't forget to BASTE! otherwise it'll turn out dry,

So here's the finished product. It's good too because you can have a lot of leftovers and it makes for excellent lunch. I think it's a pretty cheap way to have a really hearty and impressive delicious fall meal.

As for the baked apples that is something my mother makes really well. I love these things I only get to eat them in the fall too. But she takes the apple and cores it. Stuffs the center with brown sugar and cinnimon, and lots of butter. Then she pours a little water into the baked dish so the apples don't burn. I can't remember but for some reason i thought she used to wrap them in foil. But she didn't this time. Anyway you just pop them in the oven and cook until they look done and are soft. Some people like them falling apart and I like them more firm.

 Serve with some ice cream or whipped cream hot out of the oven and it's an amazing desert.

Some nice apple cider to is really amazing. I love this stuff I usually destroy it. I love the bite it has. 

Hope you have a good fall. Enjoy the seasonal food while you can because it's really distinct in the fall. Apples rule! 

- kyle