One of the best gifts Minnesota has to offer is its great apple orchards. To be surrounded by the fruit trees and the colored leaves is a true fall experience. Some apples are great for pies, some are great for baking and some are best simply being enjoyed right from the tree. The best part is not only enjoying the orchards and its fruits, but also keeping it real by keeping in local.
For a complete list of Orchards visit : http://www.allaboutapples.com/orchard/mn.htm
Something about fall makes me crave pork shops on the grill. Simply letting them sit in a bath of olive oil, rosemary, garlic, a little salt and fresh cracked black pepper for an hour or so before grilling to your liking. And again, nothing is better with pork that those Minnesota apples. Here is a quick recipe using sweet potatoes and apples which rocks with pork chops. It is also great w/ Salmon.
\m/ Richard
Sweet Potato Hash
Ingredients
5 bacon slices, diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium yellow onion
3 medium-size sweet potatoes, chopped
1 large apple, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon chopped thyme (fresh whenever possible)
1/4 teaspoon chopped sage (fresh whenever possible)
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Preparation
In a large skillet sauté bacon in hot oil until brown. Add onion, and sauté 2 minutes. Stir in sweet potatoes, and sauté 5 minutes. Stir in apple and next 3 ingredients, and cook, stirring often, 8 to 10 minutes or until potatoes and apple are soft. Garnish with the pecans and parsley
