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Fall Entertaining with Michigan Apples

Tailgating, bonfires, hayrides and more! The fall season is one of my favorites times of year to enjoy friends, family and the great outdoors. It’s also Michigan Apple harvest time and the grocery stores and farmer’s markets are stocked with delicious crispy, crunchy varieties to include in your autumn meals and adventures.

Michigan Apples can use enjoyed in so many different ways… from a handy, healthy snack, to cider, apple butter and in both savory and sweet recipes – there are endless ways to savor the flavor of Michigan Apples. One of my favorite ways to eat apples is to include them on a grazing board paired with a variety of cheeses. Just add crackers and some fruit spreads and you’re all set! Grazing boards are perfect as a simple meal or for entertaining guests and you can be as creative as you want with your selections and design.

If you’re wondering what cheeses go best with Michigan Apples, use this pairing chart for guidance but go by your own tastes and preferences to create your own unique board. The crisp, sweet/tart flavor and texture of Michigan Apples perfectly complement many styles of cheese.

Gouda/Harvati – These creaming semi-firm cheeses pair well with tart apples such as Gingergold, Jonathon, Jonagold or McIntosh.

Cheddar – Aged or sharp cheddar cheese pairs best with sweet apples like a juicy Honeycrisp, Gala or Evercrisp®.

Brie and Camembert – These creamy, buttery cheeses go well with Golden Delicious or Honeycrisp.

Blue Cheese – The tanginess of blue-veined cheese combines well with sweeter apples such as Gala, Evercrisp® or Honeycrisp.

Goat Cheese – Smooth, creamy goat cheese is wonderful with Fuji or Evercrisp®.

Cheese & Apple Grazing Board:
  • Michigan Apple slices
  • Whole grain crackers
  • 2 – 3 varieties of cheese
  • (See suggested apple and cheese pairings)
  • Michigan Apple butter
  • Fruit jam

 

 

 

 

 

Another fun idea is to create a dessert grazing board with Michigan Apples and items like glazed nuts, small cookies and sweet dips.

Fall Dessert Grazing Board:
  • Michigan Apple slices
  • Apple Cinnamon Donut holes
  • Glazed nuts
  • Caramel dip
  • Peanut butter, honey, yogurt dip
  • (See recipe below)
  • Dark chocolate covered pretzels
  • Dried Michigan Apples
  •  

Peanut butter Yogurt Dip

¾ cup vanilla Greek yogurt

1/3 cup peanut butter

Dash of cinnamon

Mix together all ingredients and serve with Michigan Apple slices.

Meet the Author

Shari Steinbach

Shari Steinbach, MS RDN
President
Shari Steinbach & Associates, LLC

For the past 26 years, Shari has worked as a dietitian in the grocery industry for two major retailers in the Midwest. In her retail roles, Shari has managed consumer health communication, health influencer partnerships, nutrition programs, and solution-selling strategies.

Shari has served as a nutrition expert and corporate spokesperson, providing food and nutrition advice through monthly television spots on ABC, NBC and FOX affiliates and local radio segments. She has also conducted numerous educational presentations to community groups and professional organizations throughout the country. Her timely nutrition and food product information and strategic social media messages have reached millions of consumers.