Popular Posts
-
Next up on the Sauce-Sational Analysis – the Jonagold. Jonagold is our apple that people tend to go to once the Honeycrisp sell out. The J...
-
Many customers come in and ask us if we grow that apple that their grandmother’s told them you only need one apple for one pie – of course ...
-
In a previous post on my crafting blog, I talked about creating a barn quilt to hang at the orchard. Well, the process has begun and I pl...
-
Hi everyone! Just popping in to remind you that the 2018 apple season will start in less than one month! We are planning on opening on Aug...
-
Our shop is FULL of amazing handcrafted items! From jewerly to pillows to can cozy mittens to wreathes and more! Seriously – the next two ...
Facebook Badge
Our Blog List
-
Ashmead's Kernel, but different4 days ago
-
Quilt Block Refresh!3 months ago
-
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Pot Pie10 months ago
Top 10 Fall Farms!
Showing posts with label gala. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gala. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Saucesational: An Experiment in Applesauce: Gala
Next up for the Sauce-sational Applesauce Experiment – one of my favorites for fresh eating – Gala!
I peeled, cored, and sliced the apples with my apple machine and put them in the min slow cooker.
4 hours later…I had a juicy, chunky sauce. 
That had very little flavor. The sweet deliciousness of a fresh gala seemed to disappear with this sauce. I was not impressed… I did like the chunky consistency but that’s pretty much where it ended. I never would have predicted this. I made MacIntosh and Gala sauce in the same day and the Mac was the clear winner between Jared, Cedi and myself.
I peeled, cored, and sliced the apples with my apple machine and put them in the min slow cooker.
4 hours later…I had a juicy, chunky sauce. 
That had very little flavor. The sweet deliciousness of a fresh gala seemed to disappear with this sauce. I was not impressed… I did like the chunky consistency but that’s pretty much where it ended. I never would have predicted this. I made MacIntosh and Gala sauce in the same day and the Mac was the clear winner between Jared, Cedi and myself.
Past apple tests:
McIntosh
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Gala – A Great Dessert Apple (and one of MY personal favorite!)
This comes directly from the Wisconsin Apple Grower Association Cookbook.
For most people, eating a Gala apple is a sensory extravaganza. The skin has a visible iridescent red blush over a creamy yellow background, giving it an enticing look. Inside, the firm flesh is cream-colored and dense, with a deeply sweet and intensely aromatic flavor.
It is a sweet and delicate dessert apple that should be served with foods that are not overpowering. Bring Gala apples to room temperature to experience the flavor to its fullest potential.
Originating in New Zealand in 1934, Gala apples were introduced to the US in 1981. Its parentage is from Kidd’s Orange Red, which was a cross of the old English favorite, Cox’s Orange Pippin, and Red Delicious. The Gala ripens in late September and its available in Wisconsin until mid-October, making it one of the first apples on the market. It is best served fresh, as cooking destroys some of its most delightful qualities.
Gala apples store very well and can also be used in sauce and for baking. Test the firmness of the apple by holding it in the palm of your hand. (Do not push with your thumb). It should feel solid and heavy, not soft and light.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Wow...
are we busy... I don't even think I can properly describe just how busy we are right now, but I'll just give you an example of my girls' babysitting schedule today. They went to Denise's in the morning around 8 for the day (normal). I picked them up at 4, one of my weekend sitters, Ashley came to the orchard around 4:15 and watched them unitl 6. Then they go to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa until about 6:15/6:30 when they were dropped off once again at Denise's. I picked them up around 8:30ish. We had to do this so we could get apples sorted for our crazy large caramel apple order and do everyday store type things during the day. Frank had to go to Waunakee for the Farmer's Market and at the same time Jared and I had to make cider and Diane had to watch the store. Typically, after 6:00, Diane and Frank would just watch the girls, but this being the only night of the month that they have there Badgerland Produce Auction meeting that didn't quite work out and they went to Denise (thank you again Denise!).
On tap for tomorrow: Caramel Apples, picking (my parents are coming to help...thanks mom and dad!), sorting, more caramel apples
I apologize if this blog doesn't make sense...I need to go to bed...
On a sad note, I have to report that the gala's are all sold out for the season. Make sure to try a Cameo when you come in...I'm a huge Gala Girl and I am really enjoying the cameo's right now...
On tap for tomorrow: Caramel Apples, picking (my parents are coming to help...thanks mom and dad!), sorting, more caramel apples
I apologize if this blog doesn't make sense...I need to go to bed...
On a sad note, I have to report that the gala's are all sold out for the season. Make sure to try a Cameo when you come in...I'm a huge Gala Girl and I am really enjoying the cameo's right now...
Labels:
apples,
cameo,
Capri,
Caramel Apples,
Cedi,
Cider,
DeForest Farmer's Market,
gala,
Orchard,
picking,
produce auction,
sorted,
Waunakee
|
0
comments
Friday, September 19, 2008
Say Cheese!, Quilt of the Week Alternate & the Gala Dilemma
Hello All! It's been a few days since I've written. Of course, I had to have some internet problems...what would a busy season be without that happening! Luckily it's back up and working... and I have a few new stories to update you with!
Pat Fischbeck, from the Speckled Hen Inn Bed & Breakfast in Madison, WI, visited our orchard this past week. She took some beautiful pictures of the orchard, picking and some of the fun things we offer. She uses our apples regularly at her Bed & Breakfast for snacks and in the breakfasts'. She was kind enough to bring us a few apple scone things she made...they were delicious! Diane and I had two before Frank even got home from picking! Thanks, Pat, it was a great pick-me-up for a long, busy day! To see more information about her bed and breakfast check out her website: http://www.speckledheninn.com/
I also do realize that I have not posted a 'Quilt of the Week' this week. I should really put one of Diane's up but I haven't had anytime to re-type her stories yet. So, instead of featuring a quilt I'm going to feature the upcoming quilt retreat! Diane and her sister, Barb, are holding a quilt retreat this November at Camp Wawbeek in the Wisconsin Dells. They still have some openings for the weekend of November 14, 15, and 16th, 2008. It's an overnight retreat and every year, one or two of the attendee's do stay up all night quilting! It's a really fun time, Diane and Barb are experienced and knowledgable teachers who also like to have a good time. I have gone to three retreats and have enjoyed myself. To learn more about the project for this year check out the details at http://www.quiltsbybarb.com/quiltretreats.htm. Hope to see you there!
And last but not least...a bit of sad news. The gala's are quickly running low in supply. We underestimated the age of some of our gala trees and did not replant quickly enough to avoid a dip in our supply. Our older trees produced tiny, tiny apples. Our newer trees produced big, beautiful, delicious apples...just not enough to satisfy the high demand (it is my favorite apple!). What this means is that we will be running out of gala's soon, probably this weekend, but hopefully, if everything goes well, we will have a continually increasing supply in years to come.
New apple out this week: Fireside! A yummy, sweet apple alternative to the gala. Also known as a Connel Red!
Hope you stop out and see all the new fall decorations we've been putting up around the orchard.
Pat Fischbeck, from the Speckled Hen Inn Bed & Breakfast in Madison, WI, visited our orchard this past week. She took some beautiful pictures of the orchard, picking and some of the fun things we offer. She uses our apples regularly at her Bed & Breakfast for snacks and in the breakfasts'. She was kind enough to bring us a few apple scone things she made...they were delicious! Diane and I had two before Frank even got home from picking! Thanks, Pat, it was a great pick-me-up for a long, busy day! To see more information about her bed and breakfast check out her website: http://www.speckledheninn.com/
I also do realize that I have not posted a 'Quilt of the Week' this week. I should really put one of Diane's up but I haven't had anytime to re-type her stories yet. So, instead of featuring a quilt I'm going to feature the upcoming quilt retreat! Diane and her sister, Barb, are holding a quilt retreat this November at Camp Wawbeek in the Wisconsin Dells. They still have some openings for the weekend of November 14, 15, and 16th, 2008. It's an overnight retreat and every year, one or two of the attendee's do stay up all night quilting! It's a really fun time, Diane and Barb are experienced and knowledgable teachers who also like to have a good time. I have gone to three retreats and have enjoyed myself. To learn more about the project for this year check out the details at http://www.quiltsbybarb.com/quiltretreats.htm. Hope to see you there!
And last but not least...a bit of sad news. The gala's are quickly running low in supply. We underestimated the age of some of our gala trees and did not replant quickly enough to avoid a dip in our supply. Our older trees produced tiny, tiny apples. Our newer trees produced big, beautiful, delicious apples...just not enough to satisfy the high demand (it is my favorite apple!). What this means is that we will be running out of gala's soon, probably this weekend, but hopefully, if everything goes well, we will have a continually increasing supply in years to come.
New apple out this week: Fireside! A yummy, sweet apple alternative to the gala. Also known as a Connel Red!
Hope you stop out and see all the new fall decorations we've been putting up around the orchard.
Labels:
bed and breakfast,
Camp Wawbeek,
fall,
fireside,
gala,
pictures,
quilt of the week,
quilt retreat,
quiltsbybarb.com,
Speckled Hen Inn,
Wisconsin Dells
|
0
comments
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Sorry Sun Prairie
Unfortunately mother nature has determined that I will not be heading to the Sun Prairie's Farmer's Market this morning. I do apologize. It's just too rainy and it looks like it's going to continue to be that way for the rest of the morning and into the afternoon. I would like to note that the apple store is OPEN! So, feel free to take a short day trip up the orchard to pick up your apples (Honeycrisp, gala, cortland, mcintosh, wealthy, spartan, fuji, paulared, NW Greening and wolf rivers), cider, and caramel apples. We would love to see you there.
Labels:
Caramel Apples,
Cider,
Cortland,
fuji,
gala,
Honeycrisp,
McIntosh,
NW Greening,
paulared,
rain,
spartan,
Sun Prairie Farmer's Market,
wealthy,
Wolf River
|
0
comments
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
HONEYCRISP & Cider!
Hello All! I'm taking a quick breather to update you on the lastest happenings in the orchard! Jared got today off from work and picked apples all day...I looked outside and the trailer is really full! I came with him in the morning to help pick and we started on the Gala's. They're absolutely beautiful and delicious! Then we decided to see how the Honeycrisp were doing...well, they are DONE, READY, JUICY, DELICIOUS, and we picked them. They are currently for sale on the shelves of our store.
After I finished picking some apples I went to the store to help Diane sort and run the store. Our neighbors were busy getting things out for our upcoming garage sale (starting tomorrow and running through Saturday). We stayed fairly busy throughout the afternoon. Frank headed out to the Waunakee market and we got the first of our pumpkins out. It's really starting to look like fall at the orchard!
Well, I have a few minutes to grab a bite to eat! Hope to see you soon!
After I finished picking some apples I went to the store to help Diane sort and run the store. Our neighbors were busy getting things out for our upcoming garage sale (starting tomorrow and running through Saturday). We stayed fairly busy throughout the afternoon. Frank headed out to the Waunakee market and we got the first of our pumpkins out. It's really starting to look like fall at the orchard!
Well, I have a few minutes to grab a bite to eat! Hope to see you soon!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Apple Season has Truly Begun!
Hello Everyone! We saw a lot of familiar faces yesterday and it was very refreshing! We definately had a decent crowd of apple lovers at the store and the Sun Prairie Farmer's Market.
Well, the apples are finally starting to ripen. The boys picked some McIntosh, Cortland, Jonamac, Gala, and Wolf River yesterday. It is so nice to see our shelves filling up with APPLES! Because of this mixture of apples we are also know offering our Baker's Mix filled with Paulareds, McIntosh, and Cortland to give your baking a wonderful mixture of flavor and texture. Diane always bakes like this and trust me, her family is not disappointed.
My sister-in-law, Karma, just sent me this email that I found interstering and you may too:
Hi Kim. I was just reading my new Runner's World and it had an article on "fresh thinking" when it comes to eating. They talked about a "locavore" who tries to buy local and had some interesting facts... one study found that people are 10 times more likely to have a conversation at a farmers' market as they do at supermarkets. Another study found that local-based food systems used 17 times less fuel than conventional food systems. Thought you might like to hear those :) Karma
We're also starting to gear up for our upcoming garage sale next weekend. The garage has been cleaned and empty. Jared and I have started to deliver boxes of things to be sold. It is going to be a multi-family garage sale and for anyone who is a dedicated garage-saler, you know those are the best ones to hit.
Well, I have to go and make some caramel apples!
Well, the apples are finally starting to ripen. The boys picked some McIntosh, Cortland, Jonamac, Gala, and Wolf River yesterday. It is so nice to see our shelves filling up with APPLES! Because of this mixture of apples we are also know offering our Baker's Mix filled with Paulareds, McIntosh, and Cortland to give your baking a wonderful mixture of flavor and texture. Diane always bakes like this and trust me, her family is not disappointed.
My sister-in-law, Karma, just sent me this email that I found interstering and you may too:
Hi Kim. I was just reading my new Runner's World and it had an article on "fresh thinking" when it comes to eating. They talked about a "locavore" who tries to buy local and had some interesting facts... one study found that people are 10 times more likely to have a conversation at a farmers' market as they do at supermarkets. Another study found that local-based food systems used 17 times less fuel than conventional food systems. Thought you might like to hear those :) Karma
We're also starting to gear up for our upcoming garage sale next weekend. The garage has been cleaned and empty. Jared and I have started to deliver boxes of things to be sold. It is going to be a multi-family garage sale and for anyone who is a dedicated garage-saler, you know those are the best ones to hit.
Well, I have to go and make some caramel apples!
Labels:
Caramel Apples,
Cortland,
gala,
Garage Sale,
Jonamac,
locavore,
McIntosh,
paulared,
Sun Prairie Farmer's Market,
Wolf River
|
0
comments
Friday, September 5, 2008
Apple Picking!
Well, it was my first time out apple picking today and what a wonderful day for it! It was the perfect day. My allergies are usually too bad so I haven't picked in about 2 years (I had been pregnant and unable to take much medication-wise to control the allergies). I felt like I had them under control today so I decided to try it. I'll know by about 2am if it was a smart decision or not. I put the girls in for there afternoon nap and then picked north of the house until they woke up. Then, when Jared got home, he watched Capri (Cedi was napping still) and I picked some beautiful Gala's (my favorite).
Once I finished picking I headed back over to the store to finish sorting for the Sun Prairie market. I'm excited that I will have more than just Paulareds to bring (not that there is anything wrong with Paula's but it's so much more fun to have some variety!) I'm currently waiting for the caramel to heat up so I can help make some more caramel apples for this weekend.
Next time you're at the store be sure to check out the cute new gift items I just got it...some adorable farm animal chalkboards and some more super cute planters!
Hope to see you this weekend!
Once I finished picking I headed back over to the store to finish sorting for the Sun Prairie market. I'm excited that I will have more than just Paulareds to bring (not that there is anything wrong with Paula's but it's so much more fun to have some variety!) I'm currently waiting for the caramel to heat up so I can help make some more caramel apples for this weekend.
Next time you're at the store be sure to check out the cute new gift items I just got it...some adorable farm animal chalkboards and some more super cute planters!
Hope to see you this weekend!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Yummy!
So, I know this is a bit strange...I live on an apple orchard with TONS of apples and I only like a few varieties...gala, honeygold (we only have limited quantities) and now another variety...SANSA! Yeah! I now LOVE 3 out of the 37 varieties and like about 5-6 (I can also eat fireside, tolman sweet, and late season paula reds (when there nice and sweet). Unfortunately, this is the first year we've gotten any sansa's and they are TINY (which, ironically, I also love small apples) and we don't have very many. Frank and Diane picked all they have at there orchard...about 6 (I ate 3 today...plan on finishing those off tomorrow) and I had Jared check ours. He said we'll have maybe about 10 lbs total this year, but they are not ready over here yet. Basically, this is just a teaser for next year. Something for all of you sweet apple lovers to look forward to trying. But the word in the orchard is there are quite a few honeygolds' so at least there will be a few options this season.
The girls went to a sitter today and I was able to get LOTS done at the orchard. I sorted Frank's apple's for the Waunakee market...haven't heard how that went yet, put up a window screen display of some of my $4 earrings, did some work for the orchard on the computer, laminated signs, sorted more apples, and helped customers. Overall, it was a very productive day. As I was sorting some Ginger Gold's, Diane read my mind and brought down a bowl of popcorn from the house. It was delish! The perfect afternoon snack.
No word on how the caramel apples yet fared at the market, so I'm going to assume for the time being that we don't have to make more tonight...we'll see if that changes. Hope to see you all soon! I'm going to go put my girls to bed and then myself!
The girls went to a sitter today and I was able to get LOTS done at the orchard. I sorted Frank's apple's for the Waunakee market...haven't heard how that went yet, put up a window screen display of some of my $4 earrings, did some work for the orchard on the computer, laminated signs, sorted more apples, and helped customers. Overall, it was a very productive day. As I was sorting some Ginger Gold's, Diane read my mind and brought down a bowl of popcorn from the house. It was delish! The perfect afternoon snack.
No word on how the caramel apples yet fared at the market, so I'm going to assume for the time being that we don't have to make more tonight...we'll see if that changes. Hope to see you all soon! I'm going to go put my girls to bed and then myself!
Labels:
Caramel Apples,
earrings,
Farmer's Market,
gala,
ginger gold,
honeygold,
Orchard,
popcorn,
sansa,
signs,
sorted,
sweet,
Waunakee
|
0
comments
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
