I THINK I have the most complete Apple Charlotte book ever assembled but when I only think I have a recipe I am so appreciative for this website. Thank you - not only the recipes but the real connection to someone I love and carry in my heart every time I prepare a meal.
After reading Betsy’s comment I almost didn’t make this pork chop recipe. However, I made it tonight and the family thought it was great. Browning the pork chops left a nice bit of flavor in the bottom of the skillet. Like Betsy, I didn’t want to make as much sauce as the recipe indicated. Instead I combine the ingredients with the wonderful flavors left in the pan and let my taste testing indicate how much of each ingredient to add. I was able to tweak it with just the right sweetness mixed with the drippings and chicken stock. I would make this again. I recently learned of this site and I would like to congratulate everyone who had a hand in the project. It is an excellent site and very well done.
This didn't turn out so great - i overcooked the pork chops and the sauce was lacking flavor but i did try to cut it into a much smaller batch and may have mis-measured.
I HIGHLY recommend this one - so delicious!! we made it for our monthly competitive dinner with Andy's family and one quote from Krissa was "this is the best one yet.."
We made this tonight for dinner and OMG! so good - we used bacon too and it was just wonderful (and quick and easy)
Andy
posted over 12 years ago
I made a few updates to the site, mainly to try and prevent some of the spammy comments we were getting alot of. Let me know if anything doesn't work for you. Love the comments everyone!
this was so simple and delicious! i made a few changes based on what I had--greek yogurt (full fat) and we at it served over potatoes since there was so much yummy sauce! also i used 2 each of chicken legs, thighs and tenders and chopped parsley. all worked well.
Has anybody made this lasagna? Is it a big huge pan (12x18ish) or a small 8X12? I can't believe it would be small (did she do anything small?) so i'm just going to assume big!!
tammy walker
posted almost 13 years ago
What a treasure! Thank you so much for all your work on this website! It makes me smile to see her picture & I can almost hear her funny laugh! What a happy soul. We miss her and I think of her often while chopping onions & making the wonderful things she taught me to make! I wish I could leave behind such a legacy as Char did!
I can actually remember the 1st time I ate Char's cinnamon buns at her little house in Cheney.I can see them on the counter and remember every scrumptious bite!!It was a small
taste of heaven that bright morning before Char rolled heavy in her volkswagen bug!!(We rolled heavy too, after eating a million buns!)
My house smells like a dream right now - this stock is great. Now - onto Chicken Noodle Soup!!
Kris Lindeblad
posted almost 13 years ago
Thank you so much for the website - not only reminds me of great recipes now held in my 30 lb "Char" recipe book, but also about grace, courage and hospitality
looking forward to making this tomorrow night for friends. went shopping today. i remember how the apples add sweetness and brighten up the squash--so good!
I tried this, but it took a lot longer to cook than 1 hour 20 minutes. It was pretty good, but didn't have that buttery lightness I was looking for in a pound cake.
Bruce Burton
posted almost 13 years ago
Everybody seems to concider Char their best friend, well I'm guilty too. And because of her, at 50 yrs old I'm enrolled in the culinary art institute at SCC. And I miss her everyday.
ok, a bit embarrassing but i'm sort of hooked on this - it's so good and so fast.. we are using the crème fraiche order to make it for two weeks in a row w/ half the ingrediants. yum
This is why mom got me an ice cream maker almost 10 years ago. I still haven't made this ice cream but somehow it's calling to me...hmmmm what happened to my new years resolution? oh ya - i don't have one! ha!
Pat H.
posted almost 13 years ago
Such a great tribute to such a great lady!
I've been serving Char's Pear/Cranberry Crumble for almost every dessert I've served this winter...it always makes a hit, and think of her the whole time. I feel so lucky to have had her touch my life, she was definitely a "blessing" to count!
Thanks to Marty and Char's family for sharing this site.
Caroline LaMotte
posted almost 13 years ago
Tonight I made the BBQ meatloaf that Betsy made for Christmas. It was so wonderful!! I substituted oats for breadcrumbs (just because we always have them) and it was great.
So flavorful and sweet. Used "Sweet Baby Ray's" for the bbq sauce. I don't think I've ever had a better meatloaf!
I'll always think of Char when we have it.
Right on - Jpick! I'm glad you told us! i never would have tried it otherwise!!
Tammy Kintner
posted almost 13 years ago
Sarah and I are so excited to try these recipes!!! What a great idea. Sending our love to Marty.
Betsy
posted almost 13 years ago
Here's ANOTHER cool thing - a marimba piece dedicated to mom -
the APPLE CHARLOTTE RAG!!! OMG!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz2yl1VR8wQ&feature=email
Wow--made this with what we had at home, which meant I halved the recipe except for the tofu and used kale instead of spinach. It was delicious. "Nectar" according to Ed. That roasted garlic/tomatoes step makes it really good.
Learned so much from Char....still using her "wonderful recipes" and techniques. What a beautiful way of continuing to share your Mom with all of us. She is smiling down on all of you.....just like her picture and sending her blessings, as well. This brought a huge "smile" to my face and heart. I kindly thank you all.
this seemed like a good idea for a quite new years day dinner - Mom always made some kind of bean soup on New Years... isn't it good luck? So that's what we are having with big brown bread - Livvy put in all the ingredients and mixed it up - so she "made" dinner, plus, she'll eat anything she makes. :) Tastes great!
I used this Chile Verde recipe to make my own version of chile verde enchiladas - using jack, cheddar and even a little moz cheese instead of mom's recommendation of the mexican cheese - i also added olives and chicken --- they turned out soooooooo gooooood. This chile verde is also excellent salsa and it's VERY easy and very QUICK. don't pass this one up - Johnny and I could barely contain ourselves eating this last Thursday night...
Betsy
posted almost 13 years ago
Its been fun reading all the comments - it's my favorite part, except for the recipes of course. I didn't realize how much i relied on mom for my weekly menu! But i did - so now i'll start making comments on what i'm cooking - so glad you are all here. XOXO
Sharlene R
posted almost 13 years ago
Lots of fun and delicious memories while taking 3 of Char's cooking classes. I continue to treasure her recipes. Thanks for sharing all of them. What a labor of love for a lovely person.
Betsy, thank you so much for sharing this with us! Ken and I made many of your Mom's Frozen Apple Pies from the apples on our tree last month. Ken does most of it, and all credit to Char for teaching him how to do this during his birthday cooking classes with her that he loved! My two boys, Corey 29 and Casey 24 love to cook also, and mostly because I sent them to Char's cooking classes while in high school and she inspired them so much, best $$ I ever spent on them! I also have "Mom's Sundays dinners" cookbook that your Mom made for all of you, and gave me as a heartfelt gift many many years ago. My favorite recipe is her Biscuits! I cherish that book with all my heart, know how blessed I am to have it and keep it tucked in a very special place! It keeps me close to her memory and in warm thoughts to all of you. Maybe one day we can all get together again in Char's memory and bring our favorite Apple Charlotte recipes like we did for her birthday.
Marianne and Dale...
posted almost 13 years ago
We have many grand memories of Char. But our most precious memories are of Char's kitchen with our family during a surprise birthday party. Our daughters, grand daughters and son in law continue to mention that party and the lessons learned as one they will always remember. Char loved to share and we are so happy you have shared her recipes with all her many friends. What a great honor to have these special memories of Char brought to us through the website, especially at this time of year. Thank you Betsy, John, Andy, and Alex.
Joan Denoo
posted almost 13 years ago
What an incredible gift that evokes memories of great friendships, delicious food, funny stories, and that splendid smile of Char with her personality that bubbled and sparkled. Her menus could not be more delicious but she and the Apple Charlotte group was the best therapy available anywhere in the world.
Cheryl K
posted almost 13 years ago
Thanks so much for sharing this tribute to one of the most beautiful women it has been my privilege to know.
Brian and tara
posted almost 13 years ago
Great tribute! I remember Char's stuffing, delicious.
Karen Copeland
posted almost 13 years ago
This is absolutely beautiful!! It gave me such a warm and yummy feeling. Thank you for sharing! From this picture I can just hear her laughing, as I remember working with her on this cooking class group. I miss her so much!! Love you guys, Thanks!!
Janet Robel
posted almost 13 years ago
What a beautiful and creative tribute, just like the author herself. Thank you so much for sharing her wonderful gift in the same spirit that she did.
Char made this for Wes and me for our 25th anniversary. It is delicious!
Brian M
posted almost 13 years ago
This is wonderful Bets and Johnny. Nice work. I'm trying Char's tenderloin of pork tonight. Merry Xmas to you and yours.
Tracia Johnson
posted almost 13 years ago
I couldn't be more excited for this site! I use many of Char's recipes that I learned in her yummy classes and with each dish I prepare, I hear her voice guiding me and laughing with me! Thank you!!!! To many happy scrummy-nummys from all of our kitchens!
We made the BBQ meat loaf for Christmas dinner! it was great - 1. everything but the bbq sauce and ketchup go in the meatloaf. 2. we put bacon & BBQ sauce top (no ketchup). 3. recommend increasing temp to 350 - otherwise we think it would take 6 hours to cook! haha
Gloria Camp
posted almost 13 years ago
Betsy, What a wonderful gift. I love this so much and feel blessed to have this memory of your Mom. We feel like we know her because you reflect so many of the qualities you speak of when you talk about your mom. We are also amazed at the talent of you, Andy. This site is awesome. Love, Andy's mom
KellyM
posted almost 13 years ago
This is great! A HUGE list of recipes, and so nice to have a way to connect with the Char community again. Thanks, Liza!
Trish
posted almost 13 years ago
Love this! Loved Char and miss her so much. This brings back so many wonderful memories.
Scott
posted almost 13 years ago
A lovely tribute, but also a terrific resource. So many recipe sites have absolutely ZERO sense of curation. But we all knew Char and her lust for life -- represented in part through her food. Thanks for putting this up!!
Serena
posted almost 13 years ago
This is Fantastic!!! Thanks so much for doing this! I can hardly wait to try out even more recipes. It will be great to read the comments too, especially if we can add our memories of Char and how they relate to a recipe we try - after all, her recipes were good but she made them better just being herself and how she presented them or taught us to make them :)I'd love to hear everyone's stories! The picture on the homepage brings back such good memories of her classes!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Di Gerard
posted almost 13 years ago
I would never have dreamed such a gift as this to wake up to and find this Christmas morning!!!! All of my happiest memories are the ones shared around Charlotte's table...that table where love and laughter abounded, a safe place to come,where I left full from the scrumptious food AND real conversation.Absolutly BRILLIANT guys!!!! This website will become a refuge to many, as Charlotte and Marty's home was a refuge for me. I LOVE all of you ...Happy Christmas...Thankyou for this very special gift sent with Char's twinkling, contageous smile!!!!
Z
posted almost 13 years ago
What an amazing tribute - and to launch on XMAS eve is perfect! Thank you all so much for making this possible. I love the idea of keeping the site alive and will definitely share what little I know.
No more excuses - I guess I'm on the hook for something special for New Years now. Thank you for keeping the traditions alive. Merry Christmas and my love to you all.
Betsy Speare
posted about 13 years ago
Merry Christmas and Welcome to the Apple Charlotte Online cookbook. Please add your comments, suggestions and favorite finds. The best part will be seeing people coming together over Mom's food -in person and virtually! Can't wait to hear about what you decide to COOK UP! Please send me any typos or recipe issues you find and huge thanks to Alex and Andy for their efforts here.
We are remembering to be grateful for who we have today as we are missing Mom so much now. She would have loved this...
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