Apple cheese
Description
The recipe won't take much time. A natural and healthy dessert where you can control the amount of sugar and create your own combinations of various flavors. It's delightful when sweets not only bring pleasure but also provide benefits. Serve chilled.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Prepare the ingredients for making apple cheese. You can use any apple varieties, at different stages of ripeness. As flavor additives, you can use any spices according to your preference. An especially interesting combination is achieved by adding pink pepper, rose water, candied ginger, cardamom, and vanilla.
- 2
Step 2
Wash the apples thoroughly and dry them. Cut the flesh into random pieces together with the peel, removing the core with seeds. Transfer the prepared apple slices to a suitable-sized dish.
- 3
Step 3
Pour cold water over the almonds and let them soak for 1–2 hours. During this time, they will absorb moisture. Remove the thin skin from the almonds and dry them in a dry skillet until the characteristic nutty aroma appears. Instead of almonds, you can use any available nuts.
- 4
Step 4
Pour 2 tablespoons of water into the pot with apples, cover the pot with a lid, and place over medium heat. Simmer the apples until soft and the volume has reduced, about 30 minutes. Remove the lid. Continue simmering the mixture over reduced heat. As moisture evaporates, stir the mixture more frequently and thoroughly with a spatula to prevent burning. Simmer the apple mixture for 1.5 hours.
- 5
Step 5
When the apple mixture becomes thicker and acquires a caramel color, add sugar, zest, cinnamon, and nuts. Mix well and continue cooking for another 1–1.5 hours. The thicker you reduce the apple puree, the better it will be.
- 6
Step 6
Prepare a mold, preferably one with perforations on the bottom. This could be a colander or a sieve. Line the mold with a clean, damp cheesecloth. Transfer the prepared apple mixture into it.
- 7
Step 7
Gather the ends of the cheesecloth at the top, and place a weight on it. Set the mold into a dish to catch the excess moisture. Leave the semi-finished product for 24 hours. After that, hang the apple cheese in a dry place or lay it on a surface, periodically turning it to dry.
- 8
Step 8
The longer the apple cheese is dried and matured, the more delicious and aromatic it becomes. After a month, the apple cheese will have a fairly firm texture.
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Step 9
During maturation, the product loses more than 50% of its weight. Apple cheese stores well. Wrap it in parchment paper and store at room temperature.
- 10
Step 10
The cheese is easily sliced into thin slices. This natural and healthy dessert can be presented as a sweet gift for Christmas.
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Step 11
A fruit dessert that children will love.