Ask the cook: Apple orchards

If you’re looking to enjoy the best of what the season has to offer food-wise, start with apples. Apple-picking is one of my favorite fall activities, and Alldredge Orchard, located in Platte City, is worth the drive.

There you’ll find a beautiful farm with an apple orchard, pumpkin patch and plenty of good food. If you have kids (or can borrow some for an afternoon), this is a great place for them to run free and have fun.

They can explore the farm, watch the animals, play in the mini playhouse and have their own tricycle derby around the go-cart track.

While they’re busy you can wander around the farm, pick your own produce, and sample homemade jams, jellies and honey. Take home a jar of apple butter for your morning toast or late night snack.

Try the creamed honey, too. It’s spreadable and comes in flavors like peach and strawberry.

Have lunch in the farmhouse-turned-restaurant where home-style sandwiches and soups are served. Or just skip straight to the dessert.

Homemade apple and pumpkin pies are available whole or by the slice, and the cookies are out of this world. They include monster cookies with M&M’s and oatmeal Scotchies, but the best are the pumpkin cookies with caramel icing. Delicious!

When you get home, look at the “Recipe of the Week” for a delicious apple cobbler. Didn’t have time to make it to the orchard? No worries, grab a couple of cans of apple pie filling at your local grocery store.

Combine this with some warm autumn spices and a few simple items from your kitchen cabinet, in no time, you’ll have a yummy dessert to impress your friends and family.

dbalagna@unews.com