Posts

Wolff's Apple House Blog

Featuring healthy recipes, news & local history

Filling & Healthy Breakfast Ideas

As the price of eggs rose to shocking levels early this year, I began to consider whether eggs really were the most affordable and filling option for breakfast. The verdict? Even though the price of eggs has doubled -- even tripled over the last year, eggs remain a low-cost option for the amount of sustained energy they provide. Two scrambled eggs made at home still only cost about $1 to...

Seasoned Jicama Fries

Jicama is a crunchy, juicy root with a neutral and refreshing flavor when eaten raw. Here, boil and roast jicama slices to make a healthier version of French fries!  

Kid-friendly Apple Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal

Days with a small child can be unpredictable. Some mornings my 19-month-old daughter will go straight to her shape sorters and forget the rest of the world exists for a while. Other mornings it can take some ingenuity for Mom to make a pot of coffee without interruption. Having breakfast already planned makes one variable, at least, more predictable. Baked oatmeal is a breakfast my daughter loves. She especially likes...

Feed Your Feathered Friends!

As the weather changes, and the thermometer takes an absolute plunge, having small kids who love being outside presents a challenge. Trying to impart the logistic reality that going outside in single digits means triple layers of clothes just doesn’t seem to compute. Then, of course, there’s the reality that by the time two kids and an adult are all bundled up, chances allure of the winter wonderland would have...

Caramel Apple Bars

This is a delicious recipe for caramel apple bars. I used a blend of homegrown apples that I've had in my fridge over the season: Empire, Macoun and Pink Lady. Any apples will be excellent in this recipe! It calls for a shortbread crust with oatmeal and a hint of brown sugar. I used caramel candies that I melted down, but I think it would be equally delicious baked just...

Spiced Pear Galette

When people think of autumn fruits, their minds almost always go straight to apples. However, there are many other fruits ready to harvest in the fall—including pears, which tend to be harvested between August and October.  I’ve always loved pears, but I almost never buy them because I’m not sure what to do with them besides just eating them plain. I recently came home from the local farmer’s market with...

Classic Apple Pie

Nothing tastes quite like a classic apple pie. Growing up, my Dad’s favorite dessert was always my Mom’s homemade version, and that marked it as pretty special in my mind. No pie crust was as flakey as hers, nor apples so sweet and tart, and I have so many memories of sitting around our kitchen table eating it fresh out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. ...

No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip

When the weather gets cooler and everything pumpkin spice comes back on the menus, I turn to my recipe collection for all things pumpkin. I love to use fresh pumpkin when I can. One large neck pumpkin or heirloom pumpkin can make so much pumpkin puree! The best way to preserve any leftover pumpkin puree is to freeze it. According to the USDA, pumpkin can't be canned at home safely....

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

I discover new things about my husband every day, and one of those things is that he loves zucchini bread. And now that the seasons are shifting in the direction of autumn, I’m beginning to find the shelves at our local farmers market full of colorful gourds, perfect for making such fall-themed baked goods. With him in mind, I picked a few up and came home to try my hand...

Summer Greens with Roasted Vegetables and Blackberry Vinaigrette

The rich, dynamic color palette of summer fruits and vegetables is always inspiring! While the culinary landscape of winter dishes tend to be monochromatic (yet super rich and flavorful), nothing can compete with the contrast of hues that we find ourselves in now. What I love personally about this time of year is that you really don’t have to do too much preparation or handling of fresh, quality ingredients to...

Vegan Blueberry Coffee Cake

If we cannot agree on politics, we can agree on something, and that something is blueberries. Young people like blueberries, old people like blueberries. Big-city people like blueberries and small-town country people like blueberries. Incidentally, bears like blueberries and, according to research conducted in my house involving blueberries that spilled onto the floor accidentally, dogs like blueberries.  I like blueberries in my oatmeal, which I eat every morning. When it’s...

How To Attract More Hummingbirds To Your Yard

If you spot a hummingbird in Pennsylvania, it’s likely to be a ruby-throated hummingbird. Incredibly small and quick, it’s the only breeding hummingbird species east of the Great Plains, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.  Despite the name, you’ll only catch a ruby-colored patch on the throat of the males – the females instead have a white throat. But both male and female ruby-throated hummingbirds have a metallic green back...

Plants that Thrive in Wet Landscapes

Wet areas of the landscape can seem daunting when it comes to gardening. However, there are plenty of flowers, shrubs, and grasses that thrive in soil that is wet. Planting in these areas can also be beneficial to the landscape. Plants can help with water drainage and erosion. Wet areas often have compacted soil, so it is important to add some compost as you plant. Even though it is wet,...

Celebrate Pennsylvania Native Species Day

Pennsylvania is home to thousands of beautiful plants that naturally thrive in our climate and are part of our diverse ecosystems. But these systems are taking on more pressure than ever and we can’t afford to take them for granted. Climate change and a proliferation of non-native invasive species are taking up space once claimed by native plants. To combat that loss of space, next month Pennsylvania will celebrate its...

Growing Heirloom Tomatoes and Peppers

Heirloom varieties are from seeds that have been passed down for 50 years or more. In today's world of commercial farming where seeds have been altered to produce and feed a large number of people, heirlooms are a blast from the past.   Heirloom seed hasn't been modified and has been passed down through generations. They come in a large variety of colors, shapes, sizes and above all, flavors. Whether you...

Gardening Goals for April

April is a very exciting month for gardening. After a winter's rest, the trees are starting to turn green and the spring garden bulbs are starting to emerge from the earth and bloom. Between the rain drops, it’s time to get growing outside. There is nothing like the flavor of home grown vegetables! Vegetables to Plant in April There are a lot of vegetables that like the colder weather. This...

10 Tasty Easter Sides & Desserts

Whether your Easter main dish will be ham, turkey, lamb or something else, we have 10 awesome Easter side dishes and desserts to make with fresh produce. Some of the recipes can be made with local produce such as tomatoes, herbs, lettuce and apples. Remember to pick up your desired ingredients ahead of time because we will be closed Easter Sunday, but we'll be open normal hours surrounding the holiday....

White Chocolate + Matcha Covered Strawberries

As St. Patrick's Day approaches, I find myself looking for some fun, shamrock-themed goodies to make for my family. I've recently become a fan of Matcha, or powdered green tea, so I decided to make these cute matcha white chocolate covered strawberries. They are super simple, and a fun way to add a tiny little boost of caffeine and antioxidants to a dessert that would otherwise just be a sweet...

Homemade Yogurt Made in an InstantPot

I’ve been making my own yogurt regularly for the last few years and I’ve come to love it more than any store bought yogurt. I prefer it because it’s rich, creamy and just the right consistency. If I want to make Greek yogurt or Skyr, I just let more of the whey drain off. If I prefer to have a thinner yogurt sometimes, I can let it drain for less...

Fresh Cranberry Orange Oat Bars

This is a delicious recipe for cranberry orange apple oat bars. It's the perfect way to use any extra cranberries that might be lying around after the holidays! Plus, since it's rich in oats you can use it as a tasty holiday breakfast or brunch option. Fresh Cranberry Orange Oat Bars This time of year, sour fruits like grapefruit and cranberries are a definite favorite. Eating fresh grapefruit on Christmas...

Enjoy Soft Pretzels and Mulled Cider This Christmas Season

Some traditions are more traditional than others. For me, one food pairing that brings back good memories is eating soft pretzels with mulled apple cider. It might sound like an unusual combination, but since I spent several Christmas seasons living in Europe and many Christmas markets draw on the inspiration of German or alpine foods, soft pretzels are a very Christmas-y food for me. At these markets, hot mulled cider...

Vegan Mushroom Walnut Pâté

I’m already planning ahead for January. The tough thing about January when the holidays are over, is that we don’t leave the house much. Why, though? Yes, it’s cold, that’s one reason. Yes, the snow, that’s another reason. But the main reason is because our pants are too tight. January is a time for facing the music. We ate too many treats during the holidays. Regret leads to resolutions. We...

Freshly Grown Tomatoes All Year Long!

Here at Wolff's, we pride ourselves in finding the best produce all year long and we search high and low to find good, locally grown options. Some locally sourced produce is great throughout the year, such as apples harvested and kept in cool storage, or the hydroponically grown herbs we sell. But what about tomatoes? Sometimes it's easy to avoid cooking with fresh tomatoes in what you might think is...

Evercrisp is Everything You Want in an Apple!

Can’t decide between the ultra-sweet, firm Fuji apple or the extra juicy, sweet Honeycrisp apple? You don’t have to! The Evercrisp apple is a cross between Fuji and Honeycrisp and it delivers all the crunch, sweetness and juiciness you’d want from an apple. Plus, it’s easier to grow in this region which makes it more sustainable and cost-effective than Honeycrisp apples.  Evercrisp apples were developed nearly 20 years ago by...

Fall Flavored Risotto

Adapted from Jamie Oliver’s white risotto recipe, this winter squash risotto has a pretty orange color and a lovely, herb-y flavor.  

Waldorf Salad

In 1893, Oscar Tschirky, a Swiss immigrant and maitre d’hotel for the newly built Waldorf Hotel in New York City, created this simple apple-celery-mayonnaise salad for the hotel’s premier charity event honoring St. Mary’s Hospital for Children.  Oscar Tschirky wrote a cookbook including this and other hotel recipes called The Cook Book by ‘Oscar’ of the Waldorf, published in 1896.  The salad was a hit, maybe due to its notoriety,...

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling

Pumpkin whoopie pies are one of those baked goods I've always enjoyed buying but never attempted to make myself. Somehow they seemed like they would be difficult to make, but they were one of the easiest things I've ever made! My 5-year-old LOVED helping out too, and he of course loved to eat them too! Find plenty of pumpkins for cooking, such as neck pumpkins or heirlooms here at Wolff's!...

Microgreens from New Eden Greens

We find that customers visit Wolff’s Farm Market for a variety of reasons -- some want to shop local and support area farmers, while others are looking to expand their palates beyond the fruits and vegetables available in the grocery store, and some are on a journey to eat better. No matter which of these lanes you fall into, microgreens are an item that may be of interest to you....

Summer Strata in the Slow Cooker

During 2020—(Remember that year??)—we all learned to make sourdough bread. We cultivated our starter. We hoarded our flour when we could, given the shortages. We weighed or measured our recipe ingredients. We mixed and waited and folded and covered our dough. We turned the dough out into fabric-lined bannatons. And we baked those lovely loaves at high temperatures until they browned into beautiful, warm bundles of pure comfort and joy!...

Sweet Early Apples in Our Market

It used to be that the word “apple” always meant a big, red apple (perhaps it was a Red Delicious you gave your teacher). Now there are literally thousands of apple varieties grown throughout the world, and at least 200 of those are grown commercially in the U.S. Here at Wolff’s Apple House, you’ll find many apple varieties throughout the season, which starts in the summer and lasts well into...

Lemon Raspberry No Bake Tarts

I love individual serving desserts for many reasons. When making it for a dinner party, it's easy to be able to ensure that you have enough servings for everyone. If you are making them just for you and your family, it's nice to have a serving ready to go already. The fact that this dessert is no-bake makes it perfect for hot summer days. No need to fire up the...

How to Choose Outdoor Plants for a Small Patio

My 25-year-old daughter turns to me for answers to questions about cooking, gardening and decorating. I turn to her when I have questions about physics, mathematics and coding, which is hardly ever. (I’m not even sure where to begin.) I love nothing more than to give advice, though, so when she recently asked me what plants to buy for her new apartment patio, I went right ahead and told her,...

Grilled Ham Sandwich with Pickled Vidalia Onion Cabbage with Homemade Honey Mustard Sauce

A truly fantastic sandwich is a work of art in my book. The space between two slices fo great bread is, in my mind anyway, a canvas on which textures, flavors, and experimentation can all coexist together. It was a Sunday evening and I really wanted a good sandwich, but we had already been to Wawa on our way home from church, so a quick trip seemed unrealistic.  [ngg src="galleries"...

Vidalia Onion with Savory Caramelized Apples 

Hailing from the small town of Vidalia, Georgia, America’s favorite sweet onion unearths itself early in the growing season each year. This awe inspiring allium owes a lot of its fame to the agronomy of the region. The soil in the greater Vidalia region of Georgia has extremely low levels of sulfur. Additionally, the Vidalia Onion Committee (yep they exist) note that the weather is a perfect combination of slow,...

Local Strawberry Season Favorites

Did you know that local strawberries are HERE NOW? It's only early May, but we already have locally grown strawberries from Pennsylvania and Delaware as well as excellent strawberries from North Carolina. These berries are SO sweet and flavorful. Strawberries are the perfect fruit to pick up for a Mother's Day brunch. From crepes to fruit salad to parfaits or berry compote, strawberries are a delicious addition to any breakfast...

Blueberry Bran Muffins

Every so often, I take stock of my pantry and try to make recipes calling for ingredients that I’ve had lying around. One of these forgotten ingredients I discovered recently was bran cereal. My sister-in-law regularly makes bran muffins from Raisin Bran, so I decided to make blueberry muffins out of plain bran flakes.   The result, as my 5-year-old said, was “delicious.” I even used half whole wheat flour...

Open-Faced Berry Pastries

Fresh berries and flakey pie crust are two of my favorite things to eat, and these open-faced berry pastries combine them in the best possible way! I love how the tart but sweet taste of the filling complements the buttery and sweet crust, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes the whole experience even better. For my own version of the recipe, I used wineberries, a local and wild...

Making a Delicious Greek Salad

If you’re like me, you know the taste of good tomatoes in summer, so that makes it tough to get excited about the tomatoes that are typically available the rest of the year. I often find myself skipping over recipes like salads, salsas, or bruschetta when local tomatoes aren’t in season. However, the tomatoes available now at Wolff's Apple House in MARCH are excellent! We’re sourcing the best tomatoes we...

Colcannon

This traditional Irish dish features potatoes, scallions or leeks, and greens—usually kale or cabbage. Plus LOTS of butter. Try colcannon as a side with this year’s St. Patty’s Day dinner!  

March is the Month to THINK GREEN!

March is a good month to “go green” by adding lots of greens to your diet. With the first hints of spring in the air and St. Patrick’s Day coming up, green foods are on many menus. I usually associate green foods with healthy foods but that’s not always the case for St. Patty’s day, so a few years ago I made this healthy version of a Minty Green Shamrock...

It’s Time to Get Those Seedlings Started!

With all the sunshine this week, it's beginning to feel like spring may finally come after all! I do like the beauty of a snowy winter, but spring is always a welcome season with its longer days and warmer temperatures. Spring equinox is in about 3 weeks, so now is the perfect time to start planting some seeds inside in the warmth. In late April we should know when it’s...

Crepes with Strawberries & Chocolate Drizzle

I love when Valentine's Day falls on a weekend. There's something so cozy about this mid-February holiday. I've never been much for competing with the crowds to get a table at a restaurant, but I love getting to enjoy some chocolate-themed treats in the quiet of my home. This year as restaurants operate at even lower occupancy that normal, it seems like the perfect time to enjoy a quiet meal...

Valentine’s Strawberry Cake

Adapted from a Bon Appetit recipe, this sheet cake is dotted with pretty strawberries and has a bright, lemony flavor. And yes, that is olive oil you’re using! Top with the optional strawberry whipped cream for an extra treat.

Apple Cinnamon Fruit Dip

Apples are the perfect afternoon snack, especially when you can add a tasty Apple Cinnamon Fruit Dip to go with it. Currently, two very popular varieties of apple we are selling include Evercrisp apples and Pink Lady apples. Evercrisp are a cross between Honeycrisp and Fuji apples. They are sweet, crunchy, crisp and juicy. Currently we are getting these from just a short drive over to New York state. Pink...

Local Produce All Winter Long!

Thanks to advances in hydroponic farming, cold storage and more, we can now enjoy local produce all winter long here at Wolff's Apple House! Here’s the latest from our local farmers!! Celery & Fennel!  Purple Sweet Potatoes  Swiss Chard & Kale  Arugula & Salad Mix  Orange & PURPLE Carrots!  Hakurei Turnips & Radishes  Zucchini!  Brussels Sprouts  Scallions... And more! And here are some of the other highlights of our local...

Christmas Stollen from Jerry Sheehan

This December, Jerry Sheehan and his co-worker Kayla Remshard are busy baking the German stollen ("shtaw-luhn") you can find at Wolff's right now.  And of course, this stollen is made with all of the authentic craftsmanship that Jerry is known for throughout this region. He is one of the only local bakers making a true traditional stollen, so we are especially honored to be able to share it with you...

5 Easy Natural Christmas Decor Ideas

Though the 2020 holiday season is a strange one, holiday traditions can help us get our bearings. I found myself counting the days until the start of Advent this year, a season of waiting in hope. Since March, the whole year has felt like one of waiting and hoping. Finally, the calendar has caught up and I feel like I have permission to embrace these feelings more officially.   As...

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie

Pumpkin spice season (aka fall) is one of my favorite times of the year. I love pumpkin baked goods like pumpkin bread or muffins, pumpkin bars, pumpkin spice lattes and of course, pumpkin pie. Here at Wolff’s, we have several pumpkin flavored items including baked goods like Firehouse pumpkin donuts, My House pumpkin scones, and grocery favorites like Nutty Novelties pumpkin spice peanut butter and pumpkin butter.  This recipe for...

Roasted Apple, Sausage & Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts are one of those vegetables I discovered I actually really like at some point as an adult. My mom had always grown up eating frozen, squishy, tasteless Brussels sprouts, so she never made them for us. We now both like sautéed fresh Brussels sprouts! There is something so much tastier about fresh Brussels Sprouts, especially when they are sautéed with olive oil, garlic and salt. This recipe for...

Always in Season Means Open Year-Round!

Here at Wolff's, our slogan is "Always in Season, Since 1910." We're proud to have been serving our community these past 110 years, and 2020 was no exception. We've been there for our community as people have been looking for safer ways to buy fresh foods. It is our honor to serve you by providing fresh, local produce, healthy prepared foods, sustainably raised meat and dairy items, grocery and so...

Spiced Pumpkin Cookies

I absolutely love living in Pennsylvania, where the seasons change and we can enjoy the crisp, cool autumn weather. There is something magical about this time of year. From back-to-school excitement, beautiful changing leaves, weekends at the pumpkin patch, and breaking out the fall wardrobe; what isn’t there to love? After all, sweater weather is the best weather! It is a lovely change of pace back into a routine after...

Creamy Artichoke and Tomato Sauce

Since the pandemic began, I appreciate a well-stocked pantry more than I ever did. A full pantry allows flexibility and variety in what to make for dinner. Maybe one night it’s rice and beans. Maybe one night, pasta and sauce. Leftover vegetables from the refrigerator with canned or boxed broth plus rice and beans or pasta and sauce means soup is always an option. There’s nothing worse than looking in...

French Nectarine Clafoutis

Clafoutis (pronounced clah-foo-tee) is a delicious French dessert that can be made with any in-season fruit, such as berries, cherries, peaches, nectarines or plums. I used to make clafoutis often with sweet cherries from the cherry tree at my old house, but I recently made it with in-season nectarines and peaches and it was delicious! Peach season is just amazing here at Wolff's Apple House! French cooking features many fruits...

What Wolff’s Is Doing About Spotted Lanternfly

It's not a butterfly. It's not a moth. And, despite its name, it's not even a fly. Liz Magnuson, the Wolff’s Apple House Annuals Manager, describes Spotted Lanternfly as more like a leech that attaches itself to trees and other plants.   And once it is there, the leech-like plant hopper "causes serious damage in trees," says the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, "including oozing sap, wilting, leaf curling, and tree...

Eggplant Bake

This flavorful, stuffing-like dish comes from Andi Wolff. Use any of our delicious local eggplants! The creole seasoning makes way more than you need for this recipe, but it will come in handy as a kitchen staple in future dishes!  

Classic Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwiches: The Perfect Picnic Food

Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwiches are the quintessential summer food. I love packing them for a picnic lunch or making them during a camping trip. Sometimes I'll make enough bacon at breakfast so that we have it ready to go for lunch sandwiches. It's a nice alternative to lunch meat, which gets a little boring when you eat sandwiches often! When tomatoes are in season, I like to eat them...