Easy Apple Turnovers

It has been such a mild winter here in Southern California that our summer baring apple tree decided to bloom and produce a winter crop.  It was a small harvest and the apples didn't quite reach their normal size for eating fresh but they were delicious just the same.  The question then became, what do we do with the harvest.

Why make easy apple turnovers, of course!

I took advantage of a weekend with my six year old grandson and enlisted his help in making hand pies.  Baking always takes on an adventurous spirit when you add in a small child. I love having kids in the kitchen now that I'm a grandma.  It wasn't always the case when my plate was full and the children were mine.

I think one of the perks of being a grandmother as opposed to a mother, is the intentional time you can spend with your grandchildren.

When you're a mother you have so many responsibilities in keeping your home and caring for your family. The dishes and laundry and homework and commitments need tending every single day. Life has most likely not taught you that less busy equals more time to truly engage. Sometimes survival is your only goal.

As a grandmother you have the benefit of hindsight, fewer demands and less energy for all that busyness.  There's plenty of time to bake and garden without the stress of what you're not getting done.  We all know having "help" from a child can add time to whatever task you're trying to accomplish.

You have time to slow down and use each encounter as a time to teach and share life lessons, whether that’s how to do things with your hands or how to process things with your heart.

It’s a well earned and appreciated perk for sure.

I thought about all this as I spent time with Jon this weekend. As he mixed the apples with sugar and cinnamon and rolled out the dough, what was he taking in?  What did he see in me that would serve him well in the future? What did he learn as we made our apple turnovers, besides how to use a fork to crimp them shut?

What life lesson comes from each encounter I have with the children in my life?  What practical skill?  What character builder?  What assurance or sense of security do I provide?  What do I want him to remember and take way from our time together?

The amazing thing is that none of this has to be formal or planned out. As grandmothers this privilege is part of our right of passage. Our lives well-lived equip us for the challenge. We need only be aware, be mindful and be thankful for the opportunity to do our part.

Oh, and a little flour flying in the kitchen never hurts!

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Easy Apple Turnover Recipe

2 cups diced apples (any kind)

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch of salt

Ready made or scratch pie dough

Mix apples with sugar, cinnamon and salt until well combined.  Place in a pot to simmer while you cut out circles of dough using a large biscuit cutter or small bowl.

Remove apples from heat and let cool slightly to the touch.

Place small "dollup" of apples to one side of circled dough.  Fold in half and crimp shut with a fork.  Place on parchment lined baking sheet.  Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown about 20-30 minutes.  Let cool and enjoy.  Best if eaten within a few days.  Freeze leftovers for up to two months.

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I love this recipe because it allows you to use whatever fruit is in season and freezes well especially if there are only two of you in the house.  I even used the leftover apple mixture to make some apple butter.

I uploaded a YouTube video of the process of making the pies with my grandson, if you'd like to take a look.  If you like these kinds of videos, I'd love to have you subscribe while you're there.

xo, Patty