If your kids like to help you cook in the kitchen, then you are sure to have a great time preparing this recipe together. And if they are working on the /l/ sound, you will find lots of opportunities to reinforce this sound, work on direction following, practice sequencing steps and your older kids will have a chance to practically apply their knowledge of fractions.
When my son was in preschool, we took a cooking class together. This is one of the many fun recipes we learned to prepare. It’s been many years since we took that cooking class—(time sure flies the older we get)—and I still enjoy making this simple apple pie with him and reliving the memories of that special “mommy-son time” we shared!
Not only are apples nutritious for kids and adults alike, but did you know that apples can help us grown-ups with weight loss???
These marvels of nature deserve their reputation for keeping the doctor away when you eat one a day. And now, it seems, they can help you melt the fat away
too. First of all, they elevate your blood glucose (sugar) levels in a safe, gentle manner and keep them up longer than most foods. As a result, it leaves you feeling satisfied longer, say researchers.
Secondly, they’re one of the richest sources of soluble fiber in the supermarket. This type of fiber prevents hunger pangs by guarding against dangerous swings or drops in your blood sugar level, says Dr. James Anderson of the University of Kentucky’s School of Medicine.
An average size apple provides only 81 calories and has no sodium, saturated fat or cholesterol. You’ll also get the added health benefits of lowering the level of cholesterol already in your blood as well as lowering your blood pressure.
Combine 1 1/4 cups flour, 1 stick of COLD butter (8tblsp.), 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp sugar, 1-3 tbsp ice water.
Mix together flour, butter, salt and sugar with your hands, a fork or pastry blender. Mix until it starts to form small pea-size pieces. Add in ice water.
Lightly knead, handling the dough as little as possible until the dough forms a ball. Add a little more ice water if necessary. Wrap in plastic wrap or wax paper and refrigerate for one hour.
To make apple filling, peel and slice 3-4 medium sized apples—granny smith are best, but other varieties can be added as well.
After apples are peeled and sliced, squeeze the juice of a 1/2 lemon on the apples to add some mild tartness. Don’t throw out those apple peels!! They make a great snack—full of fiber and vitamins. Be sure to use organic apples only , especially if you are eating the skins—avoid ingesting pesticides by doing so!
In addition, you can add roughly chopped walnuts, dried fruit such as cranberries, cherries, raisins, apricots, crystallized ginger. To your apple mixture also add 1 tsp. cinnamon and 1/3 cup sugar. Mix well.
Roll out your pie crust until 1/2 inch in thickness. Place crust on a buttered cookie sheet. Add apple filling to the center of the rolled out dough. Carefully fold up the sides of the dough toward the center, leaving a small opening at the center. Lightly brush the top of the pie crust with egg wash (one beaten egg with a tablespoon of added water). Sprinkle granulated sugar over the top.
Bake pie in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Remove pie from oven and place onto a plate to cool. Cut and serve while still warm. Serve with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
Speech Snacks for /l/:
While rolling out your pie dough, practice /l/ at the sound level–as you or your kiddo rolls the dough, have them prolong the /l/ sound
At the syllable level, slowly practice la, le, li, lo, lu while rolling—also practice the middle /l/ syllable ala-ele-ili-olo-ulu and the final /l/ syllable al-el-il-ol-ul
Incorporate these key /l/ words into your conversation while making the recipe together:
ROLL, SALT, CHILL, TABLESPOON, BLEND, LEMON, WALNUTS, APPLES, SLICE, PEEL, SPRINKLE, FOLD
Practice these /l/ phrases: ROLL THE DOUGH, CHILL THE DOUGH, FOLD THE DOUGH, SQUEEZE THE LEMON, PEEL THE APPLES, SLICE THE APPLES, SPRINKLE THE SUGAR
DESCRIBE the apples using words like: round, shiny, green, red, crunchy, sweet, tart, hard. Model the descriptive word+apple to practice /l/ phrases
Have your child name as many fruits as they can to work on CATEGORIZATION, do the same with the concept of round and have them name as many round objects as they can think of.
Print and cut out the pictures above and have your child put them in the correct order and try to RECALL as many STEP or DETAILS of the recipe as they can
Have your older children identify the fractions used for measuring the ingredients in this recipe. Let them use the measuring cups and spoons to practice this math skill.
BOOKS TO READ ABOUT APPLES:
Ten Apples Up On Top by Dr. Seuss
How to Make Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman
Apple Fractions by Jerry Pallotta
The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall
Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellog
The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons
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