Greek and Roman mythology refer to apples as symbols of love and beauty.
But, the apple is a wonderful source of health too — it contains Vitamin C, Beta Carotene, iron, potassium etc.
Apples also have a very high mineral content, pectins and malic acid.
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Apple is good for treatment of anaemia, dysentery, heart disease, headache, eye disorders, kidney stones etc. It is also an excellent means of providing essential fluids to the body.
A number of components in apples has been found to lower blood cholesterol with a reduced risk of ischemic heart disease, stroke, prostrate cancer, Type II diabetes and asthma.
As in vegetables, the colour of the apple is indicative of its benefits.
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Green apples: Good for strong bones and teeth, aids in vision, has anti-cancer properties
Yellow apples: Good for the heart, eyes and immune system, reduces risk of some cancers.
Red apples: Good for the heart and memory, lowers the risk of some cancers and helps maintain urinary tract health.
Now, for a recipe.
Caramelised Apple Pie
Ingredients
For tart mixture
Butter: 500gm
Refined flour: 750gm
Icing sugar: 250 gm
Chilled water: 25 ml
For apple mixture
Apples: 5
Sugar: 150 gm
Raisin: 100 gm
Cinnamon powder: 15 gm
Method
Gently cream the butter in a planetary mixer or with a wooden spoon in a clean basin.
Add the icing sugar and cream well. Gently add in the flour.
Add some cold water and mix.
Rest the dough in a refrigerator for at least an hour.
Take out of the refrigerator and knead gently. Roll out the dough and line the tart moulds.
Cut the apples into dices and mix sugar, raisins and cinnamon powder.
Put the mixture into the tart moulds and cover with the dough.
Bake it at 180 C in a preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.