My dear readers….tis true…nothin’ says lovin’ like apples in the oven or Red Red Wine!
But before I get into the apples,
I have a little story to tell you.
I was talking to twin #2
on the phone, ….
and he was telling me
about a song from his past,
that he had just heard on the radio
called “Red Red Wine”. He was all nostalgic he said, because of all the memories it stirred up from his high school years in New Mexico.
“Oh, yes…I know that one”. I chimed in excitedly. “Neil Diamond wrote that song and recorded it back in 1967.” I took a deep breath and continued.
“I remember the year because there were so many (I stretched out the word m-a-n-y to illustrate my point) …..good songs out that year…like ‘Never my Love‘, ‘Up Up and Away’, ‘Penny Lane‘ and…..
“Mom! Mom!”...my son said interrupting my Billboard top 20 dissertation.
“No, Mom, I don’t think you know this song….it was played at our high school prom and it was not Neil Diamond. It was UB40, the reggae group from England. You know like Bob Marley? They also recorded ‘I got you babe’!” he added showing his knowledge of the musical group.
There was a pause and complete silence on the line.
I closed my eyes, shook my head and grimaced, glad that he couldn’t see my expressions all the way from Michigan.
Sonny and Cher did “I got you babe“. I said in almost a whisper.
“Well, I don’t really care or like Sonny and Cher,”…. he said dismissing my correction…. “but I would like you to hear this song ‘red red wine’ with Bob Marley.”
“Son, you act like I have never listened to music before….contrary to popular belief, I did not come across the prairie in a covered wagon. I do know this song, and yes, I liked it with the calypso beat, however, I am just saying that I liked it better when it was sang like a ballad by Neil Diamond, the guy who actually wrote the song.
“Reggae Mom”
“What?”
It is reggae, not calypso.”
I could hear his sigh as if he was tiring of trying to convince me that I did not know this song from way back. I am sure the term Alzheimer crossed his mind.
“Do you want me to sing it for you?” I asked, and not waiting for his response, I began singing it as a ballad.
.…….red red wine, goes to my he-a-d, stay close to me-e-e….and then, yes then I forgot the rest of the words.
Again complete silence.
And more silence….and then I said:
“Did I tell you that I found some of the prettiest granny smith apples and made apple dumplin’s?”
I could sense the smile in his voice as he said….“no, you didn’t”
I continued on …knowing that I had broke the tension over a silly how-be-it cool song.
“I know how you love apple dumplin’s and I just wish you were here, so we could sit on the lanai enjoying the cinnamon-ey flavors and listen to UB40 sing ‘red red wine’!”
He burst out laughing.
And I laughed too!
By the way…both versions are below for your listening enjoyment!
Do you like apple dumplin’s? Perhaps you have a recipe you would like to share.
The handy dandy printable recipe is below.
Enjoy and have a Blessed beginning to your week.
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tbs butter, softened
- 8 medium Granny Smith apples
- *1 (15 oz.) packages refrigerated pie crusts (I use Pillsbury or you can make your own)
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, cinnamon, and nutmeg and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add 1/4 cup butter. Set syrup aside.
- Combine apple filling ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Mix with a fork until you have a crumb consistency. Cut each pie crust in half. Form each half into a ball and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll into 8 inch circles. Place each apple onto the center of each circle and fill the empty core with the crumb filling. Fold the dough over the apples, pinching at the top to seal. Place each apple in a lightly greased 13″ x 9″ baking dish. Pour the syrup over each apple being sure to coat each one.
- Bake at 375 degrees for about 40 – 45 minutes or until apples are tender and crust is lightly brown.
- Raisins and/or walnuts can be added to the filling if desired.
Please comment, I'd love to hear from you.