Recipe: American Apple Pie Soup (crock pot)

AMERICAN APPLE PIE SOUP

"Apple have been in this country as long as European settlers have. Although apples have traditionally been made in to pies, juice, cider, butters, and sauce and baked whole, here they are used to make a spicy dessert soup. This soup is versatile enough that it can also be served as a main course, accompanied by fresh Cheddar cheese biscuits."

1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
6 whole cloves
6 allspice berries
6 cups water (or apple cider)
4 large Granny Smith apples, cored and sliced
2/3 cup raisins
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons brandy (optional)
3 to 4 tablespoons honey (optional)
1/2 cup yogurt or sour cream (for serving)

Combine cinnamon, cloves and allspice in a mortar or coffee grinder and grind to a fine powder.

Combine the water, apples, raisins, nutmeg, and spice mixture in the slow cooker.

Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, until apples are quite soft and falling apart.

Just before serving, stir in the lemon juice, brandy, and honey to taste. Ladle into soup bowls and top with a dollop of yogurt. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 to 6 servings
Source: The Gourmet Slow Cooker: Simple and Sophisticated Meals from Around the World by Lynn Alley