Cheese ravioli with apples & walnuts

Remember the little trip to a country farm when I bought a bag of apples the size of my torso?  I finished them off last week,  but I'm just now getting around to writing about it.  It's been a busy few weeks, and I've been trying to devote equal attention to all that pumpkin.  You'd never know it, but fall fruits and vegetables can be quite jealous of each other.  So much delicious produce, so little stomach space! 

Another item needing my attention is the awful excuse for hockey courtesy of my beloved Penguins.  Like I was saying yesterday, if there were a hockey equivalent of a cat lady, I'm quickly approaching it.  Nothing like sitting in your apartment alone, no lights on, curled up on the couch in sweats with a blanket and only a cowbell sitting in your lap.  And the grumbling that eventually evolved into yelling.  Yikes.  I'm starting to frighten myself just a bit.

Back to the source of this post's excitement, because it's sure as heck not hockey...

Apples!  I had one left and wanted to give it a grand farewell.  My goal with this half peck of apples was to use them in a slightly different capacity than I normally would.  And, upon final review, it seems like I've done a half decent job.  There was a breakfast apple granola crisp that would satisfy even the biggest of appetites for a full morning.  The ham, apple, and cheddar melt makes a perfect toasty lunch with a bowl of soup when the weather turns chilly.  In need of a dish that does triple duty for morning, noon, and night and covers all of the food groups?  Try this simple frittata -- delight in the fact that one serving is one quarter of the pie.  Yes!

Now, if you're looking for a more mainstream use for apples, I highly recommend this apple crumb pie for dessert.  Because, hey, I just mentioned pie above and it almost killed me not to refer to this.  :)

Anyway, all I needed was a weeknight dinner and it had to be a quick one.  Enter frozen ravioli, my hero.  Someday I vow to make ravioli from scratch.  That day shall firmly remain in the future.  I can safely say that writing up the recipe took about as much time as it did to actually put it together in the kitchen.  It was quick and totally the epitome of comfort food.  And, once again, the combination of the sweet apples and salty cheese makes for a team performance (the sum is greater than the parts) quite unlike that of the Pens lately.  Too far?

So have a fantastic weekend!  If you're looking to catch a movie, I highly recommend Morning Glory with Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, and Diane Keaton.  Saw it last night after anticipating its release for months and it did not disappoint!  So cute and really funny!  Like, paid $10 to see it, would pay to see it again, must buy it as soon as it comes out on DVD good.  Catch ya on Monday :)


Ravioli with Apples and Walnuts
(adapted from Real Simple)
-serves 4

1 pound cheese ravioli (fresh or frozen)
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
1 crisp apple, cut into matchsticks
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cook ravioli according to instructions on package.  Meanwhile, heat oil in skillet over medium. 
Add the walnuts and cook, stirring often, until lightly toasted and fragrant, 4 to 5 minutes.

Add the apple, parsley, salt, and pepper and toss to combine.  Spoon over the ravioli and sprinkle with cheese.  Serve immediately.