I’ve got a new trick for cutting and packing a lunch box apple from At Home with Real Food that’s so clever, I couldn’t wait a single extra second to share, especially since it’s apple season.
First, get yourself a thick rubberband. The sturdy ones that band together broccoli, swiss chard, and other market veggies are perfect. Reduce, reuse, recycle, people.
Next, grab a favorite apple. We’re positively smitten with the Honey Crisp variety over here.
Now, cut the apple into wedges, being sure to save the core. An apple cutter helps enormously here and is a great item to have in your kitchen toolkit.
Now, puzzle piece the apple back together with the core at the center and stretch that hefty rubber band around the middle.
If you feel like sending a little extra TLC in that lunch box, add a ribbon.
How sweet is that?
Finally, pop that baby right into the lunch box. No need to chase down little containers and lids. No worry that apples will come home untouched because somebody didn’t cut them into tidy wedges.
P.S. To minimize browning, douse the flesh of the apple with lemon juice before piecing it back together.
P.P.S. Got any clever kitchen tricks up your sleeve? Don’t keep them to yourself. We need to know!
Comments
10.24.2012 at4:08 AM #
Jill Castle
Briliant!
10.24.2012 at5:57 AM #
Stacy
How smart is that! Thank you so much for sharing. In our house, that implement is called an apple boater because it turns the apple into little boats. 🙂
10.24.2012 at5:57 AM #
Katie Morford
Never did know what to call that thing…I’m stealing “apple boater”
10.24.2012 at8:53 AM #
Leslie
I am so addicted to Honey Crisps right now – I am having trouble limiting myself to two a day.
10.24.2012 at8:53 AM #
Katie Morford
There are worse addictions to have….
10.24.2012 at9:20 AM #
Kristina Thomas
I’ve found that soaking my apple slices in water that has been slightly salted helps to keep them from browning without altering the flavor. My kids protest when their apples have a taste of lemon or lime! 🙂 I use about a 1/4 teaspoon salt to 2-3 cups of water and let the apple slices soak while I prepare the rest of their lunches – 5-10 minutes, but have also let them soak for as little as 2-3 min. with success. 🙂
10.24.2012 at9:20 AM #
Katie Morford
Good to know, Kristina. Thanks. You can also acidulate the water with lemon or lime and it’s not as overpowering as squeezing it directly on the fruit. Alice Waters talks about using a squeeze of orange juice, which I’ve yet to try, but is worth a go.
10.24.2012 at9:43 AM #
Jody Samson
LOVE this trick and we are also “addicted” to the Honeycrisp variety! I use lemon or lime and sprinkle a tiny bit of cinnamon. Like a pie without all the calories! My kids gobble them up.
10.23.2016 at5:49 AM #
Sylvia
Great idea! I rarely put apples in lunch boxes because of that. When I have I cut and dip in sprite to keep them from turning brown.