Pazazz Apples - So Good!

If you happen to follow my Instagram and Insta Stories (of which I am horrible at I know!) you may recall I had a fabulous box arrive in the mail recently.  I love, love, love getting fun stuff in the mail!  I received a wonderful box of Pazazz apples to enjoy and, of course, share with you.  I only share what is good with you all, so if I'm talking about these apples, you can know that they are good and worth sharing.Now I'll admit I pretty much thought an apple is an apple is an apple.  Right?  Uh, no.  That is so not right.  I would also think this would not be the time of year to get really great, crisp tasty apples.  It is January - the middle of winter.  Thank goodness I am not afraid to admit when I am wrong.  This is a good thing, too, because I am wrong so often.These apples from Pazazz have been so good.  So good, in fact, the Husband even commented on how good they are.  If you love a Honeycrisp apple, the Pazazz is a descendant, has a wonderful crunch and crispness that I personally love.  These apples are sweet, without being too sweet.  Typically this time of year I find that a lot of the apples just don't have a lot of flavor.  These were such a great surprise.  They are harvested late in the Fall, their flavor actually improves with storage so that when they reach the grocery stores they are just bursting while most of the other apples have lost their flavor.I know nothing about growing and producing apples so it has been interseting to learn a little about these Pazzaz apples.  They began as one of the varieties in Honeybear Brands international development program.  After a 10 year development phase they are now grown on family farms across the country.  That means they are grown in local orchards close to where you purchase.So, I think these apples meet two important criteria.   They taste wonderful.  Secondly, I love that they are grown locally.Apples happen to be my default snack or side or something to add to most anything because they are good, healthy and handy.  You can simply grab them out of the fruit bowl and go.  If you have a little more energy you can slice and add peanut or nut butter.  Always good!  I often add apple slices to a lunch or dinner if it lacks a little something. . . .The Husband has a thing about adding fruit to a salad.  Personally, I love a little fruit in my salad, especially if it adds crunch.  The Pazazz apple is the wonderful sweet and crunchy component in this salad.  It also is full of antioxidants and protein to keep you satiated and energized.Pazazz Apple and Kale Salad

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme (or less dried thyme)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• Cooking spray
• 6 cups baby kale
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced diagonally
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 apple, halved and cut into 1/4-in.-thick slices
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Combine oil, grated lemon,  juice, thyme, mustard,  and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl, stirring with a whisk. Place 2 tablespoons juice mixture in a large ziplock plastic bag; reserve remaining juice mixture. Add chicken to bag; seal bag. Let stand at room temperature 10 minutes, turning bag occasionally.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Pat chicken dry.  Add chicken to pan; cook 5 minutes on each side or until done. Place chicken on a cutting board; let stand 5 minutes. Cut across the grain into thin slices.

Combine kale, carrots, celery, and apple in large bowl. Add remaining juice mixture; toss to coat. Sprinkle with almonds just before serving.

Enjoy! Have you seen the Pazazz apples in the store?  Tried them?Enjoy Your Day!