Cider and Apples - Dreams of Summer

I live in the Adelaide Hills, which has the perfect climate for growing apples and pears. There is enough fruit grown here to be a major supplier of apples to the whole of Australia. There are small pockets of apples grown in Tasmania and Western Australia too, but it is comforting to know that the apples I buy and eat are grown just around the corner.

With such huge apple and pear productions, it isn't surprising to find 'The Hills Cider Company' located close by. Actually it was a surprise because I hadn't heard of them until quite recently when I went to a local cheese show. The company launched in 2010 and Steve Dorman and Tobias Kline are two young guys making a name for themselves having already won a number of awards for their products. So how come I hadn't heard of them? Well, that's because I don't drink a lot of cider - well I didn't until I found this company and now I am hooked. They make a range of apple and pear ciders, all quite delicious.
http://thehillscidercompany.com.au/

So thinking of cider, I got all homely and English and thoughts of warm afternoons, shady trees and fields of flowers. What a wonderful way to celebrate summer, apples and cider. Here's one of my creations to tempt you.

Apples in Cider

Ingredients

3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and quartered
3 tbls unsalted butter
1/2 cup soft brown sugar
11/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
pinch salt
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup of your favourite apple cider

Put water, 2 tbls of butter, sugar, cinnamon, pinch salt and nutmeg in a non stick fry pan and bring to the boil slowly. When butter and sugar are melted add apples and coat the apples with mixture in the pan. Add cider and mix.  Cook gently, stirring occasionally until apples are tender and the liquid is reduced. This takes about 7 - 10 minutes.
Take the pan off the heat and stir in the remaining butter. Serve warm with Creme Fraiche, ice cream or alternatively, wait  (if you are able) and serve them cold from the fridge. Either way they will be gone in seconds.