Today I am excited to share with you my recipe for apple turnovers, but I am even more excited to share the story of a marine who served his country and loved his family. This marine was my grandpa, and his name was Johnnie Collins. He fought in the Korean War and was deployed twice during the Vietnam War.
Grandpa believed that all men should be respected regardless of social status. One of my favorite stories about his time in the marines is one about him punching a higher ranked officer. I am spotty on the details, but you'll get the main idea. There was on officer who was heckling a new recruit and it made my grandpa mad so when the officer didn't stop, grandpa punched him in the face. Of course the officer wanted my grandpa court marshaled, but the commanding office at their base agreed that the fellow officer was in the wrong, so my grandpa was not court marshaled. However, he was never promoted after that.
He also believed in telling the truth. Grandpa Collins was made a recruiter for a short time (maybe 6 months), but he would tell the potential recruits exactly what it would be like in the marines and in battle and consequently didn't sign up very many, so he was quickly transferred back to camp Pendleton.
Grandpa believed that all men should be respected regardless of social status. One of my favorite stories about his time in the marines is one about him punching a higher ranked officer. I am spotty on the details, but you'll get the main idea. There was on officer who was heckling a new recruit and it made my grandpa mad so when the officer didn't stop, grandpa punched him in the face. Of course the officer wanted my grandpa court marshaled, but the commanding office at their base agreed that the fellow officer was in the wrong, so my grandpa was not court marshaled. However, he was never promoted after that.
He also believed in telling the truth. Grandpa Collins was made a recruiter for a short time (maybe 6 months), but he would tell the potential recruits exactly what it would be like in the marines and in battle and consequently didn't sign up very many, so he was quickly transferred back to camp Pendleton.
When grandpa was in the marines, he was a drill sergeant. You did not want to get in trouble with him. I remember cousins getting into trouble with him and boy am I glad I was never (that I remember, and I would remember) on his bad side. He was also very loving as long as you minded what he said. In my grandparents house there was a little stool that I loved to sit on to eat. I would always pull it over next to grandpa's seat so that I could sit next to him.
My grandpa Collins died a few years ago and I miss him every day, but he has left a strong impression on my heart that will stick with me for the rest of my life. He taught me to work hard, to respect everyone around me, and to love with all my heart.
The first time I made apple turnovers, I made them for my grandpa because apple turnovers were his favorite dessert.
My grandpa Collins died a few years ago and I miss him every day, but he has left a strong impression on my heart that will stick with me for the rest of my life. He taught me to work hard, to respect everyone around me, and to love with all my heart.
The first time I made apple turnovers, I made them for my grandpa because apple turnovers were his favorite dessert.
Apple Turnovers
Filling
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced thin
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
Crust
1 cup cold butter
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cups flour
1/3 cup water
Egg Wash
1 egg
1 teaspoon water
Mix together all filling ingredients, cover and place in fridge.
Make the crust by combining all ingredients with your hands, then form it into a disk, cover with plastic wrap and put in the fridge for at least an hour or overnight. Roll out the crust to 1/4 inch thick. Using a pizza cutter, cut off the edges of the dough to make a large square. Cut the square into 8-10 equal smaller squares. Put a tablespoon of the filling into the center of each square. Place egg wash on two connecting edges of the dough, then fold diagonally and press the edges down with a fork. Cut two small slits in the top. Brush with egg wash, then bake for 25-30 minutes in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven.
Note; Don't worry if the dough breaks open a little on top. As you can see in my pictures, my apple turnover has an extra hole, but it still turned out great!
Filling
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced thin
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
Crust
1 cup cold butter
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cups flour
1/3 cup water
Egg Wash
1 egg
1 teaspoon water
Mix together all filling ingredients, cover and place in fridge.
Make the crust by combining all ingredients with your hands, then form it into a disk, cover with plastic wrap and put in the fridge for at least an hour or overnight. Roll out the crust to 1/4 inch thick. Using a pizza cutter, cut off the edges of the dough to make a large square. Cut the square into 8-10 equal smaller squares. Put a tablespoon of the filling into the center of each square. Place egg wash on two connecting edges of the dough, then fold diagonally and press the edges down with a fork. Cut two small slits in the top. Brush with egg wash, then bake for 25-30 minutes in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven.
Note; Don't worry if the dough breaks open a little on top. As you can see in my pictures, my apple turnover has an extra hole, but it still turned out great!