Who Was This Character Really?

His real name was John Chapman, the son of a Revolutionary War soldier who fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill. After the war, the Chapmans moved to Ohio, where John became an apprentice orchardist. By 1817 he had begun his lifelong habit of planting apple seeds throughout his travels.

John Chapman did wear rags by choice, and was often seen barefooted. He did carry with him religious writings, but it wasn’t the typical Christian Bible. Often in his travels, he would pass along books and preach about Swedenborgianism. John Chapman was a devout follower of the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg, a theologian of the Restorationish Christian movement. Theirs is an offshoot of the Episcopal church that believed much of the teachings within the Christian Faith had been twisted from the original teachings of Christ to fit a narrative of hell and damnation. This might explain why the apples Johnny planted were not eating apples, but for making alcohol. Under pressure from the temperance movement, the apple industry cleaned up Chapman’s image, giving us Johnny Appleseed, a man from Massachusetts who went about planting apple orchards through Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana.

Hum, considering why Johnny planted those apples of his, I think we should add some Apple Brandy to this Dutch Baby Pancake recipe. What do you think?

Johnny Appleseed Dutch Baby Pancake
1 Granny Smith Apple
2 tablespoons Butter
1/3 cup Sugar
1/4 teaspoon Cardamom
1/ teaspoon Cinnamon
2 tablespoons Apple Brandy
3 large Eggs
3/4 cup Milk
3/4 cup Flour
Powdered Sugar for dusting

Peel, core and cut apple into 1/2-inch wedges.

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Heat a well-seasoned 10-inch cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add butter. When melted, add apple wedges. Cook until softened and lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Stir in sugar, cardamom and cinnamon. Remove skillet from heat, stir in the Apple Brandy.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and flour until smooth. Pour over apple mixture. Bake until puffed and brown, about 15 minutes. Dust with Powdered sugar, cut into wedges and serve hot.

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Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
You have the words of everlasting life.