Healthy LIVing with LIV Communities and Paradise Fields

Come pick up a free bag of apples* at any of our sales centres

For a limited time, LIV Communities is proud to partner with Paradise Fields as we offer some Healthy LIVing for FREE. Visit our 3 participating sales centres, and you can grab a FREE bag of Ontario’s freshest and most nutrient rich apples, courtesy of LIV Communities and Paradise Fields. Details on where to pick up the free apples are at the bottom of this page.

We have 3 sales centres, so you can grab 3 different varieties of apples: Gala, Honeycrisp or Ambrosia. While you could just rinse and bite straight into them, LIV has some tastier ideas. Here are some of the characteristics of each, and some suggestions on how to best bake/cook each type of apple.

Gala

Flavor & Texture: Mildly sweet, floral, with a tender-crisp texture that breaks down beautifully in baking or blends seamlessly into savory dishes.

• Gala Apple & Brie Stuffed Chicken Breast: Slit chicken breasts to create a pocket, then stuff with thinly sliced Gala apples, creamy Brie cheese, fresh thyme, and a drizzle of honey. Pan-sear and finish in the oven for a rich, sweet-savory dinner.
• Warm Cinnamon-Gala Apple Butter: Cook peeled, diced Gala apples down with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a splash of cider in a slow cooker or saucepan until velvety and dark. Spread it over toast, oatmeal, or pancakes.

Honeycrisp

Flavor & Texture: Ultra-crispy, juicy, with a pronounced sweet-tart balance. Excellent raw, in salads, or baked when you want clear, defined apple pieces.

• Honeycrisp, Goat Cheese & Walnut Salad: Toss crisp slices of raw Honeycrisp apples with mixed greens, crumbled goat cheese, toasted walnuts, and dried cranberries. Finish with a bright maple-dijon vinaigrette.
• Classic Honeycrisp Apple Crisp: Bake sliced Honeycrisp apples tossed with lemon juice and cinnamon under a golden topping of rolled oats, butter, flour, and brown sugar. Honeycrisp holds its shape without turning to mush.

Ambrosia

Flavor & Texture: Low acidity, honey-like sweetness, and a silky crisp bite. Notably slow to turn brown after slicing, making it ideal for visual presentations.

• Ambrosia Apple & Prosciutto Flatbread: Top pre-baked flatbread or pizza dough with olive oil, shredded mozzarella, thinly sliced Ambrosia apples, and fresh arugula. Bake until bubbly, then layer with prosciutto and finish with a balsamic glaze drizzle.
• Ambrosia Apple & Cheddar Galette: Fold a rustic pie crust over a center of layered Ambrosia slices combined with sharp white cheddar cheese and fresh sage leaves. Bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and browned.

Sound like some good ideas? Here are some more details so you can give these delicious suggestions a shot.

1. Gala Apple Recipes

Gala Apple & Brie Stuffed Chicken Breast

Yield: 4 servings | Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (large)
• 1 medium Gala apple, cored and thinly sliced
• 4 oz Brie cheese, sliced
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prep the Chicken: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut a horizontal pocket into the thickest side of each chicken breast without slicing all the way through. Season inside and out with salt and pepper.
2. Stuff: Fill each pocket with 3–4 slices of Gala apple, slices of Brie, a pinch of fresh thyme, and a drizzle of honey. Secure the edges with toothpicks if needed.
3. Sear: Heat olive oil and butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown.
4. Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Warm Cinnamon-Gala Apple Butter

Yield: Approx. 2 cups | Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 4–6 hours (Slow Cooker)

Ingredients

• 3 lbs Gala apples (about 8–10 medium), peeled, cored, and chopped
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup apple cider or water

Instructions

1. Combine: Place sliced Gala apples into a slow cooker. Add sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and apple cider. Toss well to combine.
2. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours (or HIGH for 4 hours) until apples are deeply darkened and soft.
3. Purée: Stir in the vanilla extract. Use an immersion blender (or carefully transfer to a countertop blender) to purée until completely smooth.
4. Thicken: Uncover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for another 30–60 minutes to allow moisture to evaporate until it reaches a thick, spreadable texture. Cool and transfer to airtight jars.

2. Honeycrisp Apple Recipes

Honeycrisp, Goat Cheese & Walnut Salad

Yield: 4 servings | Prep time: 15 mins

Ingredients

Salad:

• 2 Honeycrisp apples, cored and thinly sliced
• 5 cups mixed baby greens or arugula
• 4 oz crumbled goat cheese
• 1/2 cup toasted walnut halves
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries

Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette:

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Make Dressing: Whisk olive oil, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl until emulsified.
2. Assemble: In a large salad bowl, arrange greens as a base. Top evenly with Honeycrisp apple slices, crumbled goat cheese, toasted walnuts, and dried cranberries.
3. Serve: Drizzle dressing over the salad right before serving and toss gently.

Classic Honeycrisp Apple Crisp

Yield: 6–8 servings | Prep time: 20 mins | Cook time: 45 mins

Ingredients

Filling:

• 5 medium Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp cornstarch

Topping:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch baking dish.
2. Apple Layer: Toss sliced Honeycrisp apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Transfer into the prepared dish and spread evenly.
3. Make Topping: In a medium bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
4. Bake: Spread the topping evenly over the apple layer. Bake for 40–45 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

3. Ambrosia Apple Recipes

Ambrosia Apple & Prosciutto Flatbread

Yield: 2–4 servings | Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 12 mins

Ingredients

• 2 flatbreads or naan crusts
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 medium Ambrosia apple, cored and thinly sliced
• 3 oz prosciutto slices
• 1 cup fresh arugula
• 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
• Cracked black pepper

Instructions

1. Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place flatbreads on a large baking sheet.
2. Base: Brush flatbreads lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle evenly with shredded mozzarella.
3. Top: Arrange thin slices of Ambrosia apples across the cheese.
4. Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
5. Garnish: Immediately drape fresh prosciutto over the hot flatbread, scatter fresh arugula on top, drizzle with balsamic glaze, and finish with freshly cracked black pepper. Slice and serve immediately.

Ambrosia Apple & Cheddar Galette

Yield: 6 servings | Prep time: 20 mins | Cook time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• 1 store-bought or homemade refrigerated pie crust (rolled out to 12 inches)
• 2 medium Ambrosia apples, cored and sliced thin
• 1 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 tbsp fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 egg + 1 tbsp water (for egg wash)
• Cracked black pepper

Instructions

1. Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unroll pie crust onto parchment.
2. Apple Mixture: In a bowl, toss sliced Ambrosia apples with lemon juice, chopped sage, and honey.
3. Layer: Sprinkle 3/4 cup of the sharp white cheddar onto the center of the pie crust, leaving a 2-inch border around the edge. Arrange apple slices in an overlapping fan pattern over the cheese. Top with remaining cheddar.
4. Fold & Wash: Fold the 2-inch edges of the crust over the filling, pleating as you go. Brush the exposed pastry with the egg wash.
5. Bake: Bake for 30–35 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and the apples are tender. Cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

Visit any of our 3 currently selling sales centres during open hours:

Nature’s Grand, Electric Grand, Sienna Woods and Scenic Ridge: 1028 Rest Acres Road, Paris, Ontario

Luma: 157 Parkside Drive, Waterdown, Ontario

Serenity Bay and Cedars at Brydon Bay: 9361 Highway 11, Severn, Ontario

*One bag per family. Bags will be provided at the sales centre and contain roughly 6-8 apples. Only available while supplies last. Conditions may apply. Recipes are suggestions only and to be used at your own discretion. Please take note of any personal allergies and avoid harmful ingredients.