Recipe of the Week - Baked Apples with Dried Fruit and Walnuts - sapwellness.com
Ingredients
· 6 medium organic Golden Delicious apples
· 1 cup (250 mL) walnut pieces
· 1/2 cup (125 mL) organic raisins or dried organic cranberries
· 1/4 cup (50 mL) unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)
· 2 tbsp (30 mL) pure maple syrup
· 1 tsp (5 mL) grated lemon zest
· 1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground cinnamon
· 1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground nutmeg
· 1/2 cup (125 mL) naturally prepared apricot jam
· 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) organic apple cider
· 1 tbsp organic (15 mL) butter
· 1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla extract
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a shallow 8 x 12-inch (20 x 30 cm), or similar, baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Core apples all the way through with an apple corer, making a 1-inch (2.5 cm) wide hole. Peel the upper third of each apple. Using a sharp paring knife, score the flesh about 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) deep around the circumference, more or less where the peeled and unpeeled areas meet. With the paring knife angled down, cut a shallow crater around the top of the hole to help hold the preserves that will go there. Set aside while you make the filling.
3. Place walnuts, raisins (or dried cranberries) and coconut (if using) in a food processor. Chop the mixture fairly well, but not too fine; you want it to remain somewhat textured. Add syrup, lemon zest, cinnamon and nutmeg; pulse several times to combine.
4. Place the apples in the prepared baking dish and gently press 1/4 cup (50 mL) filling into each cavity. Spoon a generous tablespoon of apricot jam into the crater of each apple.
5. Combine cider and butter in a small saucepan; heat over low heat until the butter has melted. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla. Pour the liquid over and around the apples.