Hi, foodies…
Wednesday’s live studio audience show was so much fun, and has given me a huge energy burst for the whole week! The live shows are always my favorite— there’s just such a buzz in the air when the studio is filled with 200 enthusiastic foodies who are ready to have a great time. Could you feel the excitement from home? We’re trying to do more of these, so be sure to keep a look out for a chance to get your free tickets!
I can’t wait to get back to ITKWD on Sunday, and we’ve got something special for you. Bobby Deen, a long-time friend of the show, will be with us. I’ve always loved his recipes, and this time, he’s brought us a great book, “From Mama’s Table to Mine,” filled with 120 recipes—all under 350 calories. It’s the perfect time of year for this book, as we’re all trying to get back to eating better after the holiday indulgence. Bobby’s taken everything he knows about delicious Southern home cooking, and lightened it up for us. I can’t wait for him to tell us all about it on Sunday—he’s even got some stuffed recipes to go with our theme this month!
Monday we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. day, and though Mondays are usually my day off, many of you will be staying home as well! How about we cook something yummy together? I’ve got the perfect breakfast for a cold winter morning. My Baked Stuffed Apples recipeis a delicious and decadent way to get your fruit in the morning, and will quickly become your go-to for a warm and comforting way to greet the morning. Americans have long had a love affair with the apple, and have found ways to sneak it into dishes of all kinds—sweet, savory, lunch, dinner, you name it! The health benefits are well known, and its versatility makes it a star in the produce world. Pair it with a little cinnamon, some oats, and caramel sauce, and you’ve got a meal that will keep you going all day long. Top anything with caramel and I’m IN! Try this recipe on MLK day to give your family a nutritious and flavorful start to the day.
Baked Stuffed Apples
This recipe is prepared using the Temp-tations® Floral Lace 24-Piece Oven-to-Table Set (K39348).
Go to David's Recipe Item Page for the full list of items that David has used in his recipes.
Ingredients:
4 large McIntosh or Honeycrisp apples
2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup pecans, chopped
1/4 cup golden raisins
Caramel sauce, for topping
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease an 8” x 8” baking dish, and set aside.
Remove the apple cores, cutting to within 1/2" of the bottom. Using a melon baller, scoop out a 1/2" wide well in the apple, around the core to create room for the stuffing. Sprinkle each of the apples with 1/2 tsp of the lemon juice.
Mix the brown sugar, rolled oats, nutmeg, and the cinnamon in a medium-size bowl until all of the ingredients are fully incorporated. Add in the melted butter, chopped pecans, and the golden raisins and mix until fully combined.
Divide the mixture evenly between the 4 apples, stuffing them completely. Place the apples into the prepared dish and bake, on the bottom rack of the oven, for 30–40 minutes. To test for doneness, carefully poke the apple with a paring knife—the apple should be soft and the knife should break through easily. Drizzle with the caramel sauce before serving.
Now, THAT’S how you eat an apple! I love how baking apples brings out their natural sweetness, but you have to remember that there are certain apples that are best for baking. McIntosh or Honeycrisps work well in this recipe because they hold their shape. But for snacking, I love me a juicy Red Delicious! What about you, foodies? My question for you today is what’s your favorite apple variety? Are you a Red Delicious person too? Or maybe you love the tartness of a Granny Smith? How about Golden Delicious—the perfect all-purpose apple? Is there a rare variety you have in your area?
See you Sunday, foodies!
Keep it Flavorful,
—David