Monday, December 1, 2008

Basic Baked Apples

Hi! Okay, so have you all seen Twilight? It was awesome in case you haven't. However, I would strongly suggest you read the books first before seeing the movie if you haven't. Breaking Dawn sucked but I like the general idea. Except Reneseme...that was...bizarre. Twilight was really good. It took me a little while to get used to Robert Pattinson as Edward but he did him really well. I liked the actor for Alice she was really good. Emmet was awesome and I loved the actor for Rosalie. And Carlisle! When he came onto screen the whole theater was like Whoa! Anyway. The Baked Apples recipe. Really good. No problems and everyone loved it. The filling makes really good granola too.

Basic Baked Apples
This recipe called for only two apples but I used four and just added a little more of the ingredients that it called for.

2 tsp. butter
(However much you think you need)Plane-grated cinnamon (just regular ground cinnamon is good), fennel seeds (be REALLY careful with this because I put in a little too much), and cloves. (You can also try cardomom and star anise. I haven't yet)
1/3 cup quick-cooked oats or instant oatmeal. (crushed cereal is good too...I guess. I used the oatmeal)
2 tbsp. raw sugar plus 1 tbsp honey OR 1 HEAPING tbsp sugar plus 1 tsp dark brown sugar.
1/3 tsp. Lime zest (optional but it makes it healthier)
2 Granny Smith apples (make sure that if you use more than two that you add a little more to the mix.). You can also use Fuji apples but they're not as healthy.

1. Mix together butter, spices, oats, and 2. tbps sugar.
2. Using an apple corer (or just a knife but be careful not to destroy your apples), bore out the center of the apple and pack granola mix inside and bake for 40min.
3. Apples should be firm yet soft and fragrant. Drizzle the top with honey and brown sugar. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream. You can add nuts if you want but since I'm allergic I obviously don't.

And that's it. It's really good for any time of year but especially around now. Enjoy! Miya

Apple Cherry Cobbler

Hey again! This recipe I've made dozens of times and everyone always loves it. Its REALLY good. The only problem is that it varies. The batter that you put at the bottom of the pan rises sometimes and doesn't others. The first time I made it it rose almost completely over the top. The rest of the times that I made it it rose only a little. If I tried to bake it any longer it would've burned. So what I'm saying is, if you don't care what the cobbler looks like then it doesn't really matter. And I'm not saying that its ugly either. It's actually really pretty either way because there's this pretty deep red color if the batter doesn't rise. Either way its delicious. However, if anyone can find a way to fix this, lemme know!

Apple Cherry Cobbler

12 Servings

INGREDIENTS
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup all purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 can cherry pie filling (21 oz)
1 can apple pie filling (21 oz)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

TOPPING
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons, butter, softened

DIRECTIONS
1. In a bowl, combine first four ingredients.
2. Combine flour and baking powder; add to egg mixture and blend well
3. Pour into greased 13in x 9in x 2in baking pan (really any size will do. I never paid attention to that and if its too big its fine just spread. Too small? Pack it!)
4. For topping, combine all ingredients; sprinkle over filling. (My sisters like to eat this mix plain. :I)
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-45 min or until bubbly and the fork test thing is done. If necessary cover edges with foil to prevent over-browning. (never tried that)

And that's about all. Enjoy!
Miya <3<3<3