Tropical Baked Apples
with Pistachios & Cherries

Summary

Preparation: 15mins
Cooking time: 35-40mins

Serves 4

Nutritional Info

293 calories
8.9g fat
1.2g saturated fat
0.1g salt

Recipe Source

Waitrose.com

Comments

A lighter, more exotic version of a traditional winter dish, using semi-dried tropical fruits and cherries for sweetness.

This recipe was first published on Waitrose.com in April 2005.

Ingredients

4 eating apples, such as Braeburns or Cox's
125g soft tropical fruits, finely chopped
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lime
6 preserved cherries, quartered
150ml fresh orange juice

2tbsp roasted pistachio nuts, chopped
1tbsp clear honey

TO SERVE
Natural or Greek yoghurt

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4. Core the apples, then cut in half horizontally. Place the halves in a single layer, cut-side up, in a medium-sized shallow ovenproof dish.

In a small bowl, mix the tropical fruits with the lime zest and juice, add the cherries and stir to combine. Take each apple half and use a teaspoon to stuff the cavity with the filling. Then spread the top with the remaining filling. Repeat until all the apples are filled. Tip any remaining lime juice over the apples, then pour the orange juice over and scatter with the pistachio nuts. Drizzle with the honey and cover the dish with foil.

Place in the oven for 35-40mins, removing the foil after 20mins, until the apples are tender but still holding their shape. Serve hot with natural or Greek yogurt.

Cook's tips
Keep the apples in lemon juice and water as you prepare them, to prevent discolouration. To stop the semi-dried fruit sticking to your knife, keep dipping the knife in a cup of hot water as you chop.

Wine
The Somerset Pomona, a blend of cider brandy and apple juice, would be a great accompaniment to the sweet tangy apples.