Buzz
Apples, in their simplicity, are a beloved companion to chefs, especially during the winter months. While apples usually ripen in the fall, they remain abundant throughout the winter season. Eating fresh apples all the time can become dull—so why not try preparing them in a different way? There are countless methods to cook with apples, and not only will you enjoy a tasty dish, but you'll also have something to keep you warm on chilly autumn days or cold winter nights.
Ingredients
Baked Apples
- 4 large apples
- ¼ cup (50 grams) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup (30 grams) chopped walnuts (optional)
- ¼ cup (40 grams) chopped raisins (optional)
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) butter
- ¾ cup (180 ml) hot water
Sautéed Apples
- 4 apples
- ½ cup (100 grams) butter
- ½ cup (100 grams) white or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Microwave Apples
- 2 apples
- 2 teaspoons (10 grams) unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons (25 grams) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Braised Apples
- 6 cups (700 grams) peeled and chopped Granny Smith apples
- ½ cup (100 grams) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) apple juice (or water)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Steps
Braised Apples
Prepare the apples. Peel and quarter the apples. Remove the cores, then cut the apples into small chunks.
Place all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Put a large pot on the stove, add the apples, apple juice, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves, then turn the heat up high and wait for it to come to a boil.
- If you prefer a less sweet dish, you can use water instead of apple juice. Stir the ingredients well.
Cover and simmer the apples over medium-low heat until they soften. Depending on the thickness of the apple slices, this can take anywhere from 25 to 45 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure the apples cook evenly.
Let the apples sit in the pot for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to fully develop and the apples to cool to a more comfortable eating temperature.
Finish the dish.
Baked Apples
Wash the apples, cut off the tops, and remove the cores. Use a melon baller or a metal spoon to scoop out the apple cores, ensuring the hole is about 2.5 cm wide. Leave more than 1 cm at the bottom of each apple.
- Choose apples suitable for baking, such as Golden Delicious, Jonagold, or Rome Beauty.
Make shallow cuts on the apple skin. Using a sharp knife, make a horizontal cut around the apple. Be sure to make multiple cuts: at the top, middle, and bottom of the apple. These cuts will prevent the skin from splitting when baked.
Preheat the oven to 190°C.
Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl. For a more unique flavor, you can also add some finely chopped walnuts and/or raisins.
Evenly distribute the sugar mixture among the 4 apples. Each apple should get one tablespoon of the mixture.
Add a small piece of butter on top of the brown sugar mixture. Cut the butter into four equal portions, then place one piece of butter on top of each apple. As it melts, the butter will blend with the sugar, creating a delicious sauce.
Place the apples in a baking dish and pour hot water into the dish. The hot water helps prevent the bottom of the apples from burning, while also mixing with the apple juices that leak out, creating a delicious sauce.
Bake the apples for about 30 - 45 minutes. The dish is done when the apples are tender and a fork can easily be inserted.
Let the apples cool slightly before serving. Use tongs to remove the apples from the baking dish and transfer them to a serving plate. If desired, you can drizzle the juice from the bottom of the dish over the apples.
Sautéed Apples
Prepare the apples. Wash and peel the apples first, then cut them according to one of the following methods:
- Core the apples, then slice them into rings.
- Cut the apples into thin wedges.
- Quarter the apples and then slice them into thick pieces, about 1 cm thick.
Melting butter in a pan over medium heat. Tilt the pan back and forth to spread the butter evenly across the bottom of the pan.
Stir the sugar and cinnamon together with the butter. You can use either white sugar or brown sugar, but brown sugar will provide a richer, more fragrant flavor. Continue stirring until the sugar and cinnamon are thoroughly mixed with the butter.
Add the apples and cook over medium heat for about 5-8 minutes. Occasionally stir the apples with a whisk or wooden spoon to ensure they cook evenly.
Enjoy while the apples are still warm. Spoon the apples into a bowl. If you'd prefer not to scoop up the sauce that runs off the apples, use a slotted spoon to lift the apples out.
Microwave-cooked apples
Cut off the tops of the apples, then use a melon baller or a metal spoon to core them. Try to hollow out a space of about 2.5 cm in diameter. Be sure to leave roughly 1 cm at the bottom of each apple.
Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl. Stir them together beforehand to ensure that each apple gets an equal amount of spice.
Spoon the sugar mixture into the center of each apple. Each apple should get one teaspoon of the sugar mix. If needed, gently tap to settle the mixture into the core.
Place a small cube of butter on top of the sugar in each apple. As the apples heat, the butter will melt and blend into the sugar, creating a sweet sauce that coats the apples.
Place the apples in a microwave-safe dish and cover them tightly with plastic wrap. Use a deep dish, like a ceramic baking dish or a casserole, to prevent juice from spilling while microwaving.
Microwave for about to 4 minutes. Keep in mind that microwave ovens vary slightly, so your apples might cook faster. If your microwave is not very powerful, the cooking time may take longer. The apples are done when they are soft.
Wait a few minutes before removing the plastic wrap and enjoying. Be careful, as steam will rise when you open the dish. It’s also a good idea to let the apples cool slightly before eating, as they will be very hot.
Tip
- You can cook the apples without spices like sugar, butter, or cinnamon, but the flavor won’t be as rich. However, if your recipe includes liquid, be sure to add water to prevent burning.
- Store apples in a cool place, preferably in the fridge, away from strong-smelling foods. Refrigerated apples should be used within 4-6 weeks.
- Serve baked or microwaved apples with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a creamy, indulgent treat!
- Prepare apples right after slicing to prevent browning. You can squeeze a little lemon juice over the slices to keep them fresh.
- Soak apple slices in a mixture of 1 part lemon juice to 3 parts water to prevent browning. Use the apples within 2 hours of soaking, or store them in the water and refrigerate for later use.
- If you're making apple sauce, the best varieties are Gala, Granny Smith, and Golden Delicious.
- Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, and Rome Beauty apples are also great choices for baked apples.
