Retro Baked Apples

 Apples are ripe and the season is here for apple picking.  If you came home with a bushel of apples, try this easy dessert.   Bake in the oven to fully enjoy the benefits of the aroma of this delicious dish. My spices of choice are from TheSpiceHouse.  If you haven't visited one of their locations or ordered their spices online, you don't know what you're missing.  Each time I receive my order and open the box, the scents of only the freshest spices are revealed to everyone in the room.  

Granny Smith apples taste great in this recipe but I use Honeycrisp (my Fall absolute favorite).  Granny Smith will provide you with not as sweet a taste, allowing the sugars in the dish to bring out the sweetness.  Wash and core your apples.  Fill the inside with a 1/4 tsp. of brown sugar, sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg and raisins (optional), and top with a pat of butter.  Place in a baking dish with a 1/2 cup of water and bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until tender.  Allow to cool for a few minutes and top it with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

All photos by Lakehouselyn

Turn your Farmers Market Finds into Dessert

When I visit the farmers market, I like to buy fresh peaches, nectarines and plums.  They make an easy and delicious dessert during these warm summer months.  Simply slice your fruit, place them on a hot grill until you see slight char marks, and serve them topped with vanilla ice cream.  Sometimes I will sprinkle cinnamon sugar lightly on the fruit before the ice cream for a little extra sweet.  Enjoy!

Do You Grill your Fruit?

Grill your Peaches and Blueberries and top with an easy Amaretto Sauce

           

                                           
This is the season for fresh garden market peaches and blueberries, so why not make a dessert out of these delectable and tasty treats?  This recipe will serve 4.

Amaretto Sauce Ingredients:
3/4 stick unsalted butter, 6 tablespoons amaretto or other almond liqueur and a pinch of salt (I like sea salt)
Fruit:
4 peaches, halved and pitted (can substitute nectarines), 1 pint blueberries

Prepare a medium hot fire in your grill.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.  Remove from the heat and stir in the Amaretto and salt.  Keep warm.

Brush peaches all over with the buttery sauce.  Place them cut side down on the grill for 4 to 6 minutes, turning and basting one time, until the peaches are tender.

To serve, place 2 peach halves in a bowl and divide the blueberries between them.  Spoon remaining Amaretto sauce over them topped with vanilla ice cream.