BAKED STUFFED APPLES

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 2 Granny Smith apples*

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1 cup fresh cranberries

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

• 6 dates, pitted and chopped,

• Juice and zest of 1 orange

• 2 tablespoons roasted almonds, roughly chopped

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cut 1/2 inch off the top of each. Use a paring knife or spoon to hollow out apples. Set aside. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cranberries, honey, cardamom, dates and orange juice and zest and cook until cranberries begin to shrivel and liquid thickens, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in almonds.

Spoon cranberry mixture into apples. Put into a small glass baking dish filled with 1/4 inch water, cover with foil and bake until tender, about 25 to 30 minutes (depending on size of apples). Uncover, carefully out the water and continue baking until very tender and golden, 10 to 15 minutes more.

Rome apples can also be used.