Caramelized Apples With Honey Vanilla Crème Fraîche Recipes

CARAMEL APPLE CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Place apples in a microwave-safe dish; cover with water. Cover and microwave on high for 3-4 minutes or until tender. Drain apples and pat dry on paper towel. Arrange apples in the bottoms of six 6-oz. ramekins or custard cups. Top with caramel topping; set aside., In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar and cinnamon; stir in cream. Heat over medium heat until bubbles form around sides of pan. Remove from the heat; stir a small amount of hot mixture into the egg yolks. Return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Stir in vanilla., Pour into prepared ramekins. Place ramekins in a baking pan; add 1 in. of boiling water to pan. Bake, uncovered, at 325° until centers are just set (mixture will jiggle), 55-60 minutes. Remove ramekins from water bath; cool for 20 minutes. Cover and refrigerate overnight., If using a creme brulee torch, sprinkle remaining 4 tablespoons sugar evenly over custards. Heat sugar with the torch until caramelized. Serve immediately., If broiling the custards, place ramekins on a baking sheet; let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Sprinkle remaining 4 tablespoons sugar evenly over custards. Broil 8 in. from the heat for 4-7 minutes or until sugar is caramelized. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm.

HONEY-BAKED APPLES WITH CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• 1. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the skin from the top of the apple, around the stem. Using a melon baller, scoop out the core, being careful not to puncture the blossom end.
• 2. Arrange the apples upright in an 8-inch baking dish and pour honey in and around the apples. Pour the water into the dish.
• 3. Place a strip of lemon zest in each apple cavity, then squeeze the juice of 1 lemon evenly over the apples.
• 4. Bake the apples in a preheated 350-degree oven, on a rack in the middle position, until a fork inserted into the center meets little resistance, about 45-55 minutes.
• 5. Remove from baking dish and dollop each apple with creme fraiche.

HONEY BAKED APPLES

Steps:

• Put apricot pieces, wine and sugar in small saucepan; bring to the boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes; add raisins and continue to simmer for a further 5 minutes; remove from heat and stir in butter until it is melted; stir in lemon zest and cashews and cool completely (can be prepared to this point up to 1 day in advance; cover and refrigerate)
• Peel and core the apples, then cut in half lengthwise, resulting in 6 halves with an indentation down the length; as each one is peeled and cored, rub with reserved lemon juice to discourage discolouration; place apples, rounded side down, in glass baking dish just large enough to hold them in one layer; evenly distribute apricot filling amongst the 6 apple halves, mounding slightly at middle
• Preheat oven to 350°F
• In a small saucepan, bring all the honey syrup ingredients, plus any lemon juice remaining, to the boil; boil rapidly for 5 minutes to thicken syrup slightly, being careful not to let mixture boil over; remove from heat and spoon over apples
• Bake apples until tender when pierced with a sharp knife, about 45-55 minutes, basting 3-4 times; allow to cool 20 minutes before serving
• These baked apples are very rich and an excellent contrast would be some crème fraiche, thick greek yoghurt or sour cream; a dollop on each apple, with some of the juices spooned over, is very nice