Marsala Baked Apples Recipes

PARSNIPS AND APPLES WITH MARSALA

Steps:

• Peel the parsnips and halve them lengthwise, if very thick. Peel and core the apples. Chop the parsnips and apples into 1-inch pieces.
• Melt the butter in a large, heavy skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the parsnips and apples and cook, stirring continuously, until evenly coated with the butter, about 2 minutes.
• Add the sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring continuously, until the sugar melts, about 2 minutes. Pour in the Marsala, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add enough water to just barely cover the parsnips (about 2 cups). Bring to a simmer again, adjusting the heat as needed, then cover the pan and continue to simmer until the parsnips are just crisp-tender, about 20 minutes.
• Remove the lid, increase the heat and bring the liquid to a boil, reducing it until it turns into a syrupy sauce coating the parsnips and apples, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley, if using.

MARSALA-POACHED PEARS

Steps:

• Cut pears in half lengthwise and remove cores. Measure Marsala cooking wine into a small mixing bowl. Add brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg; stir to dissolve sugar.
• Melt butter in a large 12-inch skillet. Stir in Marsala mixture. Cook over medium heat until bubbly. Place pears in pan, cut side down. Cover and cook over medium-low heat 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 30-45 minutes or until cool enough to serve.
• Place each pear half in a small bowl. Stir remaining sauce in pan; drizzle each serving with 1-2 teaspoons warm sauce. Top with a small scoop of ice cream, and if desired, toasted pecans. Serve immediately.

MARSALA BAKED APPLES

Steps:

• Boil cider and Marsala in heavy medium saucepan until reduced to 1 cup, about 20 minutes. (Syrup can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Peel top quarter of each apple. Core apples without cutting through bottom. Place apples in 8x8x2-inch glass baking dish. Spoon 1 tablespoon brown sugar, then 1 tablespoon raisins into each apple.
• Stir 2 tablespoons brown sugar into syrup. Pour syrup over and around apples. Sprinkle nutmeg over. Place 1/2 tablespoon raisins into each apple.
• Bake apples until butter melts, about 5 minutes. Cover dish with foil and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until apples are tender, basting frequently with juices, about 25 minutes longer.
• Serve apples hot or warm in shallow bowls with ice cream and biscotti.