BAKED APPLES w/CANDIED WALNUTS

By BobD

Ingredients

• 4 SERVINGS
• 2 Gala or Golden Delicious apples
• 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup plus 1/2 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup walnut pieces, toasted
• 1/4 cup cup thick yogurt (preferably Greek), sour cream, or creme fraiche
• 2 teaspoons honey plus additional (optional) for drizzling

Details

Servings 4
Adapted from gourmet.com

Preparation

Step 1

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 450F. Oil a baking sheet.

Halve apples lengthwise and remove core with a melon-ball cutter or a paring knife.

Melt butter in a 10-inch heavy ovenproof skillet over moderate heat and sprinkle with 1/2 tablespoon sugar.

Arrange apple halves, cut sides down, on sugar and cook, undisturbed, until sugar begins to caramelize, 3 to 5 minutes.

Transfer skillet to oven and bake apples until tender, about 15 minutes.

While apples are baking, cook remaining 1/4 cup sugar with salt in a dry 7- to 8-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat, undisturbed, until sugar begins to melt, about 2 minutes.

Continue to cook, stirring occasionally with a fork, until sugar is melted into a deep golden caramel, 1 to 2 minutes more.

Remove from heat. Add walnuts, stirring to coat, then pour onto baking sheet and cool 10 minutes. Break nuts into small pieces if necessary.

Stir together yogurt and 2 teaspoons honey.

Serve apples, cut sides up, topped with yogurt and nuts.

Drizzle with additional honey if desired.