Mediterranean Baked Apple & Pears

If you were to visit the Meditteranean countries - desserts are served in the afternoon with coffee and teas. From what I have read - the normal dessert after a meal is fruit...preferrably tart most of the time. They do not snack like the Western world does. Also with Meditteranean healthy cooking - you will not find butter or flour in their desserts. Very healthy for you and you will sleep much better in the evening.

1/2 c. of brown sugar

1/4 c. chopped walnuts, almonds, or combination of both

1/4 c. of raisins or dried currants

4 medium to large apples

4 medium pear, still firm

1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 c. red wine, apple cider, or apple juice

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Rind from 1 small well-washed, organically grown

orange or lemon, cut in strips

Preheat oven to 300*

In a small bowl, combine 1/4 c of the brown sugar, nuts, and raisins. Set

aside.

Core the apples from the top, leaving about a 1/2" of apple at the base.

Don't core the pears, but slice off the very bottoms so they stand up

straight. Leave their stems intact.

Brush any peeled or cut fruit surfaces with lemon juice, then set the

fruits upright in a 1 to 1 1/2-quart baking pan or casserole. Stuff the

apples with the nut mixture.

In a saucepan, combine the wine, cider, or juice; cinnamon; nutmeg;

the remaining brown sugar; and the citrus rind. Heat to boiling,

then pour carefully over the fruit. Cover the pan with a lid or aluminum

foil, then bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until the fruits are soft when

pierced with a fork. Baste occasionally with the wine sauce during

baking.

Serve each piece of fruit in a shallow bowl or small dish with the wine

sauce spooned over the top.

Serves 8

Note: This recipe comes from The Mediterranean Diet (Paperback) Author: Marissa Cloutier, M.S., R.d., and Eve Adamson

This book can be purchased off of Amazon.Com

I absolutely love this book! It has wonderful recipes and great tips within. These Authors know exactly what they are talking about. I am glad I purchased it.