Curtis Baked Apples Food

BAKED APPLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Scoop out the core from top of the apple, leaving a well. Do not cut all the way through. Stuff each apple with 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 tablespoon butter. Place in a shallow baking dish and sprinkle with cinnamon.
• Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, until sugar begins to caramelize and apples are tender.

PIE BAKED APPLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cut the top 1/2 inch from the 4 apples. Using a melon baller or spoon, dig out the insides of the apples and reserve, leaving 1/4 inch flesh next to the skin. Remove the cores and seeds and discard.
• Coarsely chop the scooped fruit and add it to a medium bowl; you should have at least 1 1/2 cups. If not, peel, core and dice the additional apple and add it to the bowl. Sprinkle the lemon juice over top and toss to coat. Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt to the bowl and mix. Divide the filling among the hollowed-out apples.
• Roll out the pie crust and using a pastry wheel, cut it into 1/4-inch-thick strips. Brush a light coating of egg wash along the top edge of each apple. Weave the strips into a lattice atop each apple, using the egg wash to adhere (see Cook's Note). Lightly brush the top of each lattice with the egg wash.
• Place the apples in an 8-by-8-inch baking dish. Add 1 inch of water to the bottom of the dish. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until the crusts are golden brown and the filling is bubbling, an additional 25 minutes. Place the apples on a cooling rack to cool to room temperature before serving.

CURTIS' APPLE BUTTER

Steps:

• Place all in pot. Cook for 2 1/2 hours, mashing apples occasionally, until color turns deep brown.
• Tip: APPLE RINGS
• Slice apples paper thin in rings. Spread on nonstick baking sheet, and bake at 220 degrees for one hour.

CIDER-DIJON PORK CHOPS WITH ROASTED SWEET POTATOES AND APPLES

Steps:

• 1. Remove the pork from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature while the oven preheats. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place a large rimmed baking sheet in the oven and heat until very hot.
• 2. To cook the vegetables and apples: In a large bowl, toss the sweet potatoes, apples, fennel, and rosemary with the olive oil to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and spread the vegetables and apples on it. Roast, turning the ingredients over halfway through, for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are nicely browned and tender.
• 3. Meanwhile, cook the pork: Season the pork with salt and pepper. Heat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, then add the chops to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and barely pink when pierced in the center with the tip of a small sharp knife. Transfer to a platter (reserving the oil in the skillet) and let stand for 5 minutes.
• 4. Pour off all but 1 teaspoon of the oil from the skillet, leaving the brown bits in the pan. Return the pan to medium-low heat, add the apple cider, and bring to a simmer, scraping up the brown bits with a wooden spoon. Whisk in the mustard and simmer for about 2 minutes to reduce the liquid slightly. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter to lightly thicken the sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• 5. Divide the sweet potato mixture among four dinner plates. Place a pork chop alongside the vegetables on each plate. Drizzle with the pan sauce and serve.