Easy stuffed baked apples + a giveaway!
These past few months have been a whirlwind of emotions. We’ve been on the hunt for a new house, and for those who have experienced what it’s like to try to buy a house in an already-overpriced market in a sought-after city, well, you probably understand how tough it can be.
We’ve lived in our “starter” home for the last six years, doing one renovation after another. After our last large reno, which involved adding a sunroom addition on to the back of the kitchen that served as my photo studio, we realized we’re ready for something new. Don’t get me wrong—I love our little house—but we’re starting to get the itch for something new, maybe (hopefully) a little closer to the downtown core.
We’ve had our heart set on a particular area in the east end of Toronto for some time now, but never thought we’d be able to afford it. The bidding wars here are kind of insane—most houses are priced low to attract attention and then end up in bidding wars with a sale price at least $100,000 over asking. It kind of blows my mind.
The experience parallels speed dating in many ways: a house goes on the market on a Tuesday, for example, and then you have to look at it and decide if you’re willing to bid on it before they take offers the following Tuesday. In other words, you see it, chat for 30 seconds, and decide whether you’re ready for marriage (not just a second date). Over the last three months, we have fallen in love with and then subsequently lost three houses to higher bidders.
I can’t wait to tell you more very soon. In the meantime, let’s talk about these incredible stuffed baked apples, a recipe that may be one of the last to come out of my current (soon-to-be someone else’s) kitchen. I figured I should make use of my stainless steel double oven before it’s time to say goodbye (sigh).
This recipe could not be any simpler, but the end result is undeniable. Here, fresh Autumn apples are stuffed with a sweet caramel-coated granola and then baked for just long enough to soften the apples and bring out their flavour, much like a traditional apple crisp flavour. Top them off with vegan vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for an incredible treat everyone will go crazy for.
This, right here, is what fall is all about.
Coincidentally, this week we’re celebrating National Organic Week here in Canada, the largest annual homage to organic food, farming and products across the country. As part of the fun, my friends at Nature’s Path have offered to gift one ADC reader with a box full of organic and vegan-friendly goodies from Nature’s Path and some of my favourite organic brands! Check out the giveaway below.
PrintEasy stuffed baked apples
Yield: Serves 3
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons brown rice syrup
- 2 tablespoons cashew butter
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened nondairy milk
- 3/4 cup Nature's Path Pumpkin Flax Granola
- 3 medium organic apples
- vegan vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional, but so good!)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- In a bowl, whisk together the brown rice syrup, cashew butter and nondairy milk until combined and smooth. Add the granola and stir until the granola is well coated.
- Slice the tops off the apples and use a spoon to scoop out the core, seeds and enough of the flesh to create a bowl in the centre for the filling. Spoon the filling mixture into the scooped-out apples, pressing gently to pack it in.
- Place the stuffed apples in a small baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until the apples are softened. Serve warm with ice cream, if desired.
Giveaway
This awesome gift box of organic goodies provided by Nature’s Path is one I know you’ll love (it’s a $100 value!). The gift box includes:
- Nature’s Path granolas, including Pumpkin Flax Granola and Coconut Chia Granola, as well as Flax Plus Flakes Cereal
- EnviroKidz Peanut Butter Panda Puffs Cereal
- Que Pasa Mexican Foods premium organic salsa
- Amy’s Kitchen Lentil Vegetable Soup
- Camino Simply Dark Hot Chocolate
- Crofter’s Organic Jam
- Free product voucher for Earthbound Farm Organic product
- Ethical Bean Coffee
- Free product voucher for Happy Planet Fresh Soups
- Manitoba Harvest Organic Hemp Hearts
- PRANA Kilimanjaro Organic Deluxe Chocolate Trail Mix
- Pacific Foods Organic Mushroom Broth
- Free product voucher for Silver Hills Bakery product
The giveaway is open to Canadian residents only (sorry, international friends). Use the widget below to enter and I’ll choose a random winner on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway