Baked Apples Stuffed With Cranberries and Almonds

Ingredients

• 2 granny smith apples
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen and thawed)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 6 dates, pitted and chopped
• 1 orange, juice and zest of
• 2 tablespoons roasted almonds, roughly chopped

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. 2

   Cut 1/2 inch off the top of the apples and reserve tops. Use a paring knife or spoon to hollow out the apples, leaving about a 1/2-inch thick wall and base. Set aside.

3. 3

   Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

4. 4

   Add cranberries, honey, cardamom, dates and orange juice and zest and cook until the cranberries begin to collapse and liquid thickens, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in almonds.

5. 5

   Spoon cranberry mixture into apples then replace the apple tops. Put into a small baking dish filled with 1/4 inch water, cover with foil and bake until tender, 15 to 30 minutes (depending on apples).

6. 6

   Uncover, and carefully pour off the water and continue baking until very tender and golden, 10 to 15 minutes more.