Narnian Baked Apples
If you’re a fan of The Chronicles of Narnia, you’ve probably noticed that C.S. Lewis describes food quite often. Though the most well-known book in the series is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the other six books in the series also describe numerous meals in the land of Narnia. This baked apple recipe was inspired by a scene toward the end of The Silver Chair, in which the Dwarfs feed the children a delicious meal including “…great mugs of frothy chocolate, and roast potatoes and roast chestnuts, and baked apples with raisins stuck in where the cores had been…”
This recipe is delightfully easy, yet quite tasty, and will make your whole house smell like autumn.
Pair it with a hearty black tea such as Indian Assam and serve for dessert or as a wonderful addition to a brunch table.
Narnian Baked Apples with Raisin, Pecan, & Orange Zest Streusel
Serves 4.
Ingredients:
- 4 apples
- 14 pecan halves (set aside 4 of the nicest pecans for garnish, and coarsely chop the remaining 10 pecans)
- 2 Tbsp. rolled oats
- 3 packed Tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 heaping Tbsp. raisins
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
- 3 Tbsp. cold, salted butter cut into slices
- Zest from half a small orange plus 4 tsp. of orange juice
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375° F.
- Cut off the top of the apples to make a flat surface (about 1/8 – 1/4 inch).
- Using a small pairing knife, cut around the core of the apple, being careful NOT to cut all the way through to the bottom, then scoop out the core using a grapefruit spoon or other small pointed spoon.
- Arrange the apples in a baking dish and put two tablespoons of water in the bottom of the dish. Put 1 teaspoon of orange juice into each apple.
- For the streusel filling, stir the pecans, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl. Add the butter and orange zest and mix with your fingers until everything is evenly combined. You’ll have to rub the cold butter into the dry ingredients with your fingers to work it in evenly.
- Divide the mixture evenly between the four apples. Press it down into the cavities and then allow it to mound on top.
- Bake for 30 minutes on the center rack of the preheated oven.
- Garnish by sprinkling with a cinnamon-sugar mixture and top with a pecan half.
Enjoy!
