by Christianne Klein, author of Christianne’s Herbal Kitchen: Fresh Herb Recipes for Body and Soul

This tasty dish is a perfect guilt-free holiday dessert. With no added fats, it gets its delicious, complex flavors from fresh thyme, cranberries, cinnamon, brandy and the apple’s own juices. The fresh thyme brings a gentle and delicate herb taste to the cinnamon spice and natural sweet apple, while the cranberries add a crisp tart bite. Add the spiced brandy glaze and you have a rich tasting dessert without the fat or calories. It’s amazing!

Ingredients:

2 organic apples

2 sprigs fresh thyme

Pinch of cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon light brown sugar

4 teaspoons dried cranberries

1 cup spiced apple cider

Fresh thyme leaves for garnish

Spiced Brandy Cider Glaze

3/4 cup remaining juices and cider from baked apples

1/4 cup brandy

1 tablespoon light brown sugar

1 cinnamon stick

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F.

For Thyme Baked Apples: Wash apples thoroughly to remove any residue. Core apples to remove seeds, making sure not to puncture the bottom of the apples so juices will stay inside during the baking process. In the center cavity of each apple, place one sprig of thyme, a pinch of cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon light brown sugar. Top each apple with 2 teaspoons dried cranberries. Place apples in small baking dish and surround with 1 cup spiced apple cider.

Bake for 45-55 minutes or until desired softness.

Remove apples from baking dish and set aside on serving tray. Cover tray to keep apples warm. Reserve remaining apple cider juices for glaze.

For Spiced Brandy Cider Glaze: Combine 3/4 cup reserved apple cider juices, 1/4 cup brandy, 1 tablespoon light brown sugar and 1 cinnamon stick in medium saucepan and cook over medium-high heat. Simmer until sauce is reduced by half, about 15-20 minutes, stirring regularly. For a more intense glaze, continue to reduce glaze until desired taste and consistency is reached.

Spoon glaze over apples. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves and serve immediately.

Serves 2

Note: The Spiced Brandy Cider Glaze is flavor packed but not a thick sauce. If you desire a thicker sauce, feel free to add a thickening agent.

Christianne Klein is an Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist, author, television host and former national news anchor for ABC News.  She has appeared on numerous television programs, cooking her favorite healthy recipes, and also worked alongside Chef Emeril Lagasse on an episode of his show “Emeril Green”.  Known for growing and cooking with her own fresh herbs, Christianne has compiled her favorite recipes, information and beauty tips into one amazing cookbook, Christianne’s Herbal Kitchen: Fresh Herb Recipes for Body and Soul.  Christianne is the founder of Truth Fairy TV (TruthFairyTV.com), a website devoted to health, beauty and inspiration.

For more information or to order a copy of Christianne’s Herbal Kitchen, go to TheHerbCookbook.com

Tags: Baked Apples, Chrisitanne's Herb Kitchen, Fall meals, herbs, The Herb Cookbook