We live in a world of opportunities – countless of them, that erupt from every nook and corner. We also live in a world of easy influences, innumerable information outlets that manage cross our paths every hour of the day. Social media is perhaps the strongest source of this – whether it is fake news, unsupported or unverified research or simply a trend that was half-heartedly posted about. We live in a world that is full of halves – and the more I realise this truth, the more I worry about the dangers. We get swayed so easily, indulge in flimsy conversations, feel the urge to make quick decisions, and I am guilty of this too from time-to-time. But a conscious self-evaluation helps set you right, bring you back to the essence of what you want in your life.
There is a good solid rationale behind my passion for food – it’s real, tangible and has logical reasoning. You know that if you whisk eggs into butter and sugar, followed by flour, the chemistry will work to bake into a cake. There is surety, there is comfort. It helps you think straight and believe that most things are very much in your control. It brings me down to earth – the realities and in a very positive fearless way.
Now, this recipe is another tangent of surety, comfort and warmth. This recipe is for one, simply multiply for the number of guests you have – or on how greedy you’re feeling. The dates are cooked quickly in orange juice and spices, with nuttiness from ground walnuts, then stuffed into the apple, and baked to glory in a matter of 20 minutes – perfect to be served with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.
Of course, this is an extremely adaptable recipe – one that you make your own based on your likings, cravings and most importantly, what’s in your fridge! A few other ideas: chocolate, peanut butter, chopped up candies, pretzels, fresh fruits and berries, nuts – you know the drill!
The Recipe
Serves 1
Ingredients
- 1 apple
- 1/4 cup dates, chopped
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of vanilla bean powder
- vanilla ice cream
- caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C
- Prepare a baking tray with parchment paper
- Slice the top part of the apple for the lid and set aside
- Gently using a melon-baller, scoop out the inside of the apple, careful not to reach the bottom
- Set aside the apple parts that you’ve removed and finely chop them up
- Place a pan on medium heat and add the chopped up apples, dates, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon and orange juice
- Cook the filling until all are soft and can be mashed up together with a potato masher and then stir in the ground walnuts
- Stuff this filling into the apple and cover with the lid
- Bake for 20 minutes
- Remove and serve hot with vanilla ice cream and drizzle of caramel ice cream