There are a lot of takes on baked apples with honey, but this is my favorite because of the addition of apricots, raisins and savory spices. Serve this dish on its own or with ice cream for a healthful treat that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
1) In a medium saucepan, combine the apple cider, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for about 25 minutes or so, or until mixture is syrupy and reduced to about 2 2/3 cups.
2) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put the apples, cut side down, in a 12-inch baking pan. Distribute the raisins, apricots, cloves, star anise, and cinnamon sticks, if using, over the apples. Pour the hot syrup over the apples. Cover the pan with aluminum foil.
3) Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until the apples are almost tender, but NOT mushy. Remove apples from the oven, flip them apples over, and add the brandy. Baste apples with the apple cider and apple brandy many times, allowing the apples to absorb the flavor. Let the pan stand, covered, for 15 minutes.
Serve baked apples with the liquid and dried fruits spooned over them in a bowl. Served with whipped heavy cream or ice cream and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
📸: Popsugar Foods
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Propolis is a resinous mixture produced by honey bees when they collect sap from trees and mix it with beeswax and enzymes. The result: nature’s own protective compound, used by bees to seal their hive and guard against bacteria, fungi, and weather.
Because of its rich composition of polyphenols, flavonoids, and antimicrobial compounds, propolis is now valued as a “bee-made immunity booster” and “ wellness ally.” PMC+2PMC+2
Let’s get real about honey bees for a second: These little guys are basically the world’s MVPs. You think they buzz around making honey for your toast? Bees: The Real Foodies’ Wingmen, Here’s the serious bit: When bees start dropping off, it’s a big red flag for the environment. They’re like those canaries in the coal mine—if they’re not okay, odds are, we’re messing something up (pesticides, climate, you know the drill). Saving the bees isn’t just about saving honey; it’s about keeping our own butts.
Bee Pollen vs. Royal Jelly vs. Propolis: There are numerous bee products available, so let’s take a moment to examine the differences between bee pollen, royal jelly, and propolis.
Bee products have been revered for thousands of years, trans-culturally, for nourishment, healing, and well-being. Today, they are being rediscovered as natural superfoods. Three of the most popular treasures of the hive are bee pollen, royal jelly, and propolis. They’re often combined, but each is also quite distinct in its origins, components and health benefits. Appreciating these differences can help you make the most of what nature’s hardest workers offer.
