Baked Apples

Ingredients

    * 2 apples
    * 2 tablespoons brown sugar
    * 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    * 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    * 2 teaspoons butter

Directions

   1. Core the apples, leaving the bottom intact.
   2. In a bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Spoon the sugar mixture into the apples and set a teaspoon (or more to your taste) of butter on top of each apple. Place the apples in a deep casserole dish and cover.
   3. Microwave for 3 1/2 to 4 minutes or until tender. Let the apples sit for a couple minutes before serving.


You can use additional fruits such as dates, cranberries, cherries and blueberries. You can also used canned or fresh pineapple.

If you prefer a more natural apple flavor, you can simply put a pat of butter into the cored apple before microwaving. When it's done, lightly sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar (just as if you were making cinnamon toast).

OR

Try putting some oranage marmalade, sprinkle some ground cinnamon and nutmeg and sprinkle some finely chopped walnuts or pecans on the cooked apple.

Here's a different version of baked apple:

Ingredients

    * 3 medium tart apples, cored
    * 2 teaspoons lemon juice
    * 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
    * 1/3 cup ketchup
    * 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
    * 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
    * 1/4 cup water

Directions

   1. Cut apples in half; brush with 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Place in an ungreased 11-in. x 7-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Combine the brown sugar, ketchup, butter, horseradish and remaining lemon juice. Top each apple half with 2 tablespoons ketchup mixture. Pour water around apples.
   2. Cook in microwave as directed above or bake, uncovered, at 325 degrees F for 30 minutes or until apples are tender. Serve warm.