This is a repeat of one of my (it’s Debra again!) favorite desserts (to complement just about anything).  No mess in the kitchen, and nutrient rich.  And what a concept — a dessert that keeps those you care about healthy!  

We all know dried fruits like apricots, peaches and prunes have lots of fiber, which is especially helpful at the holidays, and also are rich in iron, which means they’re good for relieving anemia too.

Use unsulfured, untreated dried fruit that means no bright orange apricots, for instance.  And avoid dried fruit sprayed with mineral oil to prevent sticking.  Mineral oil depletes nutrients in the body.  Rest assured, habibi, none of our dried fruits are sulfured or treated.

I love leftovers for breakfast alongside a steaming bowl of hot cereal.  Or on top of yogurt or kefir.

Put dried fruit in a large pot.  Cover with water by several inches.  Thrown in cinnamon sticks.  Bring water to boil.  Turn off heat.  Cover pot.  Cool.  Refrigerate overnight.  By the next morning, the liquid in the pot will be rich-tasting and thick.  The flavors will be wonderful.  Can you get any simpler?

Serve in pretty wine glasses.  If you like, put a dollop of whipped cream or Soyatoo on top.  (Or ice cream, fake ice cream, or frozen yogurt.)  You may also garnish with fresh berries like raspberries, strawberries or blueberries.  Or banana slices.   Yummm.

It must be fall because the new apple crop is in!  Apples are winners when it comes to reducing the risk of heart disease, says a new study of more than 34,000 women. The findings, published in the March, 2007 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, noted apples are a rich source of flavonoids and fiber (richest in the skin).  Unfortunately, in conventionally-grown apples, the skin is also the part most likely to contain pesticide residues and/or be covered in petroleum-based waxes.   Which means, of course, that eating organic apples is the way to go since we want that extra nutrition and fiber found in the peel, don’t we?!?   There are myriad other reasons to eat apples so we are healthy and wise too.

6-10 Servings

Take each apple half, and using a paring knife, core, leaving a hole an inch-and-a-half in diameter.  Do not peel apples.  Why?  See above.  Note how rustic and gourmet the unpeeled fruit looks.   Traditionally, to make baked apples, one stands the apple with the stem end up and takes out the core from the top.  Halving and coring is so much easier!  If you choose to take out the core from the top, be careful not to go all the way to the bottom or your filling will run out during baking.

Arrange ten apple halves, cut side up, in ceramic shallow baking pan or round skillet.  You want each half to have its own snug place.  Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

Mince remaining two halves of apple and combine in a little bowl with crumbed macaroons, cinnamon, maple syrup and lemon.  Mix well, and mound filling in cavities.  Spoon remaining filling over fruit.  Don’t worry if it spills into pan.  Will be delicious.   Bake until apples are tender (about an hour) and then serve warm or at room temp with whipped cream, ice cream, if you like, or the new, dairy-free whipped “cream” called Soyatoo.  Nice with oatmeal for breakfast!

*What kind of apples to use?  You can use any crisp apple.  My favorites are Pink Ladies, Granny Smiths and Braeburns.