What to do with all the apples? TOP recipe: Baked apples

Apples are one of the most popular fruits in our country because they are affordable, tasty and versatile in the kitchen. We also have some great home-grown varieties that are easy to incorporate into your everyday recipes. In this article, we will answer the questions of which types of apples we know, what their properties are and how to make the most of them in cooking and baking.

What types of apples do we know?

The most common varieties in our country are gala apples, topaz apples and elstar apples, each with its own benefits that can be used in different dishes.

1. Topaz apples

• Topaz apples are one of the most popular varieties of domestic origin. They have a firm texture and a slightly sour taste, which balances nicely with the sweet ingredients during baking.

• Topaz apples are perfect for baked apples in the oven or apples in puff pastry. Their firmness and acidity also make them ideal for cooking compotes and making apple strudels.

  
  

Gala apples

• Gala apples are known for their sweetness and juiciness. Their crisp texture makes them perfect for eating fresh, but they can also be used in many desserts.

• Their sweet taste means they can be used in recipes where you don''t want to add too much sugar. Gala apples are ideal for desserts such as baked apples with walnuts or fried apples.

  
  

3. Elstar apples

• Elstar apples are slightly more acidic and crisp than Gala apples, but they have an exceptional flavour that comes out particularly in baking.

• Elstar apples are an excellent choice for baking and for preparing classic desserts such as apple pies, apple strudels and crumbles. They also work well in combination with walnuts and autumn spices.

  
  

Culinary uses of apples

Apples are extremely versatile, as they can be used in salads, compotes, desserts or even main dishes. Here are some ideas on how to incorporate them into your cooking:

1. Baked apples in the oven

Oven-baked apples are a simple yet delicious dessert. The apples can be filled with walnuts, raisins and honey and baked until golden brown. You can use either topaz apples or gala apples, as both varieties will provide the perfect texture and flavour.

2. Fried apples

If you are a fan of quick desserts, fried apples are the way to go. Simply cut them into rounds, roll them in batter and fry until golden brown. They can be served sprinkled with powdered sugar or a hint of cinnamon.

3. Apples in puff pastry

Puff pastry apples are the ideal choice when you want to quickly prepare something sweet but impressive. Simply wrap them in puff pastry, add a little cinnamon and sugar and bake. These delicious apple strudels can be served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or melted BAM chocolate.

Simple recipe for baked apples with walnuts

Here''s a recipe that can be made in just a few minutes - baked apples with walnuts. You can also add BAM chocolate spreads to add an even sweeter touch to your baked apples.

Ingredients:

• 4 apples

• 50 g brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon BAM Strudel & Pita Spice Mix

• 50 g chopped walnuts

• 50 g butter

• Raisins

• Honey

Method:

1. Wash the apples and hollow out the core, being careful not to pierce the bottom.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, BAM Strudel & Pie Spice, walnuts and raisins. Then stuff the apples with this mixture. Add a small knob of butter to each apple.

3. Place the apples in a baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 25-30 minutes, until soft and golden brown.

4. Pour honey or maple syrup over the baked apples and add BAM sweet spreads if desired. They can also be served with a scoop of BAM ice cream.

   
   

We are fortunate to have a choice of excellent local apple varieties such as gala apples, elstar apples and topaz apples. They can be used to create many delicious dishes, from simple baked apples to more sophisticated desserts such as apples in puff pastry or fried apples. No matter how they are used, apples will always be a central part of our autumn and winter culinary delights.