Mama's Spiced Apples!

This recipe can be served as a light dessert or as a side to meat dishes.  They are really good with pork such as,  ham or pork loin.  Even though they look elegant, these apples are really easy to prepare.  Your guests will be wowed by the presentation!

 Here is what you need:

6 large, firm apples
2 cups water
2 cups sugar
6 thin lemon slices
1 Tbs. grated orange zest
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
3 whole cloves
2 tsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
red food coloring
12 maraschino cherries

Peel and halve apples.  Remove the stem ends.  Carefully remove the core using a melon ball scoop.  The halves need to be left intact in one piece. 

Combine sugar and water in  a large skillet.  Bring to a boil.  Add the lemon slices, cloves,  orange zest,  and cinnamon.  Add the apples.   Simmer over medium heat until the apples are tender but still firm, about 15 minutes.  Turn the apples over once during cooking.

Remove apples and lemon slices to a serving dish.

Bring the syrup in the skillet to a rolling boil.  Boil until it forms a thin syrup (4-5 minutes).  Stir the cornstarch into the 1/4 cup cold water.  Stir into the syrup mixture and cook for about 2-3  minutes or until thickened.   Add  a few drops of red food coloring.

 Allow to cool just slightly and pour over the apples.   Garnish each apple half with a maraschino cherry in the middle.

This is a perfect side dish with the Kentucky Bourbon Brown Sugar Ham or Bacon Wrapped Maple Glazed Pork Loin or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream as an elegant dessert!