Baked Apples

It can be difficult to find suitable puddings if you are trying to lose weight or if, like me, you can't eat wheat or dairy products and should avoid sugar. Baked apples are one of my favourite puddings and can be enjoyed with a variety of fillings or toppings. So it's also a good way to get your children to eat more fruit and you can add ice cream or a little chocolate sauce for those members of the family who don't have to watch their weight.

Baked Apples make a great, healthy, low calorie dessert for cold days, or a filling dessert at any time of the year, if you have been working hard, are feeling really hungry and would like something sweet after your main course.

You can eat them on their own or with low-fat frozen yogurt, or a spoonful of soya yogurt, if you can't eat dairy products.

They are also extremely easy to make and can be put in the oven while you are enjoying your first course. Baked apples can be cooked inn the microwave, but don't taste nearly as good. The microwave does seem to work fine if you start them off in the oven and after 20-30 minutes transfer to the microwave. I have no idea why that is :)

Ingredient for Baked Apples: (serves 4)

• 4 medium cooking apples
• ¼ cup chopped pecans
• ¼ cup raisins or sultanas
• You can add sugar, but
• a little orange juice will have a sweetening effect
• without the added calories
• Cinnamon for sprinkling

Instructions for Making Baked Apples:

Make sure you preheat the oven to 325F. Mix the raisins, pecans, and cinnamon. Wash and remove the core from the apples and set them in a baking dish. Fill the centre of each apple with the mixed fruit and nuts and moisten with a little orange juice or water. Bake approximately 40 minutes or until tender.

Baked apples are extremely tasty and with a mixture of fruit and nuts, they make a fairly substantial pudding, without adding a lot of calories.