Caramel Apple Recipe: Special Equipment: Candy Thermometer, and Lollipop Sticks
Caramel Apple Recipe: Special Equipment: Candy Thermometer, and Lollipop Sticks
Caramel Apple Recipe: Special Equipment: Candy Thermometer, and Lollipop Sticks
6 - 8 small apples, unwaxed, cold 1 cup heavy cream 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1 cup honey Special equipment: candy thermometer, and lollipop sticks Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Push a lollipop or popsicle stick deep into each apple - in through the stem. Fill a large bowl 1/2 full with ice water and set aside. In a medium, thick-bottomed saucepan heat the cream and salt until tiny bubbles start forming where the milk touches the pan - just before a simmer. Stir in the honey. Bring the mixture to a boil. Now reduce the heat to an active simmer and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for about 15-20 minutes minutes or until the mixture reaches about 255-260F degrees. To stop the caramel from cooking, very, very carefully set the bottom of the saucepan in the bowl of cold water you prepared earlier - taking special care not to get any of the water in the caramel mixture. Stir until caramel begins to thicken up - you want the caramel to be thin enough that it will easily coat your apples, but not so thin that it will run right off. If the caramel thickens too much simply put the pot back over the burner for 10 seconds or so to heat it up a bit. I tilt my sauce pan so all the caramel forms a pool on one side, and use my other hand to dunk and twirl each apple until it is thoroughly coated with caramel. Place each apple on the parchment lined baking sheets and allow the caramel to cool and set. Makes 6 - 8 caramel apples
Divide the cream mixture between each dish, covering the fruit in each dish. Place in the oven (middle rack) and bake for 3 minutes. You then want to brown the tops of the desserts - either turn on your broiler and broil until evenly browned, or in a pinch use a handheld culinary blowtorch. Warn people they are hot, but serve immediately. Makes 6 individual servings, or a dozen or so mini servings.
Make the filling by whisking together the cornstarch and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the strawberries and rhubarb, and toss until evenly coated. Wait three minutes, add the port and toss again. Transfer the filling to the prepared pan, remove the topping from the freezer, and crumble across the top of the filling - make sure you have big pieces and small. Bake for 35 - 40 minutes, or until the topping is deeply golden and the fruit juices are vigorously bubbling. You'll want to let things cool a bit before serving, 20 - 30 minutes. Serves a small crowd, 8 - 12 servings. Prep time: 20 min - Cook time: 40 min
When the bread cubes are done toasting (and have had a few minutes to cool and crisp up), toss them in a big bowl with the mashed berries. Add the remaining chopped strawberries and toss a bit more. Give the yogurt a good stir, and serve on the side garnished with poppy seeds (feel free to sweeten it a bit to your liking). Serves 6 or so.