Zappin’ the Apple

Traditional methods for baking apples take almost an hour, but how about zapping an a apple for a simple dessert or a sweet start to your day with breakfast? A micro-waved apple takes only minutes -- a great impromptu treat during apple season. You can even make an individual serving of fresh warm applesauce - no peeling and no pureeing - right inside the apple. Not all apple varieties are good for baking. Macs are great for munching but have a high water content and practically disappear in the cooking process. Choose a pie-baking apple like Cortland or Granny Smith, which stand up well in the microwave. Zap your apples in individual cups and they will hold their shape. Choose one that will rest nicely in a ramekin or small pyrex glass bowl (about 3 inches in diameter). Top with a spoonful of milk or cream for a lovely old fashioned flavor. The crumb topping is optional.

Zapped Apple

Instructions are for making one apple at a time in the microwave. Increasing the number of apples, increases the cooking time.

Ingredients

4 medium to small baking apples - it is ideal if the apple fits snugly into the dish and sits just above the bottom of the bowl.
4 teaspoons maple syrup
fresh lemon juice

Crumb topping:

1/3 cup rolled old fashion oats
¼ cup flour
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon white sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
(sprinkle of nutmeg)

1. Combine oats, flour, sugars and spices.
2. Cut butter into pieces and add to mixture.
3. With the tips of your fingers work the butter into the oat mixture until it combines into small pebbles.
4. Cut the top inch off the apple. Core the apple.
5. Remove some of the flesh of the apple to form small cavity for the filling.
6. Drizzle in one teaspoon of maple syrup and a spritz of lemon juice.
7. Fill the cavity of the apple with a few spoonfuls of the topping and slightly mound the top of the apple with additional filling. Press down lightly.
8. With a sharp knife, make a few slits into the sides of the apple (to release the steam).
9. Take a small glass Pyrex dish (approx. 3 inches in diameter) or ceramic ramekin and add 1 tablespoon water into the bottom.
10. Set the apple into the bowl so it rests above the rim and is not touching the bottom.
11. Place in the microwave and heat for two minutes. Check the apple to see if it is soft enough to scoop out with a spoon. If it needs a little more time, heat for an additional 30 seconds. If you like an applesauce consistency heat for another 20 seconds. These times depend on your microwave.
12. Remove carefully from microwave as dish and apple are very hot. Spoon a little cream or ice cream over the top if desired.