Beautiful November
We’re deep into November already and there’s a definite chill in the air and leaves are starting to turn brown or fall to the ground leaving some tree branches completely bare. We generally don’t like November that much thinking there’s really nothing special about it besides Thanksgiving holiday. It’s that time when we feel not much is happening and we might as well just hibernate for a bit before the big show of Christmas lights pops everywhere and we start running around trying to satisfy everyone on our holiday list.
I think we miss all the beauty of November when we don’t yield to its designated tasks. This late Fall time is when the weather is gearing up to change the seasons and the year is trying to round up its run so why not follow the same footsteps and prepare for long winter nights and examine what this year has brought into your life. November is the time of silence, deep contemplation, nurturing your soul with quiet activities, making comforting foods and enjoying them with just your immediate loved ones leaving all the big outings for December parties.
We need more silence and alone times in life as only in solitude you can get in touch with your soul, appreciate all the joys and seek healing and release of the past. And November is a perfect time for all that. Surround yourself with quiet moments, beautiful music or books, hot drinks and warming spices and give thanks for all what’s present in your life.
Do you know why else November is special? It’s my birthday month. Aren’t you glad I was born?! 😊 So, as I’m getting ready to celebrate my birthday next week, you concentrate on all the other things November is famous for. And don’t forget to celebrate my earthly presence too of course!
What’s Cooking This Week
Thanksgiving is less that two weeks away and I bet you’re already planning your meals and sending out the invitations. I’m sure you have all your holiday staples you always serve at the table but I’m encouraging you to try something new today. This recipe can be used as a nice side dish or an appetizer. It combines all the favorite autumn foods in a cute individual serving setting and it can satisfy a variety of dietary needs and preferences. A combination of fruits and vegetables with a splash of red wine, honey and warming spices brings this dish together as a great alternative to traditional Thanksgiving side dishes of stuffing or casseroles. But the most important thing, it just tastes delicious!
Baked Apples Stuffed with Caramelized Brussels and Cherries.
This recipe is quite simple yet delicious and uses most of the ingredients that you already have at home. You can substitute regular butter for a dairy-free alternative or even skip it at all to make it completely vegan.
You can also use dried cranberries instead of cherries and a variety of different spices you already have at home.
Core apples. Melt 1 Tbsp of butter and mix in a tsp of honey, a pinch of ginger, cardamom and nutmeg. Brush apples inside and out with melted butter mix.
Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees and bake apples for about 10 minutes, then take them out of the oven and lower the temperature to 375 degrees.
Heat a skillet with some olive oil and stir fry the onions till translucent golden about 1-2 minutes, add shredded brussels and cook for another 2-3 minutes, then add cherries.
Stir in spices, maple syrup and red wine and continue cooking for another few minutes until everything is caramelized but not overcooked. Stuff each apple with this mixture and put them back in the oven.
Bake apples for another 20-25 minutes or until they are soft but not overdone and can hold their shape. Garnish with chopped nuts or seeds.
You may serve them in individual dishes or on a large tray. I think they look especially cute on these heart-shaped dishes.
So, here you have it a nice little appetizer or individually served side dish that’s full of autumn flavors and Fall colors.
Baked Apples Stuffed with Caramelized Brussels and Cherries
Ingredients
- 7-8 medium size apples cored
- 2 cups of brussel sprouts shredded
- 1 medium size red onion chopped
- 1/2 cup of dried cherries
- 1 Tbsp of butter melted, or dairy-free alternative
- 3 Tbsps of red wine
- 2 Tbsps of maple syrup
- 1 tsp of honey
- 2 tsp of seasoning salt
- 2 tsps of ginger powder
- 1 tsp cardamom
- 1/2 tsp of nutmeg
- olive oil for frying
- a pinch of chili flakes
- chopped nuts seeds to garnish
Instructions
- Core apples and brush them inside and out with melted butter mixed with honey and a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom and nutmeg.
- Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees and bake apples for 10 minutes.
- Set apples aside and lower the temperature to 375 degrees.
- Heat the skillet with olive oil and stir fry onions for 1-2 minutes, add brussels and stir fry for another 1-2 minutes.
- Then add cherries, spices, red wine and maple syrup, cook for 4-5 minutes until the mix is caramelized but not overcooked.
- Stuff apples with brussels mix and bake for another 20-25 minutes or until apples are soft yet can still hold their shape.
- Garnish with nuts or seeds and serve while warm.