Savoury Baked Apples Recipe

In skillet over medium heat, fry bacon until crisp; drain and chop.

Pour off all but 1 tbsp/15 mL of the fat from skillet; increase heat to medium-high and fry onion until golden. Scrape into bowl; stir in bacon and pepper.

From stem end, core each apple, making 1-inch/2.5 cm diameter cavity in centre and leaving bottom intact. Peel top 1 inch/2.5 cm of each apple; stud each peeled top with 2 or 3 cloves. Place 1 sage leaf in each cavity, then stuff with onion mixture; place apples upright in baking dish that accommodates them snugly.

Stir together cider, vinegar, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt; pour over and around apples. Cover with foil and bake in 375F/190C oven for 45 minutes; uncover, baste with pan juices and continue baking, uncovered and basting often, until sauce is syrupy and apples are tender, 15 to 45 minutes, depending on variety and ripeness.

Transfer to serving platter; spoon sauce over top. If apples are tender, but sauce is too thin, transfer sauce to saucepan over high heat and reduce to desired thickness.

Makes 6 servings.