Baked apple meringue 27 Sep 2009 This easy recipe is... a great way of using fallers that may have a bruise or two

This simple-to-make apple recipe adds a twist to the traditional baked apple and is a great way of using up all those extra apples that are around at the moment. Because this calls for the apples to be cut in half before baking, it gives you a chance to use fallers that may have a bruise or two that needs cutting out.

To serve 4 people you will need:

• 4 medium-sized cooking apples
• 3 egg whites
• 6oz (175g) caster sugar
• 1oz (25g) flaked almonds
• 1oz (25g) ground almonds mixed with 1oz (25g) caster sugar

Method:

• Turn the oven to 180°C / 350°F or gas mark 4.
• Prepare the apples by cutting in half horizontally and removing the core.
• Fill the hollows with the ground almond mix.
• Bake for at least 20 minutes or until the apples are almost cooked.
• While the apples are cooking, whisk the egg whites until they become stiff but not dry.
• Gradually stir in the sugar to the whisked egg whites and whisk again.
• Remove the almost-cooked apple halves from the oven and carefully spoon the meringue mix on each one.
• Sprinkle flaked almonds on the meringue and return the apples to the oven.
• Bake for a further six or seven minutes or until the meringue begins to brown slightly.

Serve hot just as they are, with lashings of double cream.