Star anise adds an exotic sweetness to the dish, which also works as a healthy dessert. You can use any kind of apple for this recipe and adjust the amount of cranberries to balance the apples’ sweetness, since there’s no other sugar added. We tried Lobo, Cortland, and McIntosh, and they all worked well.
Breakfast Cinnamon-Baked Apples with Star Anise, Cranberries, and Sunflower Seeds
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp (45 mL) sunflower seeds
- 6 medium apples
- 3 Tbsp (45 mL) dried cranberries, chopped
- 1 tsp (5 mL) ground cinnamon
- 3 petals star anise
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) water
Nutrition
Per serving:
- calories129
- protein1g
- fat3g
- saturated fat0g
- trans fat0g
- carbohydrates28g
- sugars21g
- fibre5g
- sodium2mg
Directions
01
In cast iron skillet large enough to hold apples in single layer, toast sunflower seeds until golden (about 3 to 5 minutes). Remove toasted seeds to mug or bowl.
02
Core apples and place in cast iron skillet or camping pot, cutting off a side or two of some, if necessary, to make them fit in a single layer. Sprinkle cranberries, cinnamon, and toasted sunflower seeds into and around hollowed-out apples. Stuff star anise petals between apples and pour 1/4 cup (60 mL) water overtop.
03
Cover and place skillet on grill grate for 10 minutes, until apples have released a lot of their juices, then remove cover and cook for 5 to 10 minutes longer, until juices have reduced and thickened slightly.
04
Let cool for 5 minutes, sprinkle with more cinnamon, and serve.
Amie Watson is a Montreal-based freelance writer, television contributor, and founder of the Fork That app. Her work has appeared in the Montreal Gazette, enRoute magazine, and The Globe and Mail.
