Baked Apples with Candied Pecans

Staring at a blank screen... NEVER fun.

I am having blogger's block. In fact, I just started a blog post about painting my fingernails.  Yes, that is the epitome of desperation.

This block is partly due to me being on top of things for once... No stress, no exasperation. Good for my mental state, bad for blogging.  So, I am going to weave an elaborate story about a dramatic and stressful turn of events for you all to enjoy.  (Note: this may or may not be a fictional story -- I'll let you be the judge).

Yesterday after making (and burning, shhhh... don't tell anyone) my granola for SSEN, I decided to go for a run.  I have no idea why I chose to run at this particular moment, but fate would prove to be on my side...  I went downstairs, exited my dorm, and there next to my car was a TOW TRUCK.

I quickly walked over to the tow truck driver and begged him to please let me go get my keys and move my (illegally parked) car.  He stared back at me with his beady eyes and said, "Ma'am, you do understand that this is the 5th parking ticket you have received in the last week in THIS very spot, right?"

But... but...

Touche.

He was right, and I had no desire to argue with him any further because he stunk.  As much as I love onions, I don't want to smell them on a sweaty, hairy man who is going to tow my car.  I turned around in resignation, not wanting to see my car put on the back of a tow truck.

He must have felt sorry for me, though.  He called me over, told me that he didn't want to tow me, and let me go grab my keys to move my car to a legal spot...

And then, I went back upstairs to my suite and made these gorgeous baked apples to relieve the stress from nearly having my car towed... They are warm, sweet, and juicy -- exactly what I needed.

So much for that run...

Baked Apples with Candied Walnuts
makes 4 servings, from Gourmet Today cookbook

2 Gala apples, halved and cored
4 1/2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup toasted pecans (or if you're like me, you forget to toast them...)
1/2 cup honey Greek yogurt
cinnamon for sprinkling

1. Preheat oven to 450.  Oil a baking sheet.

2. Melt butter in a 10 inch ovenproof skillet (I used my cast iron skillet).  Sprinkle in 1/2 tsp sugar.

3. Arrange apples, cut side down, in skillet and cook undisturbed on medium heat for 3 - 5 minutes.  Put in the oven for ~15 minutes or until apples are tender.

4. Meanwhile, in a heavy duty, 7 inch skillet add remaining sugar and salt over medium heat.  Stir with a fork until melted.  Then, swirl occasionally.  When sugar has caramelized, remove from heat and stir in pecans. Pour onto baking sheet and cool for 10 minutes.

5. Remove apples from oven, top with yogurt and candied pecans.  Sprinkle with sugar.

6. Enjoy the utter goodness!