Changing the way you eat (and what you eat) to suit seasonal changes can be a great way to ensure you are getting all the nutrients you need to keep you feeling vibrant and healthy. The easiest way to do this is choose fresh fruit and vegetables that are in season. I would like to share with you some of the wonderful benefits of the apple. Apple's have a long season which allows many different varieties to be available for most of the year, though they are at their best in late autumn & winter when in full season.

Apple's are a delicious fruit with a high fibre content, rich in vitamins & photochemicals (antioxidants), contain no fat, salt or cholesterol, and are a low G.I food. These benefits translate into good blood sugar regulation, anti-cancer properties, anti-asthma, and supporting the different bodily systems in their function. It's no wonder they were so aptly given the adage 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away'.

I hope you enjoy this delicious and nutritious winter dessert!

Recipe

Spicy Baked Apples serves 4

Ingredients

• 60g raisins
• 25g toasted walnuts
• 3Tblspns rapadura sugar (or raw sugar)
• 1tspn cinnamon
• 4 Granny Smith apples - cored
• 75ml agave syrup
• 75ml apple concentrate
• 1/2 lemon - juiced

Method

1. Preheat Oven to 180C
2. Pulse raisins & walnuts in a food processor to a rough paste
3. Transfer to a bowl, stir in sugar & cinnamon till well mixed - add water if necessary
4. With wet hands roll logs of mixture, pack into cored apples and place into baking tray
5. Mix syrups & lemon juice well, brush over apples
6. Bake for 30mins or until tender, checking after 20mins to make sure apples are not over - caramelizing. If so, add water and continue.
7. Serve with warm vanilla anglaise or yoghurt. Enjoy!

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