APPLES GO WELL with almost any food, and sweet cherries are no exception. August is the ideal time of year to combine fresh cherries and early season apples like Ginger Gold in this unusual egg dish, Apple Cherry Bake.
Only a handful of cherries are needed to provide the apples with rich color and a touch of sweetness, and the recipe, adapted from Whole Smiths, uses honey instead of sugar. Vanilla lovers can add a teaspoon if desired. With or without it, the tangy apple flavor is sublime.
It’s a dish best served warm, and it’s even better reheated the next day.
4 Ginger Gold or other New England apples, unpeeled, cored, thinly sliced
1 T butter
4 T honey
6-8 fresh cherries, pitted and sliced
8 eggs
1 t cinnamon
(optional) 1 t vanilla
Preheat oven to 375°
Lightly butter a three-quart baking dish.
In a large skillet on medium heat, melt butter, and cook apples with 1 T honey until apples are soft, stirring occasionally. Place in baking dish and top with cherries.
In a large bowl whisk together eggs, 3 T honey, cinnamon, and vanilla (optional).
Pour egg mixture over top.
Bake in oven for 30-35 minutes.
Let rest for about 15 minutes prior to serving to let eggs set.