Savory Baked Apples

Savory Baked Apples

4 sweet, crisp apples, such as Gala

3 - 4 slices bacon

1 large onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, sliced

Leftover bread, cubed, about 4 cups

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Apple cider

In a large saute pan, cook bacon until crisp then remove to paper towel to drain. Cook the onion and celery in the bacon drippings, until tender. Add bread cubes, ginger, and cayenne, stirring to coat well. Add enough apple cider to make a moist stuffing, about 1/2 cup, more or less.

Slice off the stem end of the apples and reserve. Scoop out the apple pulp to make a bowl. Dice the slices of apples removed from the top and add to the stuffing in the pan, along with all the pulp, except the core, removed from the apple. Crumble the bacon and add that also.

Spoon the stuffing into the apple bowls, piling it up. Place the stuffed apples into a baking dish. Pour about 1/2 inch of apple cider into the dish, cover tightly with foil, and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.