To complete the meal at the South Arm Community Kitchen, Minoo shared an apple pudding recipe as a dessert.

For those of you who are health conscious, you would like to pay attention to this. This is because of the use of maple syrup. Two days ago I read an article that had identified our maple syrup as a superfood (see article here). Superfood is describe as food with high phytonutrient content that may provide health benefits.

This Apple Pudding is sweetened with maple syrup. We love the addition of cinnamon which goes very well with the apples and raisins. Cinnamon is high in antioxidant and the essential oil of cinnamon also has antimicrobial properties which can help in the preservation of certain food. I love the aroma in the kitchen when baking with cinnamon.

Ingredients

• 4 to 5 large ripe apples
• 1/2 cup (125ml) maple syrup, divided
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 tablespoons (45ml) melted butter
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/4 cup (50ml) milk
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• ground cinnamon

Source: this recipe is adapted from A Taste of Quebec (Macmillan)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375F (190C). Peel, core and slice apples into 1/2-inch (1 cm) pieces. In order to prevent the cut apples from browning, you can place them in water with a few drops of lemon juice or a pinch of salt.

Toast some walnuts in the oven until fragrant.

Grease an 8-inch (2L) square glass baking dish. Place slice apples in the greased baking dish. Drizzle the apples with 1/4 cup of the maple syrup. Sprinkle the apples with cinnamon powder.

Top with raisins and walnuts.

In a small bowl, using a wooden spoon or electric hand mixer, beat eggs with butter, lemon juice, 1/4 cup maple syrup and milk.

In another bowl, stir flour with baking powder, salt and cinnamon powder.

Stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture until smooth.

Spoon batter evenly over the apples. Bake in the centre of a 375F preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until apples are cooked through. The Maple Apple Pudding is great served warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice-cream.