Baked Apple with Banana, Granola and Vanilla Stuffing
An English classic. Stuff this with whatever you want, I always change the filling depending on my mood, what is in season or readily available. Instead of banana and granola try peach and papaya or even a bread and butter pudding mix.

Serves 4

Ingredients
4 large baking apples
2 large bananas
8 Tblsp granola (or oatmeal/ museli cereal)
1 Tsp vanilla essence
2 Tblsp brown sugar
60g flaked almonds
Ice cream and mint tips to serve

Mise-en-Place
Preheat oven to gas mk 3/ 170C / 325F

Method:
Core the apples. Remove a generous amount to allow more filling
Lightly cut the skin across its widest circumference
Make the filling: Mash the bananas, vanilla and 1 tblsp sugar together
Stuff the apples with the filling.
Dust each apple with 1/4 tblsp brown sugar
Place on baking tray and bake for 20 minutes
Open oven door, sprinkle flaked almonds across apples
Bake for another 10 minutes
To test if apples are done insert a skewer, if it passes easily through the flesh, the apples are done.

Presentation:
Place apple on plate
Sprinkle any almonds left on the tray over apple
Place scoop of ice cream next to apple
Insert a sprig of mint into the ice cream
Serve

Chef Tip:
To score the apple skin evenly hold the knife steady and rotate the apple, not the knife. This should result in an even cut.
If it doesn't you've got shaky hands and shouldn't consume large quantities of alcohol in the kitchen.

The apple is cut before cooking as it will split during baking, by cutting the skin yourself you control where the split occurs.

I like to garnish with mint as it refreshes the taste buds. Try a bite of the mint half-way through consuming the desert, the next mouthful of apple and filling should taste as exciting as the first.