Apple Custard Recipe

Autumn has officially started along with the season's favourite activity - apple picking. Not only is the fun in the picking, it is also bringing those apples back to the kitchen, then cooking and baking them up every which way possible.

Aside from being a source of fun activities, apples are very nutritious and helps a lot in keeping us healthy.

Apple Nutrition Facts

• Apples contain less than 100 calories in a medium-sized apple, which makes it a healthy snack even for people trying to lose weight. Even better news, apples are also free of fat, sodium and cholesterol.
• A medium size apple also contains 4 grams of dietary fiber, which is 17% of the daily recommended value. So eating an apple a day helps with digestion.
• Apple also contains 14% of your daily recommended value of vitamin C
• Apples also provide antioxidants and phytochemicals that help prevent a number of chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s, lung cancer, heart disease, breast cancer, diabetes, etc.
• Apples also help protect brain cells because it contains quercetin in the skin.
• Apples rank low on the Glycemic Index, which measures how rapidly carbohydrates in a food boost blood sugar.
• Apples contain boron which helps protect bones.

From sweet desserts, to savory soups and fresh salads, this recipe will help you make the most of this year's apple pick thanks to thekitchn.com.

Honey Custards with Caramelized Apples

Ingredients

For the honey custards

• 3 cups full cream milk
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Nutmeg

For the caramelized apples

• 2 medium apples
• 1 heaped tablespoon butter
• 3 tablespoons honey
• Cinnamon or nutmeg

To serve

• Whipped cream for serving, optional

Method

To make the custards

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Arrange 6 to 8 ramekins or oven-safe custard cups inside a baking dish that will hold a few inches of water
2. Place the milk into a saucepan over low to medium heat and gently bring it just barely to a boil. Once the milk is boiling, remove it immediately
3. Whisk the eggs together in a medium to large bowl. Add the honey and salt, and whisk again until the ingredients are combined. Whilst whisking, slowly pour the warm milk into the egg and honey mixture, whisk constantly. Once combined, gently stir in the vanilla
4. Slowly pour the mixture evenly into each ramekin, dust the top of each custard with just a tiny pinch of nutmeg and place the baking pan in the preheated oven. Carefully and without splashing any water into the ramekins pour hot tap water into the baking dish a few inches deep
5. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes; or until the custards are set in the centre. The custards will continue to firm up a bit when chilling
6. Remove the pan from the oven and place on a cooling rack to chill for 10 minutes or once they are cool enough to refrigerate. Cover each in plastic wrap and chill for 3 or 4 hours, or overnight

To make the caramelized apples

1. Peel, core, and chop the apples into small cubes
2. Heat the butter in a skillet and toss in the apple cubes. Cook, until the apples are tender. To prevent the apples from going brown while you cook, splash a bit of water onto the skillet every now and then
3. Once the apples are tender, drizzle in 2 tablespoons of honey.  You can add more depending on desired sweetness and taste. Scrape the apples into a bowl to cool slightly. They can be served over the chilled custards.

For more healthy recipes, go here.

Honey Custards with Caramelized Apples photo courtesy of thekitchn.com.