Le Cordon Bleu-trained Chef Jesse Brune is a Los Angeles-based lifestyle transformation coach and foodie who has appeared on Bravo's Workout, Food Network's Private Chefs of Beverly Hills, and most recently offered his expertise on Home Made Simple on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Here, Chef Jesse will provide easy, celeb-inspired dishes that anyone can prepare at home.
When Brune asked pal Holly Madison her favorite ingredients so he could craft a dish with her in mind, the former Playboy bunny came up with some interesting recipe musts: apples, butter, cinnamon, and pink peppermint ice cream.
"I didn't have any pink peppermint ice-cream on hand, but I did manage to create a super yummy apple dessert that Holly can enjoy without fretting too much about adding any inches to her waist-line," Brune tells Us Weekly of his stuffed apple dessert.
STUFFED APPLE DESSERT (Serves 2)
INGREDIENTS
2 granny smith apples, peeled
1/4 cup, lemon juice
2 cups, water
1 1/2 TBSP, organic butter
1 TBSP, apple pie seasoning (mix: cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves)
1/2 cup, pecans, chopped small
1 1/2 TBSP, raw honey (regular honey is fine)
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, mix the lemon juice and water. Set aside.
Slice the top 2/4 of the apples off and place the tops in the lemon-water.
Using a melon-baller or small spoon, hollow out the bottom half of the apple, creating an "apple-cup" without puncturing the base.
When hollowed, place the apples in the lemon water and allow them to sit for about 5 minutes.
Place a small skillet over high heat on the stovetop. Melt HALF the butter in the pan.
Remove all of the apple pieces from the water and drip dry.
Place the top of the apples, bottom-side down in the skillet and sear for about 1 minute. Then remove from heat.
Place the bottom portion of the apples (the "cups") face down in the skillet and sear for about 1 minute. Then remove from heat.
Place the apples on a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
Set the heat on the stove to medium.
While apples are in the oven, melt the remainder of the butter in the skillet.
Mix the honey with the butter in the skillet and slowly mix in the pecans.
Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and set aside.
When apples are soft, remove from the oven and place on a cutting board or clean work surface.
Fill the apple cup with the sweetened pecans, until the pecans are overflowing. Place the top piece of the apple on top of the mound of pecans and carefully place apple on a plate and serve.
TIP: Mix 1/2 coconut milk with 2 tsp. of honey, 1 tsp. of cinnamon, and 2 ice cubes in a blender. Serve the infused milk in a shot glass along side the apple cup. Pour the milk over the pecans before eating for a delicious creamy addition to your dessert!
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