Today’s EMMA recipe is inspired by the scene in which the verbose yet lovable Miss Bates rambles on and on about baked apples. After receiving a gift of Donwell Abbey apples from Mr. Knightley, she can’t seem to stop singing the praises of baked apples, which made me think they would be a perfect addition to my menu.

There was a catch, though—I didn’t want to make a sweet version. I’ve made sweet baked apples many times (including for the Little Women menu in A LITERARY HOLIDAY COOKBOOK), so this time I wanted to try something different.

When I imagined taking the recipe in a savory direction, I immediately thought of sausage. Apple and sausage pair beautifully, and adding a protein would make these apples a perfect side dish. I seasoned the sausage with onion and sage, and voilà: super easy savory baked apples!

These turned out so good I did a little dance when I tasted one. The combo of sage, onion, and sausage reminds me of Thanksgiving stuffing, which pairs so perfectly with the sweetness of the apple. I’ll definitely be making these again!

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Savory Baked Apples

“‘But about the middle of the day she gets hungry, and there is nothing she likes so well as these baked apples, and they are extremely wholesome . . . I have so often heard Mr. Woodhouse recommend a baked apple. I believe it is the only way that Mr. Woodhouse thinks the fruit thoroughly wholesome . . . “

— Emma

 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 lb ground sausage
• 1/4 cup panko crumbs
• 1/4 cup onion, diced
• 1/2 tsp snipped fresh sage
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 6-7 Pink Lady apples, depending on the size of your apples
• 6-7 small sage leaves, optional

 

Makes 6-7 baked apples

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large baking dish with tinfoil and set aside.
   
2. In a large bowl, mix together the sausage, panko crumbs, onion, sage, salt, and pepper until just combined. Set aside.
   
3. Core your apples, leaving about 1/2 inch on the buttom. Widen the hole in each apple to about 2 inches wide, hollowing out enough of the apple to fit about 1/2 cup sausage mix. Fill the apples with the sausage mix.
4. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until golden on top. If desired, top each apple with one small fresh sage leaf.
   
5. Serve to the Bates family, using Donwell Abbey’s last apples of the season.

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You can find more Jane Austen inspired recipes

in my new cookbook, A LITERARY PICNIC: EXTENDED EDITION!