Baked apples may sound meh, but these are fabulously festive. They’re super tasty and the Cointreau-marinated figs give a grown up kick.

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 190°C.  Place the apples and figs in an oven dish, just big enough to hold the quarters together.
• In a small bowl, mix the raisins, ginger, vanilla extract, cinnamon, lemon juice and sugar. Pour the mixture on top of the apples and figs and gently mix, making sure not to break the figs.
• Ideally cover leave them to marinate at room temperature for a couple of hours, stirring occasionally, or bake straight away.
• Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until they just start to soften and golden. Remove from the oven and scatter on top the flaked almonds. Bake for another 10-15 minutes.
• To make the marinated figs, simply mix all the ingredients (except the crème fraiche) and put them into small-medium glass jar. Taste the liquid and adjust with more sugar/Cointreau/ lemon - as you require.
• The figs can be made a few days in advance - the flavours improve. 
• Serve the apples and figs warm or room temperature with creme fraiche, ice cream or parev ice cream.

@silvia_nacamulli

First published in the JC September 20 2019