This dish is a result of some stolen apples. My neighbours apple tree grows over into our garden and little apples plod onto the grass in the back garden regularly. When I was home last weekend I decided to use a few fallen apples to make sure they didn’t go to waste. I wanted to make a nice warming breakfast that was still nice and healthy so I decided to stew some apples with nice warming spices and serve it with delicious Greek yoghurt and toasted almonds. Not exactly re-inventing the wheel, but I think the simplest of foods made well can often be the nicest.

This is really really easy to do and doesn’t take long to make. This makes about 4 servings of spiced stewed apple, but you could make more and it will keep well in the fridge for a few days, or you could freeze it. This is a lovely healthy way to start your day this Autumn.

Ingredients (serves 4):

500g cooking apples (or other tart, sharp apples)

1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)

1/2 – 1 cup water

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground clove (I ground 5-6 whole cloves in a pestle and mortar)

1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

500g greek yoghurt (Glenisk full-fat greek yoghurt is definitely the best)

4 tbsp flaked almonds

1. Peel and chop the apples into little pieces and pop into a heavy bottomed pot on a medium high heat.
2. Add brown sugar and spices, stir well to combine and put the lid on the pot. The steam will help the apples cook faster, but stir every few minutes to make sure it doesn’t stick to the base. It should only take about 15 minutes for this to stew down.
3. Add the water (more or less depending on how dry or loose your stewed apple is) and stir well for another 5 minutes.
4. Let cool slightly. Meanwhile toast the flaked almonds on a dry pan on a high heat, stirring constantly for a few minutes until just turning golden. Be careful as they burn very quickly. When done remove from hot pan.
5. Serve apple in layers with greek yoghurt in bowls or tall glasses and sprinkle with toasted almonds.