Stewed Spicebush Apples
3 Serving
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Adapted from lean6life.com
Simple, nourishing, warm and comforting, stewed apples are a cold season classic. Here, they’re made extra special with ground Spicebush twigs.
Spicebush is a highly resilient deciduous shrub native to eastern North America who’s berries and twigs are both edible and offer anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and digestive supporting benefits. Often used as a tea, the twigs can also be ground down to use as a seasoning spice. Its flavor profile is often described as ‘warm’ with notes of cinnamon, clove, citrus and a subtle peppery undertone.
Ingredients
3 medium to large apple, peeled
3 Tbs unsalted butter
3 tsp ground spicebush (with or without the seeds)
3 Tbs maple syrup
Sprinkle of sea salt, or to taste
Instructions
Cut the apples however you like – thin slices, wedges, large chunks or small. The cooking time will vary depending on how large the pieces are, but the process is the same.
Melt the butter in a small pan over medium-low heat. Add the apple, spicebush and maple syrup, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apple is soft. Remove from heat, sprinkle with sea salt, and serve.
This recipe easily scales up as needed. (Or to accommodate however many apples you have!) Serve alone, as a topping for pancakes or waffles, as a compote for grilled pork chops or a filling for roasted acorn squash.
