BBQ Recipes: Baked Apples

Some new recipes guys from the BBQ chain - Smokey Bones. Smokey Bones is the new, well to me anyway, barbecue chain restaurant from the same folks who have given us Red Lobster. I'm not going to get into a discussion about Smokey Bones barbeque today. Just enjoy these two great side dishes.

SMOKEY BONES BAKED APPLES

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 2 1/2 pounds golden delicious apples
• 1/2 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix both sugars and cinnamon together until thoroughly combined and set aside. Wash, peel and core apples, then cut into 1/2 -inch wedges. Toss apple wedges in sugar and cinnamon mixture and coat apples thoroughly and evenly.

Brush the bottom and sides of a medium casserole dish with 1 tablespoon of the melted butter, then place seasoned apples in dish. Drizzle remaining melted butter over the apples.

Bake apples approximately 30 minutes or until slightly soft. Serve immediately. Serves 6 to 8.

SMOKEY BONES HONEY PECAN BUTTER

• 1/2 cup pecans, halved
  
• 1 pound unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup clover honey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place pecan halves on a cooking tray and bake until toasted, approximately 5 to 8 minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool to room temperature. Chop cooled pecans. Place pecans and butter in a mixer and blend for three to five minutes using a spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl, as needed. Blend on low speed adding honey and continue until all ingredients are well mixed.

Place in serving dish or bowl and refrigerate until ready for use. Serve with warm cornbread.