Baked Apples And Chestnut Puree

Ingredients

1 lb chestnuts
4 oz chestnuts
3/8 c soy milk
3/8 c apple juice
5 tb maple syrup
1 ts cinnamon
1/4 ts nutmeg
3/8 c raisins
6 sweet apples
1 tb few lemon juice additional cinnamon
3/4 c wine
3 tb margarine
1 cinnamon stick

Instructions

Mint leaves & thin orange -slices for garnish Preheat oven to 350F. To prepare fresh chestnuts, cook covered, in water, for 20 minutes till expanded & lighter in colour. To prepare canned chestnuts, cook in their liquid till heated through. To prepare dried chestnuts, cook according to package directions. Drain & rinse hot chestnuts under cold water. Cut off flat part with a sharp knife & scoop nut meat with a spoon. In a food processor, combine chestnut meat with soy milk, juice, 4 tb maple syrup, 1 ts cinnamon & nutmeg. Fold in raisins or currants. Peel apples & remove core from top, leaving the bottom intact. Hollow out the apple leaving a 1/2" shell. Brush shell with lemon juice to prevent discoloration. Sprinkle inside with a little cinnamon. Chop scooped out apple & mix with the chestnut puree. Fill apple shells with chestnut-apple stuffing. Place in a grease proof dish & pour wine & remaining syrup around the base of the apples. Add margarine & cinnamon stick to the pan. Bake 30 to 40 minutes, basting occasionally with the wine mixture. Garnish & serve.