Dear Church Family and Friends,
When I was a child, we went to Granny’s for Thanksgiving. At that time, I was a finicky eater. I had not yet discovered that the turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing taste better when they are all mixed together to form what I now call Monster Mash. So it was that I had very little appetite for the meal, except for Granny’s Red Hot Baked Apples. For those who come from neglected childhoods, Red Hot Baked Apples are apples that have had their core removed and cinnamon red hots inserted inside before being baked in an oven.
Reflecting back on this Thanksgiving treat, I realize how self-referential my view was at the time. When it came to Thanksgiving, I was mainly concerned with what made my taste buds either happy or unhappy. Granny’s Red Hot Baked Apples made them happy. What I did not also realize nor appreciate was what Thanksgiving must have meant for Granny. All of us lived hours away. She saw us only a few times a year, and when she did see us, she usually spent hours preparing for us a grand feast such as Thanksgiving dinner. As an adult, I now realize that what was really important about our Thanksgiving dinner was not the happiness of my taste buds but the love that Granny shared with us through her cooking and through her hospitality.
My wish for each of you this Thanksgiving is not that you have a great meal, but that you experience God’s love through the love of family and friends.
Your brother in Christ,
Pastor Brooks
PS: I was not able to find the original recipe for Granny’s Red Hot Baked Apples, but after consulting with my family, I believe this is a close approximation:
INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
* 6 apples
* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/3 cup cinnamon red hot candies
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 3 teaspoons butter
* 1/4 cup raisins, optional
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8×8 inch square pan.
2. Remove and reserve tops of apples. Core the apples, leaving approximately 1/2 inch at the bottom. Arrange in the baking dish.
3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon red hot candies, cinnamon and raisins. Fill each apple with the mixture. Place 1/2 teaspoon of butter on top of the brown sugar mixture of each apple. Replace apple tops. Sprinkle remaining mixture over the apples.
4. Place apples in greased pan. Cover with foil. Place in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 10 to 15 minutes longer, or until apples are tender.