Caramelized Apples with Crushed Toasted Almonds and burnt butter sauce

Sometimes, you just need some lovin'! And when the bareness of the fridge makes you frown, you turn to the fruit bowl and sigh. Fear not, salvation is at hand. This dish is so easy to make, and has ingredients that are typically floating around the home (double cream, maybe not - i was lucky!). If you like apple crumble, this is the simpleton's version for when you want crumble and you WANT IT NOW.

Ingredients (Serves 1)

• 1 large firm apple
• 1 small lemon
• 1 small pinch cornflour
• 12 tbsp white sugar
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 small pinch cinnamon
• 1/4 cup almonds

Method

Zest and squeeze the juice from the lemon into a bowl. 
Toast the almonds under a grill for 5 minutes or until fragrant.
Crush into coarse pieces in a mortar and pestle.

Peel and core the apple, and cut into 8 wedges.

Melt the butter over medium heat in a small saucepan.
Add the apples, and 1/4 the sugar, and sautee for 6 minutes or until soft.

Add the remaining sugar, cinnamon and sautee for 2 further minutes or until sugar begins to caramelise.
Remove the apple pieces and set aside.
Add the lemon juice and cornflour and cook the sauce until dark and thick.

Arrange the apple pieces in a fan.

Drizzle over sauce and scatter almonds over the top.
Serve with a dollop of cream.