Chunky Drunk Apple Bites

I woke up this morning thinking about applesauce...and my random thoughts segued over to pie...and then over to phyllo and puff pastry.  That's just how my brain works in the morning as I'm sipping my first cup of coffee in the peaceful quiet; kind of a drifting bit of fluff landing and moving on, wherever the breeze takes it.

So, here's my morning fog recipe - it turned out really good!

CHUNKY DRUNK APPLE BITES

Phyllo Cups:

Defrost one packet of frozen phyllo dough in the refrigerator. (I used Athens brand)
Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a small bowl in the microwave.
Prepare a small bowl of cinnamon sugar (white sugar and ground cinnamon)
Lay out one piece of phyllo on your board or counter.  Keep the rest covered with a damp kitchen towel.
Working from the edges inward, brush butter all over the piece of phyllo.
Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon and sugar blend.
Cut into 15 pieces (3x5)
Stack 3 pieces on top of each other catty wumpuss (that's a technical term :-).
Gently place the little packet into a lightly sprayed non-stick mini muffin tin.
Press down gently with your fingertips or a dowel shaped tool (I used the back end of my citrus reamer) - tuck under any pieces that flop over.
Continue until you have filled all of the muffin tin (or as many as you want).
Place in preheated  350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 6-10 minutes (until lightly browned).
Remove and allow to cool on rack - remove very carefully from pan (these crack easily!)

Chunky Drunk Apples

3 apples (I used 2 Empire and 1 Granny Smith)
1/4 cup turbinado sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon corn starch
1/2 cup Moscato or other sweet white wine (I used flipflop Moscato)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Peel and core apples, cutting all but one half of one apple into bite sized chunks.
Take the remaining piece of apple and small dice.
Toss apple pieces with corn starch and place all of the apple pieces, sugar, and salt into a non-stick saucepan and allow to cook over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes. (if it gets too dry, go on the low end of time)
Add the wine, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.  Reduce heat to medium and allow to cook for another 5-7 minutes.  Mixture should be thickened and not runny at all.
Remove from heat and add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste.  Stir well.
Allow to cool - should be syrupy thick.

Spoon into prepared phyllo cups.  Serve immediately.

I must say, this is possibly the best damn apple filling I've ever eaten!  I barely had enough to fill the phyllo cups I made because I started in on it with a spoon...there is a special taste the wine gives the mixture - but it doesn't taste boozy or strong.  I don't know that anyone would have been able to identify what the "special flavor" was!  I think that is largely due to the flipflop Moscato - when a good tasting wine reduces - you taste the true essence...and this wine has a lovely LOVELY essence.

If you can get your hands on a bottle - grab it - it is not only good for sipping, it is a wonderful addition to sweet recipes!  My husband notifies me whenever he sees it in a store....it's a flipflop alert.  It isn't sold in my area so we have to get it from other locations.  At $7 a bottle, I keep it stocked these days!

I didn't make these little Chunky Drunk Apple Bites for any particular reason - but I know when I have my next coffee get-together, these will be served.  They are fairly easy (you can even buy the Athens pre-made mini shells from your freezer section if you want to make it really easy) and I know the first crunchy bite will bring an eye-rolling yummmmm from my friends.  It's the perfect size to just eat 1 or 2 (...or 6).  You should definitely consider testing this for your upcoming holiday gatherings...it would be a welcome addition to anyone wanting some pass-around treats or for a dessert buffet. 

Bon Appetit, Y'all!!!

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