Ingredients

6 medium apples such as Gala, Empire, or Granny Smith
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
6 Tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
4 Tablespoons granulated sugar
zest of one lemon
zest of one orange
2 teaspoons ground anise seed
½ teaspoons ground cloves
2 Tablespoons fresh ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 vanilla bean pods split
2 Tablespoon finely chopped pistachios
2 Tablespoon finely chopped almonds
2 Tablespoon finely chopped walnuts
3 Tablespoons currants

Directions

1.In a sauté pan melt the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar over a medium flame. When the mixture is completely melted add the remaining ingredients and cook for 5-6 minutes so that all the flavors are released. Place the mixture to the side to cool.

2.Remove the top third of the apples and dig out the core making sure not to go all the way through the apples.

3.Spoon the cooled mixture (minus the vanilla bean) into the apple cavities, mounding it.

4.Arrange apples in a baking dish just large enough to hold them.

5.Bake apples in the middle of a preheated 375 degree oven, basting with accumulated syrup once or twice, for 35 to 40 minutes, or until they are tender.

6.Baste the apples with syrup, transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon.

7.Serve with vanilla ice cream and the reserved syrup.