“Good food ends with good talk.”
Geoffrey Neighor
When BBC Good Food India wrote to me saying they would like to feature Passionate About Baking as their blog of the month, my heart skipped a beat! BBC Good Food UK is one of my favourite magazines, and their newsletter is one I eagerly await in my mailbox. This time around BBC Good Food was all set to enter the Indian market. I created these Apple Brown Sugar Meringue Pies for the feature!
I love the way BBC Good Food follows seasons, is full of refreshing new takes on meals and recipes while offering you traditional fare alongside. The first issue of the India edition is pack to the gills with FOOD … ♦ eat in ♦ eat out ♦ eat away ♦.
The inaugural issue has over a 100 triple tested . Turn the pages to find mouthwatering standout Pan Asian, no fuss Mediterranean, stunning desserts, delicious one pots {veggie}, everyday value meals … and Gordon Ramsay’s panna cotta’. The cover tempts you with the words … Life is Sweet!
To learn more about BBC GoodFood India you can stop by here and here. Also do join the BBC Good Food India survey which comes with the promise of great rewards. One lucky participant stands to win a culinary holiday to the Fontana fredda vineyards in Italy. Other prizes include a gift pack containing a voucher for two for a great dining experience at any of three fabulous restaurants in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore – Olive Bar & Kitchen, Manchester United Café and Aromas of China.
Not so long ago I made an Upside Down Mango Quark Cheseecake inspired from a recent issue of the BBC Goodfood newsletter. For my feature in the magazine, I decided to go with apples since they spell the essence of the season for me. I made these little pies, topping them with brown sugar meringues because I find meringues entirely charming!
Apples suddenly seem to offer me never ending inspiration and each time I look at them, I think of the million possibilities. I had some whites on hand {waiting for macarons that didn’t take shape}, so I toyed with an apple version of the lemon meringue pie. The pies were fun, delicious fun!
Each bite was full of autumnal warmth … apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, walnuts. Can’t go wrong with those flavours this season, can you? The brown sugar meringue reminded me of little Cocos tufts on her head. She’s always around … always curious!
Ingredients
3 tart green apples, peeled, cut into 8 slices each, finely sliced
Juice of 1 lime
½ cup sugar
1 tbsp all purpose flour
½ tsp cinnamon powder
2 tbsp low fat cream
½ cup walnuts, chopped fine
1 tbsp unsalted butter {to dot the filling}
150gms digestive biscuits {ground into crumbs}
50gm unsalted butter, melted, cooled
2 egg whites
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
4 tbsp demerera sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C. Keep 6 3” loose bottom tart tins ready.
- Toss all the filling ingredients except the butter in a large bowl, making sure the apple pieces are coated well. {The apple pieces should be small and thin as we are making small pies}. Reserve.
- Mix the cookie crumbs with melted butter, and divide between the tart tins. Press halfway up the sides and cover the bottom, pressing gently but firmly into place.
- Divide the filling equally between the 6 tart tins. Dot with butter, cover the tins with foil, place on a cookie tray and bake for 35 minutes at 190C.
- When there are 5 minutes to go, prepare the brown sugar meringue topping.
- Beat the whites with the cream of tartar until they hold soft peaks. Gradually add the brown sugar, a tbsp at a time, and continue to beat till the meringue holds stiff peaks and is very firm.
- Take the tray out of the oven, and remove the foil. Reduce the oven temperature to 180C.
- Divide the meringue filling equally between the tart tins, making sure it seals the hot filling completely to the edges. Make peaks with the back of an offset spatula and return to the oven.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown {watch closely to ensure the brown sugar meringue doesn’t burn}. Cool the pies on a rack, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
This recipe is off to “Cook.Eat.Delicious-Desserts!” @ Simply Food where the month’s theme is Apples .
Don’t miss a post 
Also find me on The Rabid Baker, The Times of India
What a huge honor Deeba! And very well deserved…these look fantastic. Unique, delicious, and the presentation is gorgeous.
Heavenly pies! Really dreamlike. This version is just fabulous.
Cheers,
Rosa
What a delicious pie recipe! It’s really good one. I will try this soon. Thanks for sharing.
Meatloaf´s last [type] ..Simple Meatloaf Recipe
Wow! What an honor Deeba! Congrats , very well deserved, proud of you! Wish you many many such more to come!
The pies look charming, the dusting of powdered sugar reminds me of Christmas!
Suma´s last [type] ..Best Cocoa Brownies
I don’t even know where to start… you are so amazing, Deeba! Congratulations on your blog being featured at BBC Good Food India! You really deserve to be there, as everything you do is indeed “passionate”. These little apple pies are to die for, I’m sure! Coco is so cute, as always
Congratulations!
Renata´s last [type] ..PÃO DE CENTEIO e um agradecimento
Congratulations Deeba, very well deserved, proud of you! Its truly an honor to have your blog featured on BBC Good Food India, wish you many many more such to come!
The pie looks charming, powdered sugar rained on it looks Christmassy…
Suma´s last [type] ..Best Cocoa Brownies
i checked bbc gf india issue a week back, i was jumping on seeing your blog snapshot, glad for you, you deserve, i like your unique photo styling!!
Wow, congrats! Well deserved, Deeba.
Miriam/The Winter Guest´s last [type] ..School of tapas: Ibérico ham and figs on potato nests
Wowo congragulations Deeba. I am sure soon one of these days you will get to have your own TV Baking show. I do hope you will get there as you are one passionate baker sweetie.
Happy Cook / Finla´s last [type] ..Cherry Macaron With Heering Cherry Liqueur
apples give me inspiration too! I’m actually mesmerised by the filling you used…
Wow, wonderful (though not surprising) that you made it to BBC Good Food! Congrats!
The pies are indeed charming!
Indu´s last [type] ..Coconut and Khoya Pastries
Well done Deeba! You definitely deserve the honour. And I like the sound of these pies, they are very autumnal.
shaz´s last [type] ..Not to be trifled with.
Congrats Deeba! You totally deserve it
I saw your feature in the magazine and was so happy! Yours according to be is one of the BEST blogs of India! You should consider opening a baking school really… I would be so happy to join
chinmayie @ love food eat´s last [type] ..Tofu, Peppers & Green Pigeon Pea Salad
Kudos, Deeba! You deserve it!
These individual pies look divine. I love the crust and the idea of the brown sugar meringue on top is perfect!
Barbara´s last [type] ..Thanksgiving Dinner: Roasted Turkey Roulade
Congrats Deeba and what a luscious dessert!
Lora´s last [type] ..Peanut Butter Cup Sticky Rolls
Congratulations I am so excited for you. What a beautiful pie you made. So glad many people in India will get the chance to discover your blog.
Helene´s last [type] ..Gourmet Gifts Book – Dinah Corley
Woohooo!!! What an honor and a well earned one! Congratulations Deeba!
Congratulations and so well deserved, you do such amazing things! Love those warm fall flavors!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen´s last [type] ..Cooler Cleanse and BluePrintCleanse 3 Day Cleanse Giveaway
Congrats Deeba, you truly deserve every bit of it. Love the apple pies…beautiful delicious looking creations indeed as always.
Those look so delicious I would like to run back home to my kitchen to try them out.
Compliments on your beautiful impressive blog!
Greetings from Belgium,
Marian
Marian´s last [type] ..Roze macarons de Paris
Gorgeous little pies, super reinvention of lemon meringue. My dad would love these!
Sarah, Maison Cupcake´s last [type] ..Baking with Children: Perfect Pudsey Bear cookies
Congratulations, D! Certainly well deserved. Making apple meringue pies is just genius
Avanika {Yumsilicious Bakes}´s last [type] ..Blueberry Breakfast Cake
lovely clicks
Beautful dessert awesome clicks. Please do send this to C.E.D.D Apples an event I am currently guesting hosting.
http://www.simplysensationalfood.com/2011/11/announcing-event-desserts-with-apples.html
simply.food´s last [type] ..Masala Corn on the cob in peanut and coconut gravy.
After reading your blog post I browsed your website a bit and noticed you aren’t ranking nearly as well in Google as you could be. I possess a handful of blogs myself and I think you should take a look here: http://dominateseowithwordpress.com You’ll find it’s a very nice tool that can bring you a lot more visitors. Keep up the quality posts