Baked Apples with Caramelized Onion, Thyme, and Bacon

In homage to the start of apple season, I decided to give this recipe a whirl. R.B. and I visited his grandparents a few weeks ago and his grandmother gave me this recipe. She thought it was the strangest idea to put apples, onions and bacon together and wanted me to try to it and see if it was good. I have to admit I was a little skeptical, but since it came from the Springfield newspaper, I figured they might know what they are talking about, not to mention I love putting salty and sweet together (chocolate covered pretzels anyone?).

Despite the fact that a baby goat walked out of the vet’s office as Lilly and I were walking in last week (seriously), I have had a hard time finding some good, fresh goat cheese around here. I substituted Blue Cheese for it, which is R.B.’s favorite anyway.  This dish really puts savory and sweet together in a delectable and innovative way.

Baked Apples with Caramelized Onion, Thyme, and Bacon                                                                                                                     

Adapted from Springfield News-Leader, August 17, 2011

Serves 3

3-4 Gala Apples, cored and sliced

1 large Onion, cut into large chunks

1 tablespoon Brown Sugar

2 tablespoons Olive Oil

4 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme

5 Slices of Bacon

¼ cup Blue Cheese, crumbled

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place apples and onions in baking dish. Drizzle them with olive oil. Pull the leaves off the Thyme sprigs and sprinkle over apples and onions  Bake for 35-40 minutes or until desired doneness. While this is cooking, cook the bacon and drain it on a paper towel. Crumble the bacon. When apples and onions are done, sprinkle with bacon and blue chees and serve.