Southern Fried Apples Recipe

Fried apples... My first thought was "eeew!" When I came across fried apples on various trips in the South. And then I tried a bite. Mmmm...tender apple, sweet salty caramel...what isn't there to like? 

The recipe itself is rather basic - a true classic. I tweaked the spices a bit, but otherwise it is what it is (smile). 

Southern Fried Apples in Caramel Sauce

6 medium-sized tart apples
4 Tbs bacon fat or butter (I used butter)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt if you are not using bacon fat
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cardamom
1/2 tsp allspice (or use 2 tsp apple pie spice in place of the other spices)
1 tsp lemon juice

Method:

Peel and slice the apples. Toss with a tsp of lemon juice to avoid browning.

Melt the butter in a large frying pan. Add the brown sugar and spices. Stir well until the sugar had melted, creating a caramel sauce. Add the apples, gently stirring to coat with the caramel sauce. Cook for approx 10 minutes over a low heat, until the apples are tender. 

If the sauce has become very thin, raise the heat for a minute of two to cook off some of the liquid, and thicken the sauce. It isn't meant to be very think, like caramel syrup for ice cream, tho!

Serve warm as a side dish with pork...or skip dinner and serve on its own or with vanilla ice cream!