Savory Vegan Sausage Baked Apples

Ingredients:

Baked Apples:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup finely diced carrot, celery, and white or yellow onion (about 3 scant tablespoons each)

1/4 teaspoon sea salt or to taste

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup plant-based sausage crumbles, sage-flavored tempeh bacon, or something similar

1/2 cup cooked rice or riced cauliflower

1/2 cup Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 to 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning or rubbed sage

4 medium sweet-tart apples

Smokey Maple-Tahini Sauce (recipe follows)

Garnish: fresh sage leaves

Directions:

In large skillet over medium-low, heat olive oil. Add carrot, celery, and onion and sauté, stirring frequently, until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Adjust heat if necessary.

Stir in plant-based sausage crumbles, and sauté, stirring, until heated through. Stir in cooked rice, Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese, garlic and onion powders, and poultry seasoning until cream cheese melts. Taste and add salt if desired.

Slice tops of apples off about 1/2 inch down from stems. With a spoon, scoop out inside of apples, leaving an approximate 1/4-inch shell. Place apples in microwave-safe dish, stuff each with 1/4 of sausage mixture, replace tops, and microwave for approximately 5 minutes or until very tender, checking after 2 minutes and then at 1-minute intervals.

While apples cook, make Smokey Maple-Tahini Sauce. Serve immediately, drizzled with sauce, and garnish with fresh sage leaves.

Ingredients:

Smokey Maple-Tahini Sauce:

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon tahini

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon maple syrup

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon water

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Directions:

In small bowl, whisk together all ingredients until fully combined, smooth, and creamy. Cover with plastic wrap and warm for 30 seconds in microwave or until heated to your liking.

*Created exclusively for Tofutti Brands, Inc. by Betsy DiJulio of The Blooming Platter.