Recipe

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• 1 lemon (about 1/4 lb.)
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 lb peeled, cored golden delicious apples
• 2 tbsp apricot-flavor brandy , brandy , or orange juice
• 1/2 tsp fresh grated or ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup apricot jam

• 1 Rinse lemon, slice off and discard ends, then cut fruit crosswise into paper-thin slices, and discard seeds.
• 2 In a 10- to 12-inch nonstick frying pan over high heat, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add lemon and cook for 1 minute. Drain. Repeat step.
• 3 In pan, combine lemon and 1/4 cup sugar. Stir often over medium-high heat until liquid evaporates, 4 to 5 minutes; take care not to scorch fruit.
• 4 Cut apples lengthwise into 3/4-inch slices. In a 10-inch-wide (about 8-cup) round quiche dish or shallow casserole, snugly arrange apples in a single layer. Tuck lemon pieces among apple slices. Spoon brandy over fruit. Mix remaining 2 tablespoons sugar with nutmeg, and sprinkle evenly over fruit.
• 5 Bake in a 450° oven until fruit edges are tinged with dark brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
• 6 Stir apricot jam to soften; dot evenly over fruit.
• 7 Return dish to oven and bake until jam is bubbling, about 5 minutes. Spoon portions onto plates.